The Villain
Synopsis
In The Villain, Billy attempted something a little different. He's still imitating Chaplin, but this time he's playing the wicked, top-hatted Charlie found in some of his earliest Keystone appearances (e.g. Mabel at the Wheel), the ones where Charlie himself seemed to be imitating the studio's recently departed Ford Sterling. Throughout this short there is much spoofing of old-time melodramas, a frequent motif of Sterling's comedies.
Top Cast
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Release History & Theatrical Window
July 14, 1917
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Arvid E. Gillstrom
- Original Title
- The Villain
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- No Language
- Runtime
- 21m
- Production Studios
- King Bee Studios
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Arvid E. Gillstrom
Herman Obrock Jr.
Ben H. Cohen
Louis Burstein
Department Leadership Roster
Arvid E. Gillstrom
Director
Ben H. Cohen
Editor
Louis Burstein
Producer
Herman Obrock Jr.
Director of Photography
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Villain.
Featured In Curated Collections
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openvista
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Villain
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Villain about?
In The Villain, Billy attempted something a little different. He's still imitating Chaplin, but this time he's playing the wicked, top-hatted Charlie found in some of his earliest Keystone appearances (e.g. Mabel at the Wheel), the ones where Charlie himself seemed to be imitating the studio's recently departed Ford Sterling. Throughout this short there is much spoofing of old-time melodramas, a frequent motif of Sterling's comedies.
Who directed The Villain?
The Villain was directed by Arvid E. Gillstrom.
Who stars in The Villain?
The principal cast of The Villain includes Billy West, Oliver Hardy, Florence McLaughlin, Bud Ross, Ethelyn Gibson.
When was The Villain released and how long is it?
The Villain was released in 1917 with a total runtime of 21m.