The Kid (1921)

Director:

Charles Chaplin

Writer:

Charles Chaplin (written by)

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 | Boy | Semi Autobiographical | Directed By Star

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Carl Miller	...	The Man
Edna Purviance	...	The Woman
Jackie Coogan	...	The Child (as Jack Coogan)
Charles Chaplin	...	A Tramp (as Charlie Chaplin)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Albert Austin	...	Man in Shelter (uncredited)
Beulah Bains	...	Bride (uncredited)
Nellie Bly Baker	...	Slum Nurse (uncredited)
Henry Bergman	...	Professor Guido / Night Shelter Keeper (uncredited)
F. Blinn	...	His Assistant (uncredited)
Kitty Bradbury	...	Bride's Mother (uncredited)
Frank Campeau	...	Welfare Officer (uncredited)
Bliss Chevalier	...	Extra in Wedding Scene (uncredited)
Frances Cochran	...	Extra in Reception Scene (uncredited)
Elsie Codd	...	Extra in Alley Scene (uncredited)
Jack Coogan Sr.	...	Pickpocket / Guest / Devil (uncredited)
Estelle Cook	...	Extra in Wedding Scene (uncredited)
Lillian Crane	...	Extra in Wedding Scene (uncredited)
Philip D'Oench	...	Extra in Wedding Scene (uncredited)
Dan Dillon	...	Bum (uncredited)
Robert Dunbar	...	Bridegroom (uncredited)
Florette Faulkner	...	Extra in Wedding Scene (uncredited)
Rupert Franklin	...	Bride's father / Extra in Reception Scene (uncredited)
Sadie Gordon	...	Extra in Heaven Scene (uncredited)
Lita Grey	...	Flirtatious Angel (uncredited)
Frank Hale	...	Extra in Reception Scene (uncredited)
Martha Hall	...	Extra in Wedding Scene (uncredited)
Jules Hanft	...	Physician (uncredited)
Louise Hathaway	...	Extra in Alley Scene (uncredited)
Silas Hathaway	...	The Kid as a Baby (uncredited)
Flora Howard	...	Bridesmaid (uncredited)
Ed Hunt	...	Extra in Reception Scene (uncredited)
Lulu Jenks	...	Extra in Heaven Scene (uncredited)
Irene Jennings	...	Extra in Wedding Scene (uncredited)
Kathleen Kay	...	Maid (uncredited)
Grace Keller	...	Extra in Wedding Scene (uncredited)
Sarah Kernan	...	Extra in Wedding Scene (uncredited)
Raymond Lee	...	His Kid Brother (uncredited)
Walter Lynch	...	Tough Cop (uncredited)
V. Madison	...	Extra in Wedding Scene (uncredited)
Clyde McAtee	...	Extra in Reception Scene (uncredited)
John McKinnon	...	Chief of Police (uncredited)
Ethel O'Neil	...	Extra in Heaven Scene (uncredited)
Lew Parker	...	Extra in Heaven Scene (uncredited)
Charles I. Pierce	...	Extra in Wedding Scene (uncredited)
Laura Pollard	...	Extra in Heaven Scene (uncredited)
Evans Quirk	...	Extra in Wedding Scene (uncredited)
Esther Ralston	...	Extra in Heaven Scene (uncredited)
Granville Redmond	...	The Man's Friend (uncredited)
Charles Reisner	...	Bully (uncredited)
Henry Roser	...	Extra in Heaven Scene (uncredited)
J.B. Russell	...	Extra in Wedding Scene (uncredited)
George V. Sheldon	...	Extra in Reception Scene (uncredited)
Edgar Sherrod	...	Priest (uncredited)
Elsie Sindora	...	Bridesmaid (uncredited)
Minnie Stearns	...	Fierce Woman (uncredited)
Mother Vinot	...	Extra in Alley Scene (uncredited)
May White	...	Edna's Maid (uncredited)
S.D. Wilcox	...	Cop (uncredited)
Baby Wilson	...	Baby in Carriage (uncredited)
Edith Wilson	...	Lady with Baby Carriage (uncredited)
Tom Wilson	...	Policeman (uncredited)
Amanda Yanez	...	Extra in Alley Scene (uncredited)
Baby Yanez	...	Extra in Alley Scene (uncredited)
Elsie Young	...	Extra in Wedding Scene (uncredited)

