About Pay Day

Pay Day is a black-and-white silent comedy movie released in 1922, which was written, produced, directed, and starred by Charles Chaplin. The film depicts a day in the life of a working man who struggles to manage his family, work, and leisure time. Chaplin's mastery of physical comedy and genius timing is evident in the film, rounding out a day's trials and tribulations with laughs and light-hearted fun. The film ends with Chaplin trying to make the bus stop only to be left behind, emphasizing the metaphor of the working class's constant hustle and struggle.

Making / Production

Pay Day was produced by the legendary comic actor, Charles Chaplin, under the banner of Charles Chaplin Productions. Shooting took place from January to March 1922 at the Chaplin Studio in Los Angeles.

Actors

• Charles Chaplin - Took the lead role as a laborer and was triumphant in portraying the everyday struggles with a touch of comedy.
• Phyllis Allen - Played the role of Chaplin's wife in the movie, she gave a notable performance as a dominating partner.
• Mack Swain - Appeared as a fellow worker and friend of Chaplin, adding a touch of camaraderie to the working-class narrative.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Despite the film being at the time the shortest he had made for First National Films, 'Pay Day' was one of Chaplin's personal favorites.
• This is Charles Chaplin's last two-reel (short) film, as he focused on feature-length films after this production.
• The film was initially going to be named "A Proletarian"

Quotes

• Being a silent film, 'Pay Day' does not contain spoken quotes as dialogues are expressed through body language, expressions, and visual cues.

Music, Soundtrack

• As a silent film, 'Pay Day' originally did not have a dedicated soundtrack. However, musical scores were often played live at viewings to enhance the cinematic experience.