Charlie Chaplin: The Tramp, Easy Street & The Immigrant

Arguably the most famous screen star of them all. Charlie Chaplin's tramp character is instantly recognisable across the world. But how many of us have actually ever seen any of his films? Here is your chance, as EUFS presents this trio of early Chaplin shorts.

Chaplin's rise was, quite simply, incredible.

From 1910-13 he made two tours of the USA as a member of a Fred Karno comedy troupe, earning $75 a week.

In 1914 he joined Mack Sennett's Keystone organisation, earning $150 a week. Over the course of the year Chaplin made 35 shorts within which he developed first his tramp character and then his directorial abilities.

In 1915 Chaplin moved to Essanay, earning $1250 a week. The first of today's shorts, The Tramp, dates from this period. It's important for showcasing the work of cameraman Roland Totheroh, with whom Chaplin would work over the next 30 years, and actress Edna Purviance, who would be Chaplin's leading lady in 35 films made over the next eight years.

In 1916 Chaplin moved once again, this time to First Mutual. He earned $10,000 a week, plus bonuses. The second and third of today's shorts date from the Essanay years, by which time Chaplin "had completely mastered the short form of cinematic farce". Both Easy Street and The Immigrant, with their tales of urban poverty and immigrants arriving in the Promised Land of the USA, show how well Chaplin knew his audience ­ the ill-educated urban masses ­ and how to communicate with them.

In 1918 Chaplin moved to First National, with a contract that made him the first screen millionaire and allowed him to build his own studio. He was only 29 years old.

Keith H. Brown
EUFS Programme 1998-99