The Little Tramp returns to Niles for the 2025 Charlie Chaplin Days on May 16–18: a weekend of films, trips and of course a Chaplin lookalike contest.
For those unfamiliar with the history of Niles Essanay Film Studio, the festival kicks off with an evening program on Friday, May 16: “The Little Tramp Comes to Niles—How did he get here?” Two Niles-made films with Chaplin cameos will be screened, and Chaplin experts Dominique Dugros and Marc Wanamaker will speak on the life of actress Oona Neil, both before and after her involvement with Chaplin.
Saturday’s activities include two diesel train rides through Niles Canyon, and a morning walking tour of Niles. A lineup of films at the Nickleodean theater to mark the 110th anniversary of Chaplin’s time at Niles, including an evening screening of The Gold Rush (1925).
For programs, Chaplin expert Nigel Dreiner discusses two short films where Charlie creates havoc on movie sets, and in the afternoon Marc Wanamaker shares behind-the-scenes images and tales of the Chaplin studio and Old Hollywood.
On Sunday, diesel rides switch to steam, and the programs will start off with “The Gold Rush and The General—How Chaplin and Keaton struck Cinematic Gold” by author Dan Kamin (currently finding a publisher for his next work, The General—Buster Keaton’s Comic Masterwork).
And the not-to-miss event is the Chaplin lookalike contest on Sunday afternoon—including video submissions for international fans of Chaplin and Niles. There will be costumes provided for those who want to suit up, or contestants can bring their own looks. As part of the contest, the winners will parade down the sidewalk along Niles Boulevard.
Silent film and documentary screenings will continue into Sunday afternoon. Plus, there’s the Saturday morning Niles farmer’s market to check out, the film museum at the historic theater, walking along Alameda Creek, and cafes and antique shops around downtown.
A full schedule is posted to the Niles Essanay website: nilesfilmmuseum.org.
