When Charlie Chaplin left Keystone Studios for more money and greater creative control at Essanay Film Manufacturing Company, he added more depth to his character, more thought to his direction, and more substance to his humor: at Essanay, he grew from a comedian to a true cinematic artist.

This work carefully examines all sixteen Chaplin comedies produced at Essanay--from His New Job (1915) to Triple Trouble (1918)--showing the artist in transition from the knockabout Keystone farces to more refined, sometimes brilliant Mutual productions.