Year: 1915
Director: Charles Chaplin
Country: US
Language: N/A
By now, the tramp is an iconic character that has reached generations upon generations in nearly every country in the world. Infact he may be the most iconic characteintr in all of cinematic history. Created by Charles Chaplin by accident while he was working at Mack Sennett's Keystone Studios, the tramp stayed in the great silent comedian's repertoire from 1914's Kid at the Auto Races to 1940's The Great Dictator. In between this period in time he even had a film named after him.
Charlie is a tramp on the road. A hobo manages to exchange Charlie's sandwich for a brick so Charlie must eat grass. The same hobo molests a farmer's daughter; Charlie comes to aid with the help of the brick. When two more hobos show up Charlie throws all three into a lake. Further hilarity ensues.
Though we had seen the tramp in previous pictures, this film inserted great meaning into the clumsy offbeat character. With the tramp's failed attempt to win the girl and his final walk, with his back to us, down the road, Chaplin made his first serious attempt to inject real human emotion into his comedies. This dramatic element allows us to further empathize with the fellow with the funny moustache.
The Tramp is perhaps Chaplin's first film that hints at his love for the underdog, the common man (or in this case, woman) who is harassed by the bureaucratic state (or in this case, three bullies). He is a heroic figure, and although he doesn't always end up on a happy note, it's his ethical principles that are as endearing as his appearance.
While perhaps not the most entertaining of Chaplin's many shorts, it is a must see simply based on character development and historical importance. This tramp is a character that would earn Chaplin millions and make him an American sensation. I implore you to view it at least once.
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