There are little words needed to introduce who The Tramp is (though I’m sure there are theoreticians who can speak for an entire continent on the character’s meaning/social commentary/poop mannerisms/etc.), but THE KID (1921) gives a good first impression for those who have yet to acquaint with Charlie Chaplin on-screen. The film also marked the simultaneous kickstart and decline of Jackie Coogan (whose money fell victim to parents who share the same club membership as Aaron Carter’s) while familiarizing the audience with another questionable Chaplin trait in the form of his 12-year-old future wife. But strip away all of that and we can appreciate Chaplin’s 9-month solitary endeavor producer, director, and writer of this silent comedy drama. Most likely inspired by the death of his first child as well as his own childhood, Chaplin crafts an unlikely friendship between The Tramp (Chaplin) and an abandoned baby, who later becomes the 7-year-old Coogan that helps with his minor street crimes. Law intervenes and The Little Man finds himself fighting to keep his little man by his side.

THE KID (1921) dir. Charlie Chaplin [68 min.]
Friday, May 23 at 7 PM @ Brattle Theatre
$10 GA//$8 student//$7 senior