Making a Living

For the American television series, see It's a Living (1980 TV series).

Making A Living
Charlie Chaplin on the right in Making a Living
Directed by	Henry Lehrman
Produced by	Mack Sennett
Written by	Reed Heustis Henry Lehrman
Starring	Charlie Chaplin Chester Conklin Minta Durfee Virginia Kirtley
Cinematography	Enrique Juan Vallejo Frank D. Williams
Distributed by	Mutual Film Corporation
Release date(s)	February 2, 1914
Running time	15 minutes
Country	United States
Language	Silent film English (Original intertitles)

Making a Living is the first film starring Charlie Chaplin. It premiered on February 2, 1914. Chaplin plays Edgar English, a lady-charming swindler who runs afoul of the Keystone Kops.

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

It was written and directed by Henry Lehrman.

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 - Swindler
• Virginia Kirtley - Daughter
• Alice Davenport - Mother
• Henry Lehrman - Reporter
• Minta Durfee - Woman
• Chester Conklin - Policeman / Bum

See also

• Charlie Chaplin filmography

External links

• Making a Living at the Internet Movie Database
• Viewable and downloadable movie at archive.org