Monday, December 19, 2011

Pantomime troupe, circa 1920

I believe this is british pantomime troupe 'Leon Dodd's Super Entertainers', circa 1915-1920. Female impersonator John Armstrong Ryles is behind the Chaplin look-alike's right shoulder.

4 comments:

  1. This photo was taken from a sharing site flickr jory47.It was puting the question is this chaplin.I do not think anyone was impersonating him at the time.
    It also should have been taken around Whitly Bay North East England 1940,s

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  2. I published a selection on John Armstrong photos on Flickr jory47, this is one of them. I am curious to know if it is Charlie Chaplin in front row.

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  3. I published a selection on John Armstrong photos on Flickr jory47, this is one of them. I am curious to know if it is Charlie Chaplin in front row.

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  4. Hello! This photo is fascinating, and I am 100% positive it is not actually Charlie Chaplin. My estimate is that this is from the late teens, possibly 1917 or 18, judging from the clothing, the hairstyles, and the car to the right. My guess is that the Chaplin is a member of the performance troupe. It was quite common for the time to feature a Chaplin impersonation in a music hall or vaudeville revue, especially at the beginning of his character's worldwide popularity.
    ~DB

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