The Kid
For the record i watched the 53 minute version, that was the copy i found i wasn't even aware there was a 68 minute one until after i'd watched it. This was only my second Chaplin. It's really absurd that this is me just now watching a second as i first watched City Lights about three or four years ago and i'd say that it is one of my favourite films. I liked this, i prefer City Lights by a decent margin still because while i really liked the emotion in both i personally found City Lights alot funnier with the boxing scene still being the funniest thing i've seen in a silent film.
I really like how Chaplin ends up with the kid. Unluckiest man in the world in the wrong place at the wrong time then can't seem to get away from it. That's something i really like about the little i've seen of his films they seem to take place in their own little universe with completely absurd logic. I mean why wouldn't he tell the policeman he saw the child lying in the alley and he wasn't his haha. My favourite joke in this part is definitely the woman hitting him to the ground when he walks past her thinking he put the baby back in the pram with her child and Chaplin was strolling by none the wiser because he thought it was still with the guy he handed it to, the best thing about that is definitely the way he falls; really showcases his great talent for physical comedy. I also like the tie the shoe and run away gag, very obvious joke but again it's in the way Chaplin frames the joke, the way he moves and just how silly it comes across. It's really sweet when he takes to the baby while sitting on the curb, that's something you can't not love about his character; the tramp with a heart of gold as i've heard him referred to. He knows this is a burden he really can't handle being a tramp and all and he even briefly considers dropping it down the but he can't do it because in the end he is a good person despite his tough circumstances. Jesus christ that window scam was just so ridiculous i couldn't not crack up at it, Chaplin just so happens to walk by with windows 9 seconds after yours have been smashed and you don't qustion a thing?
Man is there an annoyed policeman character in everyone of these films haha? I liked the chase scene, it had very Looney Tunes-esque logic with Chaplin and The Kid just stopping and the policeman running right past them without noticing somehow. At times the film is so adorable, one of my very favourite parts was Coogan fighting the bully kid who stole his.. whatever it was then when Chaplin sees it he runs over and picks up the tiny coogan who is still attempting to fight while being held in mid-air. That full fight was great, mostly because of how small Coogan was and i loved Chaplin talking to him is his corner (the window)
. I also couldn't stop laughing during the big brother part, Chaplin sitting at the side shaking his head hoping Coogan will lose so he won't have to fight and especially him putting his foot on Coogan and counting him out.
Anway i've went on enough i think. Some of the actual story parts were a bit hard to swallow especially the mother bumping into the kid, it was a small thing though so really didn't bother me. There were some really sweet moments like the ending; with Coogan bursting out the door barely able to contain his excitement so happy to see The Tramp, i would agree with raul however that i didn't really like the dream sequence. Got to hand it to Jackie Coogan the kid was really good. If i'm honest i'm still getting used to judging silent film performances particularly of the non-Keaton/Chaplin less animated roles like Coogan's. Thought he did a very good job, the perfect sidekick. Completely bought into his and Chaplin's relationship which can't be an easy thing to put across in a silent film.Beautiful score, really helped make Chaplin and The Kid's scenes charming and/or touching.Really good film. Personally i'd have it bottom of the four Keaton/Chaplin films i've seen, only because i think all four had good drama but i didn't find it as funny as City Lights or The Cameraman and it didn't have the spectacle of the stunts in The General. Liked all of these so far, might check out a few more.