The Tramp (1915)

The Little Fellow finds the girl of his dreams and work on a family farm.

Director:

Charles Chaplin (uncredited)

Stars:

Charles Chaplin, Billy Armstrong, Lloyd Bacon

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Charles Chaplin	...	Tramp

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

hobo | farm | farmhouse | fork | 

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Genres:

Short | Comedy

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 April 1915 (USA)

Also Known As:

Charlie on the Farm

Filming Locations:

Niles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Essanay Film Manufacturing Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

26 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was restored in 2014 through the Chaplin Essanay Project thanks to the financial support of The David Shepard.

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Goofs

Near the end of the movie, the note that "The Tramp" writes is shown twice. The two notes shown are in completely different handwriting and the word "good bye" is spelled differently.

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Connections

Referenced in Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)

User Reviews

A milestone for Chaplin, if not quite among the best

I am very fond of Charlie Chaplin, his films and shorts. And I do love The Tramp. I don't consider it the very best of his shorts, but I do understand its importance and significance, being the short to introduce the iconic character The Tramp. I quite like the comedy in the Tramp. While it is not among the most special or funniest of all the comedy in Chaplin's biography, there are some inspired gags especially the ones with the pitchfork and the bags of flour, not to mentions the bashings on the head with the mallet. The Tramp has a lovely and touching comical-love story and moves along quickly. Some might say that the short may have dated slightly, maybe so though if so I think it is part of the charm, but the photography is very nice with a beautiful and perhaps iconic closing shot and the short is very well-edited. Speaking of the ending, it is one of genuine pathos. Edna Purviance is a cute, sweet and charming love interest, but the real jewel in the crown is the performance of Chaplin who down from his appearance to his mannerisms is excellent as the tramp. All in all, maybe not among the best of Chaplin's efforts but still wonderful and a milestone as well. 9/10 Bethany Cox