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8.2/10
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The Tramp cares for an abandoned child, but events put their relationship in jeopardy.The Tramp cares for an abandoned child, but events put their relationship in jeopardy.The Tramp cares for an abandoned child, but events put their relationship in jeopardy.
Charles Chaplin
- A Tramp
- (as Charlie Chaplin)
Jackie Coogan
- The Child
- (as Jack Coogan)
Albert Austin
- Car Thief
- (uncredited)
- …
Beulah Bains
- Bride
- (uncredited)
Nellie Bly Baker
- Slum Nurse
- (uncredited)
Henry Bergman
- Professor Guido
- (uncredited)
- …
Edward Biby
- Orphan Asylum Driver
- (uncredited)
B.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
- (uncredited)
- …
Estelle Cook
- Extra in Wedding Scene
- (uncredited)
Lillian Crane
- Extra in Wedding Scene
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe off-screen chemistry between Sir Charles Chaplin and Jackie Coogan was just as strong as their onscreen relationship. Every Sunday, during the first few weeks of filming, Chaplin would take Jackie to amusement parks and pony rides and other activities. Some have seen Chaplin's relationship with Coogan as an attempt for Chaplin to reclaim his own unhappy childhood, while others have interpreted Chaplin's attention toward the boy as recasting Coogan into the child he had just lost.
- GoofsOn the rooftop, after the Tramp chases the two welfare workers who have captured and tormented John, 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 John ride off to momentary safety. In reality Charles Chaplin (also the director) is waving 'CUT' to cameraman Roland Totheroh.
- Quotes
Title Card: A picture with a smile - and perhaps, a tear.
- Alternate versionsA new version was reissued in 1972 with a new music score composed by Charles Chaplin, who also re-edited the film in order to omit a few scenes featuring the kid's mother.
- ConnectionsEdited into Histoire(s) du cinéma: Une histoire seule (1989)
Featured review
A Must-See Silent Comedy
While perhaps not as celebrated now as some of Chaplin's later features, "The Kid" is an excellent achievement and a thoroughly enjoyable film. Charlie and young Jackie Coogan make an entertaining and unforgettable pair, and there is a lot of good slapstick plus a story that moves quickly and makes you want to know what will happen. Chaplin also wrote a particularly good score for this one, and most of the time the music sets off the action very nicely.
While it's a fairly simple story, this is one of Chaplin's most efficiently designed movies. Every scene either is necessary to the plot, or is very funny for its own sake, or both. Except for Chaplin and Coogan, most of the other characters (even frequent Chaplin leading lady Edna Purviance) are just there to advance the plot when needed, and the two leads are allowed to carry the show, which they both do extremely well.
"The Kid" is also impressive in that, while the story is a sentimental one, it strikes an ideal balance, maintaining sympathy for the characters while never overdoing it with the pathos, which Chaplin occasionally lapsed into even in some of his greatest movies. Here, the careful balance makes the few moments of real emotion all the more effective and memorable.
This is one of Chaplin's very best movies by any measure. If you enjoy silent comedies, don't miss it.
While it's a fairly simple story, this is one of Chaplin's most efficiently designed movies. Every scene either is necessary to the plot, or is very funny for its own sake, or both. Except for Chaplin and Coogan, most of the other characters (even frequent Chaplin leading lady Edna Purviance) are just there to advance the plot when needed, and the two leads are allowed to carry the show, which they both do extremely well.
"The Kid" is also impressive in that, while the story is a sentimental one, it strikes an ideal balance, maintaining sympathy for the characters while never overdoing it with the pathos, which Chaplin occasionally lapsed into even in some of his greatest movies. Here, the careful balance makes the few moments of real emotion all the more effective and memorable.
This is one of Chaplin's very best movies by any measure. If you enjoy silent comedies, don't miss it.
helpful•904
- Snow Leopard
- Mar 4, 2002
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Also known as
- The Waif
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $250,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $41,979
- Runtime1 hour 8 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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