Albert Austin
Albert Austin (13 December 1881 or 1885 – 17 August 1953) was an actor, film star, director and script writer, noted mainly for his work in Charlie Chaplin films. He was the brother of actor William Austin. He was born in Birmingham, England, and was a music hall performer before coming to the U.S. with Chaplin, both as members of the Fred Karno troupe, in 1910. Noted for his painted handlebar mustache and acerbic manner, he worked for Chaplin's stock company and played supporting roles in many of his films, often as a foil to the star, and working as his assistant director. After the development of sound films, he moved into scriptwriting, directing and acting, chiefly in comedy short subjects. Among other things, he assisted Chaplin in developing the plot of The Adventurer (1917). However, he only received screen credit as a collaborator once, for City Lights. As an actor, he appeared in Chaplin's comedies for the Mutual Film Corporation. Later he had two brief, uncredited roles in one of Chaplin's 'silent' comedies made in the sound era, City Lights (1931). Austin is also seen very briefly (as a cab driver) at the beginning of Chaplin's short film One A.M.. He also appeared in movies starring Jackie Coogan and Mack Sennett. Austin's best known performance may be in Chaplin's short The Pawnshop. Austin enters the shop with an alarm clock, hoping to pawn it. To establish the clock's value, Chaplin dissects it. Austin maintains a deadpan expression as Chaplin progressively destroys his clock, then hands the pieces back to Austin. He had the leading role in Mary Pickford's Suds (1920), where he co-stars as a customer leaving his shirt at her laundry. In that film he appears without his comic mustache. In his final years he worked as a police officer at the Warner Brothers studios, according to a New York Times obituary. Description above from the Wikipedia article Albert Austin licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
The Kid
as Car Thief / Man in Shelter (uncredited)A tramp cares for a boy after he's abandoned as a newborn by his mother. Later the mother has a...
Movie pageThe Gold Rush
as Prospector (uncredited)A gold prospector in Alaska struggles to survive the elements and win the heart of a dance hall...
Movie pageCity Lights
as Street Sweeper / Burglar (uncredited)A tramp falls in love with a beautiful blind flower girl. His on-and-off friendship with a...
Movie pageThe Pawnshop
as Clock ClientA pawnbroker's assistant deals with his grumpy boss, his annoying co-worker and some eccentric...
Movie pageThe Circus
as Clown (uncredited)Charlie, a wandering tramp, becomes a circus handyman - soon the star of the show - and falls in...
Movie pageShoulder Arms
as American Soldier / Clean Shaven German Soldier / Bearded German SoldierAn American doughboy, stationed in France during the Great War, goes on a daring mission behind...
Movie pageThe Rink
as The CookAfter amusements working in a restaurant, a waiter uses his lunch break to go roller skating.
Movie pageA Dog's Life
as Crook (uncredited)The Tramp and his dog companion struggle to survive in the inner city.
Movie pageOne A.M.
as Le chauffeur de taxiA drunken homeowner has a difficult time getting about in his home after arriving home late at...
Movie pageTriple Trouble
as A ManAs Colonel Nutt is experimenting with explosives, a new janitor is joining his household. The...
Movie pageThe Cure
as Sanitarium AttendantAn alcoholic checks into a health spa and his antics promptly throw the establishment into chaos.
Movie pageThe Vagabond
as Trombonist (uncredited)A tramp tries to earn money by playing the violin, but he’s soon facing off against the jealous...
Movie pageThe Count
as Guest (uncredited)A tailor's apprentice burns Count Broko's clothes while ironing them and the tailor fires him....
Movie pageEasy Street
as Policeman / Preacher (uncredited)A derelict, huddled under the steps of a missionary church, feels enlightened by the sermon of a...
Movie pageThe Immigrant
as A Diner / ImmigrantAn European immigrant endures a challenging voyage only to get into trouble as soon as he...
Movie pagePay Day
as WorkmanA bricklayer and his wife clash over his end-of-the-week partying.
Movie pageThe Adventurer
as The ButlerThe daring convict no. 23, known as The Eel, escapes from prison and, after mocking his inept...
Movie pageThe Fireman
as FiremanFirefighter Charlie Chaplin is tricked into letting a house burn by an owner who wants to...
Movie pageBehind the Screen
as Stagehand (uncredited)During the troubled shooting of several movies, David, the prop man's assistant, meets an...
Movie pageThe Professor
as Man in flophouseProfessor Bosco, a poor flea trainer, rents a bed in a flophouse. Before going to bed, he...
Movie pageThe Floorwalker
as Shop AssistantAn impecunious customer creates chaos in a department store while the manager and his assistant...
Movie pageThe Chaplin Revue
as Various (archive footage)Three Chaplin silent comedies "A Dog's Life", "Shoulder Arms", and "The Pilgrim" are strung...
Movie pageThe Bond
as FriendA propaganda film created by Charlie Chaplin at his own expense for the Liberty Load Committee...
Movie pageThe Charlie Chaplin Festival
as Various Roles (archive footage)Four Chaplin shorts from 1917: The Immigrant, The Adventurer, The Cure, and Easy Street,...
Movie pageChaplin's Goliath
as Self (archive footage)A film about the tall actor who was most famous for playing the quintessential villain for...
Movie pageSuds
as Horace GreensmithAmanda Afflick is a lovesick laundress who daydreams about customer Horace Greensmith and...
Movie pageGrief
as uncreditedBegins with a child-cast parody of "The Kid." The Adams portion finds the guy chased about town...
Movie pageUnknown Chaplin
as Self & In Out-TakesA documentary series examining the film making methods and techniques of Charles Chaplin....
TV Show page