When Chaplin arrived at Keystone, Ford Sterling (head of the Keystone Kops, among other roles) was the top comic at the studio. By all accounts Chaplin spent his first few films being asked to act more in Sterling's frantic trademark Keystone style, and none more so than in this one. By the time "Mabel at the Wheel" was shot, Ford Sterling had left Keystone, and Charlie, who had spent the majority of his previous films dressed in his famous Little Tramp costume (even if the soulful, wistful characterisation thereof was yet to be created), not only was made up in the Dutch comic style of Ford Sterling (a false goatee to go with his false moustache) and given Ford Sterling's frock coat to wear, but the whole style of his performance, down to his facial expressions and physical mannerisms, echo Ford Sterling's established screen persona. There is hardly a trace of the tramp in this film, but Chaplin's imitation of Ford Sterling is a model of accuracy.
The film is more interesting than amusing. Some of the wide shots of the crowd at the race feature actual spectators visibly amused at the antics of the actors, which is always fascinating to see after so many decades of movies carefully framed and set-managed to avoid such things.
That said, there are a few funny moments, and one "special effects" (by the standards of the time) shot almost shocking in the unexpectedness of its technique, in which a tilting camera is used to create the illusion that one of the race cars is tipping over in the race.
The film is more interesting than amusing. Some of the wide shots of the crowd at the race feature actual spectators visibly amused at the antics of the actors, which is always fascinating to see after so many decades of movies carefully framed and set-managed to avoid such things.
That said, there are a few funny moments, and one "special effects" (by the standards of the time) shot almost shocking in the unexpectedness of its technique, in which a tilting camera is used to create the illusion that one of the race cars is tipping over in the race.