The Kid

This week’s film is the opposite of a recent release. Charlie Chaplin’s first feature-length film is over a century old, and although it’s a silent film, it remains a charming and enjoyable comedy-drama.

When Chaplin’s iconic “Tramp” character finds an abandoned baby, he reluctantly takes him in, caring for him as his own. As the years pass, the Tramp and the boy, now a spirited five-year-old, develop a deep bond despite their poverty, making ends meet by working together.

But when the child grows sick, the authorities decide the boy needs care that the Tramp cannot provide, threatening to separate the inseparable duo. On top of that, the boy’s birth mother, now a wealthy actress, also seeks to reconnect with her lost son.

An engaging blend of drama and comedy, the film features Chaplin’s timeless sense of humor, unique slapstick gags, and clever visual storytelling. A classic treasure from one of Hollywood’s first legendary stars, the film is rated G and is family-friendly.

(There are two versions available; Chaplin himself reissued the film in the 70s, cutting some scenes of the mother that don’t really add much to the story.)

Runtime: 68 minutes (original) / 53 minutes (1972 reissue)
Rated G
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
IMDb Parents Guide
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