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Title: The Tramp (1915)
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Charlie is a tramp on the road. A hobo manages to exchange Charlie's sandwich for a brick so Charlie must eat grass. The same hobo molests a farmer's daughter; Charlie comes to aid with the help of the brick. When two more hobos show up Charlie throws all three into a lake. The grateful girl takes Charlie home where he fails as a farmhand. He again helps drive off the hobos (who are now trying to break into the house). The girl's fiance arrives. Though a hero, Charlie, knowing he must go, writes a farewell note and leaves for the open road. Written by Ed Stephan <stephan@cc.wwu.edu>
Although this was not the first film to feature Chaplin's iconic creation it is probably the one that crystallised the now instantly recognisable features of the role, from the odd side-footed walk and twirling cane to the dusty coat and outlandishly baggy trousers, and the iris-out ending shot of his unmistakable figure walking away from the camera. The tramp is also less spiteful and vicious towards others here – although he does give fellow-farmhand Paddy McGuire a pretty torrid time. In this one he saves farmer's daughter Edna Purviance from a gang of tramps out to steal her money, and is given a job by her grateful father on his farm. Although the film is by no means a classic it is superior to most of the movies Chaplin made at Essanay, and injects a hefty dose of pathos in its conclusion that was then new to the character but which will now be recognisable to all fans of his films.