Chaplin's Films

Chaplin's Films

Chaplin made a total of 81 films during his more than 50 years in the movie business.

Keystone -- 1914

He started out when he got hired by Mack Sennet in 1913. Sennet was the head of the Keystone Film Company located in California and was the king of film comedy at that time. Here he created his famous tramp character, in just his second film! He also began his directing career here too. He also made the first feature length comedy here called "Tillie's Punctured Romance" with Mabel Normand and Marie Dressler.

Essanay -- 1915

Not being happy with the restrictions put on him at Keystone, Chaplin signed over to Essanay. Here he continued directing and starring in his films. Here he created what many fans consider his first masterpiece, "The Tramp". He also begins to work with Edna Purviance, who would be his leading lady throughout the Essanay, Mutual, First National periods, along with his first film for United Artists.

Mutual -- 1916-1917

Still feeling that he needed more freedom to create his films, Chaplin began with Mutual in 1916. Although he made less films at Mutual than he did at either Keystone or Essanay, his style of storytelling grew. He wanted his work to be more than just slapstick. Out of this era came greats like "Easy Street" and "The Pawn Shop".

First National -- 1918-1923

Once again Chaplin makes more moves toward independence. When he arrives at First National in 1918, he builds his own studio (which still stands). He makes more of what would be added to his classics like "Shoulder Arms" which was the first comedy about war, and "The Kid" which was the first film combining pure comedy and drama.

United Artists -- 1923-1952

Chaplin help found the UA company along with Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and director D. W. Grifith, in 1919. Unfortunately for Chaplin, he doesn't get to start work for UA until his contract with First National is finished in 1923. He stayed with UA until his exile in 1952. The last film he made in America was "Limelight"

Later Films -- 1957, 1967

Out of his bitterness towards the way he was treated in America for labeling him a communist (which was never poven), Chaplin fought back in this film "A King in New York".

At Universal he made what would be his last movie, "A Countess from Hong Kong". It was only one of two films that Chaplin made but did not star in (the other was "A Woamn of Paris", his first film with UA). It was released in 1967. Unfortunately film making had changed a great deal with other films such as "The Graduate" and "Bonnie and Clyde" bieng smash hits. Since "Countess" was originally written during the 1930s, it did not fare well.

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