Napoleon and Sally

About This Movie

Napoleon and Sally is a curious little piece from 1916, showcasing some early animal comedy with a pair of chimpanzees in the titular roles. The tone is playful, a tad absurd, leaning into the slapstick that was popular at the time. The pacing is brisk, as you'd expect from a short film, keeping the antics lively. Notably, the practical effects—if we can call them that—rely heavily on the natural behavior of the chimps, which adds a layer of unpredictability and charm to the performance. It’s a distinctive artifact of silent cinema, giving viewers a glimpse into early attempts at anthropomorphism in film.

Napoleon and Sally is quite rare in collector circles, likely due to its age and the ephemeral nature of silent shorts. This film has appeared in some vintage compilations but is often hard to find in standalone formats. As a piece of early cinema, it garners interest for its simplicity and charm, giving collectors a glimpse into the whimsical side of animal performances in film history.