United Artists, Mildred Harris, and The Kid Charlie Chaplin

the kid (1921), jackie coogan, combined comedy drama , chaplin s first film exceed hour.

before creation of united artists, chaplin married first time. 17-year-old actress mildred harris had revealed pregnant child, , in september 1918, married quietly in los angeles avoid controversy. after, pregnancy found false alarm. chaplin unhappy union and, feeling marriage stunted creativity, struggled on production of film sunnyside. harris legitimately pregnant, , on 7 july 1919, gave birth son. norman spencer chaplin born malformed , died 3 days later. marriage ended in april 1920, chaplin explaining in autobiography irreconcilably mismated .

losing child thought have influenced chaplin s work, planned film turned tramp caretaker of young boy. new venture, chaplin wished more comedy and, according louvish, make mark on changed world. filming on kid began in august 1919, four-year-old jackie coogan co-star. occurred chaplin turning large project, placate first national, halted production , filmed day s pleasure. kid in production 9 months until may 1920 and, @ 68 minutes, chaplin s longest picture date. dealing issues of poverty , parent–child separation, kid thought have been influenced chaplin s own childhood , 1 of earliest films combine comedy , drama. released in january 1921 instant success, and, 1924, had been screened in on 50 countries.

chaplin spent 5 months on next film, two-reeler idle class. following september 1921 release, chose return england first time in decade. worked fulfil first national contract, releasing pay day in february 1922. pilgrim – final short film – delayed distribution disagreements studio, , released year later.