The Kid

The Kid (1921)

About The Kid

The Kid is a silent comedy-drama film authored, produced, directed, and featuring Charlie Chaplin, and co-starring Jackie Coogan. The film tells a heartwarming yet humorous story revolving around a little tramp who discovers a little orphan and brings him up. Five years later, their bond gets tested when the boy's biological mom re-emerges.

Making / Production

Despite being a silent film, the visual storytelling in The Kid is splendiferous. Compliance with the typical slapstick humor, the movie incorporates physical comedy and sentiment in perfect ratio. It was Chaplin's first full-length film and a huge commercial success, considering the production challenges that included Chaplin's divorce proceedings and the studio catching fire.

Actors

• Charlie Chaplin played the Tramp, who establishes himself as an adoptive father figure for the kid. Chaplin's role carries the film and proves integral to all its humor and drama.
• Jackie Coogan, the Kid, stars opposite Chaplin. His role tugs at the heartstrings as he executes the complex emotions with great efficiency.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• This is believed to be one of the first films that successfully blended comedy and drama.
• Chaplin and Coogan’s off-screen relationship also mirrored their on-screen one, as Chaplin became something of a father figure to the young Coogan.

Awards

Unfortunately, during the film's era, contemporary awards like the Oscars were not prevalent. But, it earned a place in the list of significant films by The Library of Congress in 2011.

Quotes

• "Remember, you're fighting for this woman's honor, which is probably more than she ever did."
• "A picture with a smile, and perhaps a tear"

Music, Soundtrack

• The original music for The Kid was composed by Charlie Chaplin himself, adding further proof of his multi-faceted talent.