Directed by
Charles Chaplin		(as Charlie Chaplin)

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Charles Chaplin		written by (as Charlie Chaplin)

Produced by
Charles Chaplin	....	producer (as Charlie Chaplin)

Original Music by
Charles Chaplin		(1971) (as Charlie Chaplin)

Cinematography by
Roland Totheroh		(uncredited)

Film Editing by
Charles Chaplin		(uncredited)

Art Direction by
Charles D. Hall		(uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Frank Powolny	....	assistant director (uncredited)
A. Edward Sutherland	....	assistant director (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
H. Wenger	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Jack Wilson	....	second camera operator (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Mother Vinot	....	seamstress (uncredited)

Music Department
Eric James	....	music associate (1971 release)
Eric Rogers	....	conductor (1971 re-release)
Eric Rogers	....	orchestrator (1971 re-release)

Transportation Department
Toraichi Kono	....	driver: Mr. Chaplin (uncredited)

Other crew
Charles Reisner	....	associate director
Nellie Bly Baker	....	secretary: Mr. Chaplin (uncredited)
Elsie Codd	....	unit publicist (uncredited)
Tom Harrington	....	assistant: Mr. Chaplin (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Charles Chaplin Productions

Distributors

• First National Pictures (1921) (USA) (theatrical)
• Max Glücksmann (1921) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Western Import Co. (1922) (UK) (theatrical)
• Universum Film (UFA) (1923) (Germany) (theatrical)
• D.U.K. Films (1957) (UK) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Suomi-Filmi (1957) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Adams Filmi (1978) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Viihde-Kuva (1982) (Finland) (theatrical) (16 mm)
• Playhouse Home Video (1985) (USA) (VHS) (For CBS/Fox Video)
• Key Video (1989) (USA) (VHS) (For CBS/Fox Video with "The Idle Class")
• Koch Vision (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• MK2 Diffusion (2001) (worldwide) (all media)
• Yleisradio (YLE) (2001) (Finland) (TV) (TV1)
• Warner Home Video (2003) (Netherlands) (DVD) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• Reel Media International (2004) (USA) (video)
• Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2004) (Finland) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Home Vídeo (2004) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Reel Media International (2005) (USA) (TV)
• Warner Home Video (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Reel Media International (2007) (worldwide) (all media)
• Vivarto (2008) (Poland) (all media)
• Park Circus (2010) (UK) (DVD)
• Park Circus (2010) (UK) (DVD) (Blu-Ray)
• Continental Home Vídeo (????) (Brazil) (VHS)
• Image Entertainment (????) (USA) (DVD)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

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

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (new music score) (1971) | Silent

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Denmark:7 (2003) | Norway:A | Sweden:Btl (cut) | UK:U | West Germany:o.Al. | Spain:T | Portugal:M/6 | South Korea:All | USA:Not Rated | USA:TV-G (TV rating)

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

Charles Chaplin Productions

Trivia:

Charles Chaplin suffered through a divorce from his first wife Mildred Harris while shooting this film.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: After the tramp chases on rooftop the two welfare workers who have captured and tormented Jackie, the scene ends with the Tramp and one of the workers fighting on the back of the workers' pickup truck. After kicking the second welfare man off the back of the pickup, the tramp makes a 'nonsensical' wave-good-bye as he and Jackie ride off to momentary safety. In reality Chaplin (also the director) is waving 'CUT' to cameraman Rollie Totheroh.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Troldspejlet: Episode #31.1" (2004)

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.