A Burlesque on Carmen is a silent comedy film directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin, offering a lighthearted, satirical take on Georges Bizet's famous opera Carmen. In this 1915 production, Chaplin plays the character Darn Hosiery, a hapless and comically inept soldier who finds himself caught in the wiles of Carmen, portrayed by Edna Purviance. Carmen, a fiery and seductive gypsy, seeks to manipulate Darn Hosiery as part of her plans, but his over-the-top bumbling antics turn the serious tale of love and betrayal into a farcical escapade. The film uses Chaplin’s trademark slapstick humor, with exaggerated physical comedy, missteps, and pratfalls, turning the tragic romance of Carmen into a chaotic and hilarious adventure. It playfully mocks the melodramatic nature of the original opera, with Chaplin delivering exaggerated facial expressions and comical misunderstandings that parody the intense emotions of the source material. Originally released as a two-reel short film, A Burlesque on Carmen was later expanded into a feature-length version by the studio, with additional scenes added. However, Chaplin himself disapproved of the extended version, preferring the original cut. This early work showcases Chaplin’s growing mastery of physical comedy, his ability to mix highbrow cultural references with lowbrow humor, and his emerging talent for poking fun at serious works of art. As a blend of parody and slapstick, A Burlesque on Carmen remains a notable entry in Chaplin’s filmography, reflecting the playful side of his early career and his willingness to lampoon even the grandest of cultural institutions.