Open ClassicCINEMA
Back to the collection

OPEN CLASSIC CINEMA · 961

His Prehistoric Past

191421 minUnited States
Comedy

Synopsis

A nap on a park bench carries Charlie into a prehistoric kingdom, where his hat, cane and romantic ambitions survive the change of era. His interest in King Low-Brow's favorite wife leads to jealous rivals, rough friendships and a struggle for the throne. The dream turns royal power into another arena for Chaplin's physical comedy.

Watch the film ↓
Video edition
Wikimedia Commons
Original language
No spoken dialogue. Intertitles: not identified.
This copy runs
21:28
Subtitles
No subtitle track in this language

No spoken dialogue. Intertitles: not identified. No subtitle track in this language.

Languages and subtitles

No subtitle track in this language

Wikimedia Commons · Charlie Chaplin · Public domain

Cast

DirectorsCharles Chaplin

Historical context

Released in 1914, this was the final Chaplin short issued by Keystone. It places his familiar comic mannerisms in an imaginary Stone Age, using the dream setting to stretch the studio's usual fights and romantic rivalries into a parody of kingship.

Sources and availability

General references identify the work and its copy. A reference beside an editorial section is linked to the claims checked in that section.

Wikipedia — film referenceWikidata — film identity and credits

Work catalogued as public domain in the United States.

The public-domain references concern the original films in the United States. Rights can differ for other countries, editions, restorations, music or translations. Sources are listed on each film page.

Availability checked on September 15, 2026.

Photograph credit

Photographs cropped, resized and optimized as WebP, displayed in monochrome.

Audience rating

Loading ratings…

Keep exploring

Collection