When watching a Billy West short, I've found that the best way to enjoy the film is not to compare him to the early Charlie Chaplin. This is very difficult, as he is trying to imitate Chaplin almost to the most minute of moves, but
Keeping this in mind (or out of mind), "The Hobo" is a fun little film.
It really doesn't add up, of course. For instance, West is, sight almost unseen, entrusted with selling train tickets and running an eatery, but you don't watch these things to see real life. In 1917, it was an escape; so it should be today.
If West had been the original and only tramp, it would have been an okay character. (Not a crucial aspect of filmed comedy, to be certain, but an amusement.) This film is made special by a fresh-faced Babe Hardy, though. His timing is very good, and it is fun to watch the man eat in this film.
If you enjoy silent comedy in the Music Hall tradition, and if you don't go into this expecting Chaplin (or the later Oliver Hardy, for that matter), you ought to like this one.
It really doesn't add up, of course. For instance, West is, sight almost unseen, entrusted with selling train tickets and running an eatery, but you don't watch these things to see real life. In 1917, it was an escape; so it should be today.
If West had been the original and only tramp, it would have been an okay character. (Not a crucial aspect of filmed comedy, to be certain, but an amusement.) This film is made special by a fresh-faced Babe Hardy, though. His timing is very good, and it is fun to watch the man eat in this film.
If you enjoy silent comedy in the Music Hall tradition, and if you don't go into this expecting Chaplin (or the later Oliver Hardy, for that matter), you ought to like this one.