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The Tramp
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The Tramp (Charlot in several languages), also known as The Little Tramp, was British actor Charlie Chaplin's most memorable on-screen character and an icon in world cinema during the era of silent film.The Tramp, as portrayed by Chaplin, is a childlike, bumbling but overall good-hearted character who is most famously portrayed as a vagrant who endeavors to behave with the manners and dignity of a gentleman despite his actual social status. However, while he is ready to take what paying work is available, he also uses his cunning to get what he needs to survive and escape the authority figures who will not tolerate his antics. Chaplin's films did not always portray the Tramp as a vagrant, however. The character ("The Little Fellow," as Chaplin called him) was rarely referred to by any names onscreen, although he was sometimes identified as "Charlie" and rarely, as in the original silent version of The Gold Rush, "The Little funny Tramp".
Best films
(1925)Played by the actors
Filmography of The Tramp (21 films)
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Chaplin (1992)
, 2h23Directed by Richard Attenborough
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Biography, Comedy-drama
Themes Films about films, Films about television
Actors Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Hopkins, Geraldine Chaplin, Moira Kelly, Dan Aykroyd, Penelope Ann Miller
Rating74%
The film is structured around lengthy flashbacks as the elderly Charlie Chaplin (Robert Downey, Jr.) (now living in Switzerland) recollects moments from his life during a conversation with fictional character George Hayden (Anthony Hopkins), the editor of his autobiography. Chaplin's recollections begin with his childhood of extreme poverty, from which he escapes by immersing himself in the world of the London music halls, after which he relocates to the United States.
The Chaplin Revue (1959)
, 1h59Directed by Charlie Chaplin
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy
Actors Charlie Chaplin, Albert Austin, Henry Bergman, Sydney Chaplin, Edna Purviance, Tom Murray
Rating76%
City Lights (1931)
, 1h27Directed by Charlie Chaplin
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy, Comedy-drama, Romance
Themes Medical-themed films, Sports films, Boxing films, Films about disabilities, Le boxe anglaise, La cécité
Actors Virginia Cherrill, Florence Lee, Harry Myers, Florence Lee, Charlie Chaplin, Al Ernest Garcia
Rating84%
The officials of a city unveil a new statue, only to find The Tramp sleeping on it. They shoo him away and he wanders the streets, destitute and homeless, and is soon tormented by two newsboys. He happens upon a beautiful Flower Girl (Virginia Cherrill), not realizing at first that she is blind, and buys a flower. Just when she is about to give him his change, a man gets into a nearby luxury car and is driven away, making her think that the Tramp has departed. The Tramp tiptoes away.
The Circus (1928)
, 1h10Directed by Charlie Chaplin
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy, Comedy-drama, Romance
Themes Circus films
Actors Al Ernest Garcia, Charlie Chaplin, Merna Kennedy, George Davis, Henry Bergman, Tiny Sandford
Rating80%
At a circus midway, the penniless and hungry Tramp (Chaplin) is mistaken for a condemnable pickpocket and chased by both the police and the real crook (the latter having stashed a stolen wallet and watch in the Tramp's pocket to avoid detection). Running away, the Tramp stumbles into the middle of a performance and unknowingly becomes the hit of the show.
The Gold Rush (1925)
, 1h22Directed by Charlie Chaplin
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy, Adventure
Themes L'Or
Actors Georgia Hale, Mack Swain, Tom Murray, Charlie Chaplin, Malcolm Waite, Jack Adams
Rating80%
The Lone Prospector (played by Chaplin), a valiant weakling, seeks fame and fortune among the sturdy men who marched across Chilkoot Pass during the Klondike Gold Rush. The Lone Prospector's inoffensive patience and his ill-chosen garb make him the target for the buffoonery of his comrades and the victim of the merciless rigors of the frozen North. After he is caught in a blizzard, the icy clutches of the storm have almost claimed him when he stumbles into the cabin of Black Larsen (played by Murray), a renegade. Larsen is thrusting him out the door, back into the arms of death, when Fate, which preserves the destinies of simple children, appears in the person of Big Jim McKay (played by Swain). Jim subdues the renegade, and he and the Lone Prospector occupy the cabin while their unwilling host is thrust forth to obtain food. Starvation almost claims the two until a bear intrudes and is killed to supply their larder.
The Kid (1921)
, 1h8Directed by Charlie Chaplin, A. Edward Sutherland
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy, Comedy-drama
Themes Films about children
Actors Edna Purviance, Jackie Coogan, Charlie Chaplin, Carl Miller, Lita Grey, Tom Wilson
Rating81%
An unwed woman (Purviance) leaves a charity hospital carrying her newborn son. An artist (Miller), the apparent father, is shown with the woman's photograph. When it falls into the fireplace, he first picks it up, then throws it back in to burn up.
The Idle Class (1921)
, 31minutesDirected by Charles Reisner, Charlie Chaplin
Origin USA
Genres Comedy
Actors Charlie Chaplin, Edna Purviance, Mack Swain, Henry Bergman, Al Ernest Garcia, Lita Grey
Rating71%
The "Little Tramp" (Charlie Chaplin) heads to a resort for warm weather and a bit of golf. At the golf course, the Tramp's theft of balls in play causes one golfer (Mack Swain) to mistakenly attack another (John Rand). Meanwhile, a neglected wife (Edna Purviance) leaves her wealthy husband (also played by Chaplin) until he gives up drinking. When the Tramp is later mistaken for a pickpocket, he crashes a masquerade ball to escape from a policeman. There, he is mistaken for the woman's husband. Eventually, it is all straightened out, and the Tramp is once more on his way.
