10 -The Kid (1921) – Charlie Chaplin | Cinema the Magic Vehicle Podcast

Episode 10 -The Kid (1921) – Charlie Chaplin, Silent Comedy and the Birth of Feature-Length Film | Cinema the Magic Vehicle Podcast This is an excerpt from the book Cinema, the Magic Vehicle – A Comprehensive GuideJourney One: 1913–1950In this episode, we explore The Kid (1921) — Charlie Chaplin’s groundbreaking silent comedy-drama and his first feature-length film.Blending humor with heart-wrenching emotion, The Kid tells the story of Charlie the Tramp, who finds and raises an abandoned child amidst the hardships of Victorian London. Chaplin’s genius lies in balancing slapstick comedy with tender sentiment, creating a “bitter-sweet” style that would define his cinematic legacy.Featuring a remarkable performance by young Jackie Coogan and Chaplin himself, the film showcases meticulously crafted comic miniatures and innovative storytelling. Despite its simple plot, The Kid resonates with authenticity, reflecting Chaplin’s own childhood struggles and the realities of the urban poor.Praised for its emotional depth, humor, and technical precision, The Kid was a turning point in cinema — elevating the silent film from short comedic sketches to fully developed feature storytelling. It influenced contemporaries like Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd, setting new standards for narrative complexity in silent film.Based on Cinema, the Magic Vehicle by Jacek Klinowski and Adam Garbicz, this episode dives into the origins of Chaplin’s artistry, the social commentary behind his comedy, and the enduring magic of the Tramp.🎧 Subscribe to Cinema the Magic Vehicle Podcast for weekly journeys through the masterpieces that shaped film from 1913 to 1981.

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