Director

Charlie Chaplin

United States of America | 1921 | 60 min | No Dialogue

• Producer Charlie Chaplin
• Production Company Charlie Chaplin Film Company/First National Exhibitors’ Circuit
• Screenplay Charlie Chaplin
• Cinematography Roland Totheroh
• Editing Charlie Chaplin
• Sound
• Cast Charlie Chaplin, Edna Purviance, Jackie Coogan
• Contacts

  The Chaplin Office

  office@charliechaplin.com

About the Film

Exactly a hundred years ago, in late 1920, Charlie Chaplin—who had only made short films until then—decided to venture into the world of feature film. He also opted to move away from his usual approach of pure comedy, and into a mixture of comedy and drama. While he was compelled to fill in the many extra minutes that he must film by adding another non-female character, he chose a child to accompany him in all the scenes of the film, basing the entire story on him. Hence, it was the birth of one of his most beautiful films— and perhaps one of the most powerful in silent cinema—The Kid.

Many years later, Chaplin would say that he had never in his life worried about his Tramp until The Kid came along, specifically because of the boy’s presence next to him. That child actor did not only share the spotlight, but perhaps even outshone Chaplin himself in some moments of performance. "I was only expected to make people laugh in the movie, but the boy had the audience laughing and crying at the same time!" With tears in his eyes, Chaplin recalled the incredible film that tells the story of a child abandoned by his mother to be found by The Tramp, who raised him and shared with him his life and adventures. There was something reminiscent of the works of Dickens in the tale, but it came purely Chaplinian, ushering in a new era for the phenomenal artist. Until this day, The Kid stands the test of time, ranking amongst the greatest works of film.

The only one who was not truly happy was Jackie Coogan, who played the kid and amazed the world. Despite his stardom in the movie, he did not achieve much success after that.

This, unfortunately, confirmed the Hollywood myth stating that it is impossible for child stars to succeed when they grow up. However, Coogan maintained that it was Chaplin who had destroyed his career after feeling threatened by him. He openly affirmed his belief, even to the great teacher himself when they met for the last time in Los Angeles in 1972. One of them was at the height of his greatness, while the other was still surviving an increasingly miserable ‘childhood.’

Ibrahim Al Aris