Title: Zepped Alternate Title: Zepped: Charlie Chaplin in the Zeppelins Release Year: 1916 (possibly 1917, depending on source) Starring: Charlie Chaplin (via reused footage) Country: United Kingdom Runtime: Approx. 7 minutes Language: Silent (with English intertitles) Genre: Propaganda, Surrealism, Animation, Comedy Short --- Overview: Zepped is a rare and unusual wartime propaganda short that combines recycled footage of Charlie Chaplin, stop-motion animation, and surreal sequences to promote British morale during World War I. It was created without Chaplin’s knowledge or involvement and was likely never officially released to the public. The film's rediscovery in the 2000s sparked interest as an artifact of early 20th-century propaganda and experimental animation. --- Plot Summary: There is no conventional narrative. Instead, the short features: Brief clips of Charlie Chaplin's Tramp character taken from his earlier films (The Tramp, A Jitney Elopement, etc.), edited into a new context. Stop-motion sequences involving Zeppelins, clouds, and animated maps, suggesting air raids or fantastical flights. Dreamlike imagery intercut with Chaplin’s antics, including scenes of him floating or interacting with airships. Propagandistic undertones portraying British ingenuity and mocking German air raids. The overall mood is whimsical and surreal, likely intended to distract or entertain wartime audiences and boost morale during the threat of Zeppelin bombings over Britain. --- Production & Rediscovery: Produced by anonymous or unknown British filmmakers, possibly linked to military propaganda efforts. Chaplin had no direct involvement and likely never saw the film. Discovered in 2009 in a nitrate film can in Lancashire; another print was found in 2011. Preservation efforts have since restored and digitized the film for historical study. --- Notable Aspects: Contains stop-motion animation, rare for the period in British cinema. A unique blend of live-action and animation predating later efforts like Who Framed Roger Rabbit. The use of Chaplin’s image without permission would be legally dubious today, but reflected the looseness of film copyright in the 1910s. One of the few surviving British WWI propaganda shorts involving animation. --- Cultural Significance: Zepped serves as an early example of psychological warfare and morale management through cinema. Its reuse of Chaplin’s image shows his global recognition even at the early stage of his career. The film is a time capsule of both media manipulation and early mixed-media storytelling. --- Trivia: The title Zepped is a slang term for being bombed or affected by a Zeppelin raid. Some sources claim it was never officially distributed and may have only been shown to select military or political audiences. The film is now part of the public domain and available through archives and online. --- Hashtags (Curated): #Zepped #CharlieChaplin #SilentCinema #WWIPropaganda #ZeppelinFilm #RareFilm #StopMotionHistory #ChaplinRarity #1910sCinema #EarlyAnimation #BritishFilmArchive #PublicDomainFilm #RediscoveredCinema #SurrealShorts #AnimatedPropaganda