Charlie Chaplin - The Vagabond (1916)

The Vagabond (1916)

The Vagabond is a silent film by Charlie Chaplin and his third film with Mutual Films. Released to theatres on 10 July 1916, it co-starred Edna Purviance, Eric Campbell, Leo White and Lloyd Bacon. This film echoed Chaplin's work on The Tramp, with more drama and pathos mixed in with the comedy.

USA | English | Release Date: 10 July 1916 (USA)

Runtime: 24 min (restored) | 26 min

Silent | Black and White | Aspect Ratio: 1.33 : 1

Director: Charles Chaplin

Writers: Charles Chaplin, Vincent Bryan

Cast: 

Charles Chaplin - Saloon Violinist

Edna Purviance - Gypsy Drudge

Eric Campbell - Gypsy Chieftain

Leo White - Old Jew/Gypsy Woman

Lloyd Bacon - Artist

Charlotte Mineau - Girl's Mother

Albert Austin - Trombonist

John Rand - Trumpeter, Band Leader

James T. Kelley - Gypsy and Musician

Frank J. Coleman - Gypsy and Musician

After passing the hat and taking the donations intended for German street musicians Charlie heads for the country. Here he finds and rescues a girl from a band of gypsies, and falls in love with her -- but she's in love with someone else.

Continuity error: 

Charlie loses his hat outside the bar, is seen inside wearing it, then picks it up where he lost it when he leaves. When he escapes from the gypsy, he is hatless at first, but the next shot shows the hat suddenly back in place.

Watch for:

The camera and cameraman reflected in the car window as Edna is riding with the Artist.

The Vagabond represents quite an evolution for Chaplin. He had already proved himself the funniest comedian on screen and was already in the process of distancing himself from the crude and frantic slapstick of Keystone. With this film, more than any afore, he recreated the tramp as a character worthy of pity. Here begins the pathetic hero whom audiences could invest their emotions in. At Mutual, adding this drama to his refinements in his comedy, he created in the tramp, cinema's most endearing and recognisable icon.