The Kid (1921)

Director:

Charles Chaplin

Writer:

Charles Chaplin (writer)

Release Date:

6 February 1921 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Family

Tagline:

This is the great film he has been working on for a whole year

Plot:

The Tramp cares for an abandoned child, but events put that relationship in jeopardy.

Plot Keywords:

Baby | Orphan | Foundling | Broken Window | Angel

Cast

Carl Miller	...	The Man
Edna Purviance	...	The Woman
Jackie Coogan	...	The Kid (as Jack Coogan)
Charles Chaplin	...	A Tramp (as Charlie Chaplin)

Also Known As:

Brzdac (Poland) [pl]
Chaplinin poika (Finland) [fi]
Chaplins pojke (Sweden) [sv]
Der Vagabund und das Kind (Germany) [de]
El chico (Spain) [es]
El xicot (Spain: Catalan title) [ca]
Il monello (Italy) [it]
Le Kid (France) [fr]
Le gosse (France) [fr]
O Charlot kai to hamini (Greece) (reissue title) [el]
O Garoto (Brazil) [pt]
O Garoto de Charlot (Portugal) [pt]
O mortakos (Greece) [el]
To hamini (Greece) (reissue title) [el]

Runtime:

68 min | 50 min (1971 edit with new Chaplin score) | Germany:54 min

Country:

USA

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (new music score) (1971) | Silent

Certification:

Spain:T | Portugal:M/6 | South Korea:All | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Denmark:7 (2003) | Norway:A | Sweden:Btl | UK:U | West Germany:o.Al.

Filming Locations:

Chaplin Studios - 1416 N. La Brea Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Charles Chaplin Productions

Trivia:

The main theme from Charles Chaplin's score is based on a theme from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphony.

Goofs:

Continuity: When The Tramp finds the baby while sitting in the sidewalk, he leaves his stick by his right side. After the shot of the baby's mother's letter, there is no stick by Tramp's side, and after another shot, it appears again and in a different position.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Masumiyet (1997)

One Of The Most Memorable Silent Films Ever

Wow, is this a memorable film! It is one of the most famous silent movies ever and justifiably so. That fact that it still entertains over 80 years after it was made is quite a testimony.

It is a wonderful blend of humor and drama. Charlie Chaplin's unique humor, combined with an involving storyline and strong sentimentality make this one to remember. Chaplin's humor ranges from pure slapstick to some clever stunts.

The "kid" - Jackie Coogan - is just as memorable, maybe even more so. He is unbelievably cute, especially in those old-time clothes he wore. Watching the expressions on his face, even as a baby, are fascinating and facial expressions certainly were a trademark of the silent era.

So, between Chaplin and Coogan, and a very involving story that can break your heart one minute and have you laughing out loud the next, it's an amazing piece of work. This is a very fast-paced story which lasts less than an hour.

The special edition two-disc DVD has a restored version of the print so the picture is very clear, actually astounding for its age. Excellent entertainment.