Sunnyside (1919)
, 34minutesDirected by Charles Reisner, Charlie Chaplin
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy, Romance
Actors Charlie Chaplin, Edna Purviance, Tom Wilson, Olive Ann Alcorn, Henry Bergman, Tom Terriss
Rating65%
Charlie works on a farm from 4am to late at night. He gets his food on the run (milking a cow into his coffee, holding an chicken over the frying pan to get fried eggs). His love interest in the village is the girl played by Edna Purviance. He loves her, but is disliked by her father. He rides a cow into a stream and is kicked off. Unconscious, he dreams of a nymph dance. Back in reality a city slicker is hurt in a car crash and is being cared for by Edna. He appears to have an eye for Edna too. Chaplin tries to win her back. When Charlie is rejected after attempting to imitate the slicker, the result is ambiguous—either tragic or a happy ending. Critics have long argued as to whether the final scene is real or a dream.
A Dog's Life (1918)
, 30minutesDirected by Charlie Chaplin
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy
Themes Films about animals, Films about dogs, Mise en scène d'un mammifère
Actors Charlie Chaplin, Edna Purviance, Sydney Chaplin, Charles Reisner, Albert Austin, Henry Bergman
Rating75%
Toujours errant, Charlot prend soin d'un chien blanc, lui aussi errant. L'animal le lui rend bien en chipant des saucisses et en creusant le sol où un portefeuille plein de billets a été enterré. le vagabond dépense l'argent dans un dancing mais les voleurs qui avaient précédemment caché le portefeuille comprennent qu'il l'a découvert et veulent le récupérer. Après une poursuite et des combats épiques, les voleurs sont arrêtés et Charlot peut épouser la jeune chanteuse rencontrée au dancing. Ils s'installent alors dans une ferme, veillant avec tendresse sur les chiots de l'animal qu'ils ont gardé avec eux.
The Immigrant (1917)
, 20minutesDirected by Charlie Chaplin
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy, Romance
Themes Seafaring films, Transport films
Actors Edna Purviance, Eric Campbell, Charlie Chaplin, Albert Austin, William Gillespie, Henry Bergman
Rating75%
The film begins aboard a steamer crossing the Atlantic Ocean, and initially showcases the misadventures of an unnamed immigrant, the Tramp (Chaplin) who finds himself in assorted mischief while, among other things, playing cards, eating in a mess hall, and avoiding seasick passengers. Along the way, he befriends another unnamed immigrant (Purviance) who is traveling to America with her ailing mother. The two are robbed by a pickpocket who is losing in gambling. The Tramp, feeling sorry for the two penniless women, attempts to secretly place his winnings from his card game in the woman's pocket, but ends up being mistakenly accused of being a pickpocket. The woman manages to clear the Tramp's name. Upon arrival in America, the Tramp and the woman part company.
In the Park (1915)
, 15minutesDirected by Charlie Chaplin
Origin USA
Genres Comedy
Actors Charlie Chaplin, Leo White, Edna Purviance, Lloyd Bacon, Bud Jamison, Billy Armstrong
Rating55%
A tramp steals a girl's handbag, but when he tries to pick Charlie's pocket loses his cigarettes and matches. He rescues a hot dog man from a thug, but takes a few with his walking stick. When the thief tries to take some of Charlie's sausages, Charlie gets the handbag. The handbag makes its way from person to person to its owner, who is angry with her boyfriend who didn't protect her in the first place. The boyfriend decides to throw himself in the lake in despair, so Charlie helps him out.
The Bank (1915)
, 15minutesDirected by Charlie Chaplin
Origin USA
Genres Comedy
Themes Films about the labor movement
Actors Charlie Chaplin, Charles Inslee, Edna Purviance, Lloyd Bacon, Carl Stockdale, Leo White
Rating65%
Charlot est concierge dans une banque. Mais ses maladresses et sa fainéantise ne font pas de lui un employé modèle. Fou amoureux de la secrétaire Edna, Charlot se lance et déclare sa flamme par un mot doux et une fleur. Mais très vite il découvre que ses sentiments sont loin d'être partagés. Malheureux, il se réfugie dans un cagibi et s'endort contre son balai.
Shanghaied (1915)
, 30minutesDirected by Charlie Chaplin
Origin USA
Genres Comedy
Themes Seafaring films, Transport films
Actors Charlie Chaplin, Edna Purviance, Wesley Ruggles, Bud Jamison, Leo White, Billy Armstrong
Rating60%
A ship owner intends to scuttle his ship on its last voyage to get the insurance money. Charlie, a tramp in love with the owner's daughter, is grabbed by the captain and promises to help him shanghai some seamen. The daughter stows away to follow Charlie. Charlie assists in the galley and attempts to serve food during a gale.
The Tramp (1915)
, 32minutesDirected by Charlie Chaplin
Origin USA
Genres Comedy, Romantic comedy
Actors Charlie Chaplin, Edna Purviance, Lloyd Bacon, Leo White, Paddy McGuire, Bud Jamison
Rating68%
The Tramp (Charlie Chaplin) finds the girl of his dreams and works on a family farm. He helps defend the farm against criminals, and all seems well, until he discovers the girl of his dreams already has a boyfriend. Unwilling to be a problem in their lives, he takes to the road, though he is seen skipping and swinging his cane as if happy to be back on the road where he knows he belongs.
His Musical Career (1914)
, 16minutesDirected by Charlie Chaplin
Origin USA
Genres Comedy
Themes Films about music and musicians, Films about the labor movement, Musical films
Actors Charlie Chaplin, Mack Swain, Charley Chase, Fritz Schade, Frank Hayes, Cecile Arnold
Rating59%
Charlie and his partner Mike work at a piano store, whose manager orders them to deliver a piano to Mr. Rich at 666 Prospect Street and repossess one from Mr. Poor at 999 Prospect Street. Hilarity ensues when they do exactly the opposite after mixing up the addresses of their customers.