This film is probably one of the best illustrations for why people who are simply famous should not presume to think they're as entertaining as they're famous. The film was made as an upcoming present to Lord and Lady Mountbatten's wedding in July of 1922. The film is more of a home movie with a flimsy storyline based on a few clumsy crooks after Lady Mountbatten's pearls. The names for these inept criminals must have sounded silly, even back then. Chaplin comes to the rescue with a wooden mallet and quickly dispatches each of the seedy characters, and little Jackie Coogan is even on hand briefly for who knows what reason. The film saw limited release, and it's a wonder Chaplin ever allowed it to persist years later when he was so particular about the quality of the films he made. This is a rare, historical oddity and nothing more. *1/2 of 4 stars.
Review of Nice and Friendly
