Making a Living is the first film starring Charlie Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin

Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, film director and composer best known for his work during the silent film era. He became the most famous film star in the world before the end of World War I...

. It premiered on February 2, 1914. Chaplin plays Edgar English, a lady-charming swindler who runs afoul of the Keystone Kops

Keystone Kops

The Keystone Kops were incompetent fictional policemen, featured in silent film comedies in the early 20th century. The movies were produced by Mack Sennett for his Keystone Film Company between 1912 and 1917. The idea came from Hank Mann who also played police chief Tehiezel in the first film...

.

Chaplin wore a large moustache and a top hat in this film, he also carries a walking cane. Whilst not "the tramp" the character is somewhat reminiscent of the tramp, having hat, cane, moustache and baggy trousers; his famed screen persona of "The Little Tramp

The Tramp

The Tramp, also known as The Little Tramp was Charlie Chaplin's most memorable on-screen character, a recognized icon of world cinema most dominant during the silent film era....

" did not appear until his next film, Kid Auto Races at Venice

Kid Auto Races at Venice

Kid Auto Races At Venice is a 1914 American-made motion picture starring Charlie Chaplin in which his "Little Tramp" character makes his first appearance.-Synopsis:...

.

It was written and directed by Henry Lehrman

Henry Lehrman

Henry Lehrman was an American actor, screenwriter and film director and producer.Born in Vienna, Austria-Hungary, Lehrman emigrated to the United States at a young age and although he is best remembered as a film director, he began his career as an actor in a 1909 Biograph Studios production...

.

Plot

Edgar English cons a journalist out of some money. He applies for a job at his newspaper. Whilst the journalist is helping a trapped motorist Edgar steals the camera with the picture of the accident and rushes back to the paper with it. He steals the headlines. A short pursuit with the police ensues.

Cast

• Charlie Chaplin
  Charlie Chaplin
  Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, film director and composer best known for his work during the silent film era. He became the most famous film star in the world before the end of World War I...
  
   - Swindler
• Virginia Kirtley
  Virginia Kirtley
  Virginia Kirtley was an American film actress of the silent era. She appeared in 55 films between 1913 and 1928.She was born in Bowling Green, Missouri, and died in Sherman Oaks, California.-Selected filmography:...
  
   - Daughter
• Alice Davenport
  Alice Davenport
  Alice Davenport was an American film actress. She appeared in some 140 films between 1911 and 1930.She was born Alice Shepphard in New York, New York, and died in Los Angeles, California. She made her stage debut at age five...
  
   - Mother
• Henry Lehrman
  Henry Lehrman
  Henry Lehrman was an American actor, screenwriter and film director and producer.Born in Vienna, Austria-Hungary, Lehrman emigrated to the United States at a young age and although he is best remembered as a film director, he began his career as an actor in a 1909 Biograph Studios production...
  
   - Reporter
• Minta Durfee
  Minta Durfee
  Araminta Estelle "Minta" Durfee was an American silent film actress from Los Angeles, California, possibly best known for her role in Mickey .-Biography:...
  
   - Woman
• Chester Conklin
  Chester Conklin
  Chester Cooper Conklin was an American comedian and actor. He appeared in over 280 films, about half of them in the silent era.-Early life:...
  
   - Policeman / Bum

External links

• Viewable and downloadable movie at archive.org