A Dog's Life (Silent)

The Tramp is broke and on the street, starving for food. The last thing he wants is another mouth to feed, but that's exactly what he gets when he finds a stray pup. "Scraps", as Charlie calls him, turns out to be useful in nabbing food for the duo. While huddling inside a burlesque hall for warmth, Charlie meets a pretty dancer and immediately wants to settle down with her, despite his current lack of housing. Scraps finds an abandoned wallet that makes the Tramp's dreams come true. But when the billfold's real owner comes calling, Charlie might not just lose his new lifestyle, but his best friend, too...

A Dog's Life is the first film Charlie Chaplin made for First National, after a fierce bidding war between the studio and Chaplin's former home at the Mutual Company. Both offered Charlie a million dollars, but First National did one better by offering him a fifteen thousand dollar "bonus" for signing with them, in addition to complete creative control. There was a catch, however - Chaplin had to be his own producer and "eat" the cost of each movie. Since Charlie was known for shooting footage far in excess of what was needed for one picture, his "bonus" from First National quickly evaporated. This was also the first time Charlie appeared onscreen with his brother, Syd Chaplin. If publicity of the era is to be believed, the dog that served as Chaplin's co-star in the film became so attached to Charlie during filming that when he left to embark on a LIberty Bond tour immediately after production, the dog died of a broken heart!

PLUS BONUS SHORTS:

THE CURE (1917): Chaplin plays a drunk who checks into a rehab clinic. He doesn't realize bringing along a few bottles is prohibited.

THE FIREMAN (1916): Charlie is an inept fireman who finds the courage to rescue Edna Purviance from a burning building.

THE RINK (1916): After getting fired from his job as a waiter, Charlie tries to become a professional ice skater - with disastrous results!

• silent