Funny and warm in equal measure, "The Kid" was born out of personal tragedy for Chaplin, as you'll find out on this handsomely produced two-disc DVD release. These discs are available to buy on their own or as part of "The Chaplin Collection: Volume 2", or as part of the "Complete Chaplin Boxset".
TECHNICAL FEATURES
Picture Despite the lines and print damage, this transfer is significantly better than anything seen on TV.
Sound The 5.1 sound mix only has a music score to deal with and distributes that into a pleasing surround effect.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Introduction David Robinson reveals the bittersweet story of how the death of one of Chaplin's children only days after birth broke his creative block and inspired him to make "The Kid". You'll also learn what became of child actor Jackie Coogan.
Chaplin Today: The Kid The commentary for this documentary is somewhat flat in delivery but the stories told are anything but dull. Chaplin's private life spilled over into the production of this film, to the point where he had to halt production and hide the negative in a hotel so his wife's lawyers couldn't get hold of it.
Scene Deleted in 1971 One minute was deleted by Chaplin for the 1971 re-release, and here it is.
How to Make Movies This fascinating 1918 documentary film made by Chaplin shows the studios he's getting built for his production company, him rehearsing his cast, and, as the title suggests, making movies the silent way.
My Boy Child star Jackie Coogan had a brief career after "The Kid", and "My Boy" is a film you can watch in its entirety on this DVD. It's clearly aping "The Kid", and the print is in terrible condition.
Additional Extra Features Also on disc two is footage of Jackie Coogan, a short home movie with Coogan, newsreel footage of Chaplin, footage of Coogan wowing the crowds in Paris, colour footage of Chaplin recording the music score for the 1971 re-release, trailers, and clips taken from the movies that make up "The Chaplin Collection".
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Chapters: 20
Ratio: 1.33:1 (original fullscreen ratio)
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 (mono)
Audio Tracks: Music only
Subtitles: Multiple languages
Captions: None
Menus: Static, with music
Special Features Subtitles: The only special feature with subtitles is the introduction.
This DVD was reviewed on a JVC XV-N5 DVD player.
The Kid DVD (1921)