The Kid (1921) Director: Charlie Chaplin Studio: Charles Chaplin Productions / First National Pictures Starring: Charlie Chaplin (The Tramp), Jackie Coogan (The Kid), Edna Purviance, Carl Miller, Tom Wilson Release Date: January 21, 1921 Runtime: 53 minutes Format: Black & White | Silent | Intertitles | Live Action Country: United States Language: Silent (English intertitles) Genres: Comedy | Drama | Family | Silent Film | Classic Cinema --- Summary: The Kid is Charlie Chaplin’s first full-length feature film as director, and one of the most beloved classics of the silent era. The story follows Chaplin’s iconic Tramp character as he unexpectedly becomes the guardian of an abandoned infant. As the child grows into a clever and mischievous boy, the two form a bond built on love, survival, and resilience in the face of poverty. Blending slapstick comedy with heartfelt drama, The Kid is both humorous and profoundly moving. It explores themes of found family, poverty, social welfare, and compassion, all with Chaplin’s signature blend of whimsy and emotional depth. --- Background: Released in 1921, The Kid was a groundbreaking film in early cinema, combining comedy and pathos in ways that were rare at the time. It was written, directed, produced, and edited by Charlie Chaplin, who also composed the score for later re-releases. The film marked a turning point in Chaplin’s career, showing that comedy could carry emotional weight and dramatic storytelling. Jackie Coogan, only six years old at the time, gave a performance that catapulted him to fame and made him one of the first major child stars in Hollywood history. The Kid remains one of the earliest and most influential examples of a "dramedy"—a balance of humor and sentiment. --- Trivia: Chaplin was inspired to write The Kid after the death of his infant son with actress Mildred Harris. Filming took place over nine months—longer than most productions of the era—due to Chaplin’s perfectionism. The film was a massive success, becoming one of the highest-grossing movies of the 1920s. Jackie Coogan’s performance led to the creation of the "Coogan Law" to protect child actors’ earnings. In 1972, Chaplin re-released The Kid with a new musical score he composed himself. The film entered the public domain in the United States and remains widely available today. --- Hashtags: #TheKid1921 #CharlieChaplin #JackieCoogan #SilentFilm #ClassicCinema #PublicDomainFilm #FilmHistory #SlapstickDrama #TheTramp #FoundFamily #SilentComedy #HollywoodGoldenAge #Dramedy #VintageMovies #FirstNationalPictures #SilentEraGem #ChaplinMasterpiece #1920sFilm #IconicCinema #ChildStarDebut