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The Immigrant

1917 · US

Directed by Charlie Chaplin

Chaplin, Mutual, Lone Star, released 17 June 1917. A steamer rolls toward New York; the Tramp shares a deck, a meal, and a stolen coin with Edna Purviance, then a restaurant bill he cannot pay becomes the second half. Two reels. Chaplin built a ship set on rockers so the dining room could heel as one piece. The Statue of Liberty appears as the passengers are roped off for inspection. Often grouped with the best of the Mutuals for how the gags and the landing sit in the same shot.

Comedy · Romance

Watch now

Watch The Immigrant

1917 · Source: Wikimedia Commons

Public domain presentation

Public Domain Source

Wikimedia Commons · FM-54; File:The Immigrant (1917).webm; 460x360

Video: Charlie Chaplin · Credit: YouTube · Public domain · Source: File page

In American Comedy

Cast & Crew

Charlie Chaplin · DirectorCharlie Chaplin · ImmigrantEdna Purviance · Immigrant

Available Subtitles

No subtitle tracks are currently listed.

Other sources: DonaldPBorchersOG

From the Reading Room

Article
Movies Silently Review ★★★★½
Article
The Immigrant Is Chaplin's Most Famous Short for a Reason — Medium

Essay analyzing the film's social criticism of immigration and American Dream mythology through Chaplin's persona.

Where to Watch

Watch on Criterion Channel
Streaming data by JustWatch

Cast

Principal players
C

Charlie Chaplin

Immigrant

E

Edna Purviance

Immigrant

E

Eric Campbell

The Head Waiter

A

Albert Austin

A Diner / Immigrant

H

Henry Bergman

The Artist

Tom Wilson

Tom Wilson

Gambler (uncredited)

T

Tom Harrington

Marriage Registrar (uncredited)

John Rand

John Rand

Tipsy diner

Kitty Bradbury

Kitty Bradbury

Mother (uncredited)

J

Janet Sully

Passenger (uncredited)

Loyal Underwood

Loyal Underwood

Passenger (uncredited)

J

James T. Kelley

Shabby Diner (uncredited)

Frank J. Coleman

Frank J. Coleman

Thief / Cashier (uncredited)

W

William Gillespie

Violinist (uncredited)

Crew

Roland Totheroh

cinematographer

Maverick Terrell

writer

Vincent Bryan

writer

William C. Foster

cinematographer

George C. 'Duke' Zalibra

cinematographer

Charlie Chaplin

writer

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