The Kid is a 1921 American silent comedy drama film written, produced, directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin and features Jackie Coogan as his foundling baby, adopted son and sidekick. This was Chaplin’s first full-length film as a director. It was a huge success and was the second-highest-grossing film in 1921. Now considered one of the greatest films of the silent era, it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2011.
Synopsis – With much anguish, an unwed mother abandons her child, placing him in an expensive automobile with a handwritten note: “Please love and care for this orphan child”. Two thieves steal the car and leave the baby in an alley, where he is found by “The Tramp”. After some attempts to hand off the child to various passers-by, he finds the note and his heart melts. He takes the boy home, names him John and adjusts his household furniture for him. Meanwhile, the Mother has a change of heart and returns for her baby; when she learns that the car has been stolen, she faints.
Chaplin’s well known character of “The Tramp” was originally created by accident while Chaplin was working at Mack Sennetts Keystone Studios when dressing up for the 1914 short film Mabel’s Strange Predicament starring Mabel Normand and Chaplin.
Doors and bar open 11am. Coffee, Tea snacks and refreshments available. Movie screens 12 noon. $15 a ticket and free for kids 13 and under. No need to book get your ticket at the door. Film duration 68 minutes.