THE KID 🤩

“A picture with a smile – and perhaps, a tear.”

It is difficult to imagine what growing up poor and destitute 103 years ago must have felt and looked like. People had a much more close-mouthed, grin-and-bear-it type of attitude. My dad was born in 1900. He rarely expressed his emotions or his highs and lows. Growing up in his parent’s household, everyone was expected to survive, grasping to feed, clothe, and stay healthy any way they could. Sometimes, it would become imperative to give up their dreams to get through another day. Sometimes, it was necessary to lie and cheat to stay warm and fed. My dad had to quit school, change his age, and officially become three years older so he could drive a New York City bus and bring home more money to help his family. It was always one of his life’s regrets not to have the opportunity or time to finish school. He was a math whiz and wanted to be an accountant. On the side in Harlem, he would fight in boxing matches for extra cash. Again, he would have rather stayed in school. I often think about what could have been for him. 

Very few silent films can express what our society was going through over ten decades ago. Remember that “talkies” were not invented until 1926 (THE JAZZ SINGER). Each frame was pantomimed. When necessary, limited words or dialogue would be flashed across the screen in bold print. It had to be very precise, short, and simple. The general public did not have higher education, so it was geared for a fifth-grade reading level. The story relied on the talents of the actors to move the content and action forward. 

There is no doubt among most critics still today that the greatest of all during this period was Charlie Chaplin. His characterization of THE TRAMP was known and beloved across the world. He dreamed of creating a feature film at this time. He became the first. He was so confident he could succeed that he borrowed $500,000 and took 5 1/2 months to be THE KID’s producer, director, writer, musical composer, and leading star.  Many say it was a homage to his harsh childhood growing up within the cruel children’s protection agency. It is still considered a masterpiece. 

THE KID was a magnificent example of combining slapstick, comedy, and drama. Chaplin was the epitome of showcasing every emotional nuance necessary to keep the audience’s continuous interest. He was utterly beguiling. He walked like a penguin, twirled an unnecessary cane, dressed scruffy, and boasted a unique mustache and top hat, yet men and women adored him. But more importantly, the public believed every “word” that oozed out of his body. He is still talked about today among cinema professors as the greatest of all time. 

His child co-star in THE KID was Jackie Coogan, who much later in life became Uncle Fester in THE ADAMS FAMILY TV series. Jackie and Charlie often spent Sunday afternoons together at amusement parks for fun. Jackie’s dad, a working actor, became his acting coach at double Jackie’s $ 75-a-week salary. His dad, Jack, got his son to cry real tears during the scene where the cops and social workers were hauling him to the Work House by telling little Jackie he would take him there himself if he didn’t cry. It worked. But Jackie’s parents were not so kind and honest either. They stole all of his earnings as a child long before he was an adult. This is how the Jackie Coogan law came into effect in Hollywood to protect other child stars from losing their savings. Chaplin and Coogan’s scenes were filmed with loving care for each other. They remained friends throughout their lives.  

When watching THE KID, viewers must appreciate the fantastic and dangerous stunt work Chaplin always did himself. The Heaven scene with flying angels was spectacular for the period. The exact timing of the fights was outstanding. The rooftop chase was bold and treacherous. Audiences could cheer for the little guy to win over and over again. 

THE KID packs powerful punches of hope for humanity. It is a melodramatic classic of all time. It pulls together the many levels of suffering and grit we have endured. It clears a space where perhaps dreams can come true and where love, kindness, and second chances can happen. I hope that is true for my dad as well. I see him in this vast eternity back in school, working those numbers and grinning from ear to ear.  

THE KID is available on TCM.