The Tramp

Chaplin in his costume as "The Tramp"

The Tramp was Charlie Chaplin's most memorable on-screen character.

The Tramp was a bumbling but good-hearted character who is most famous as a vagrant who endeavoured to behave with the manners and dignity of a gentlemen despite his actual social status. However, while he was ready to take what paying work that is available; he also used his cunning to get what he needed to survive and escape the authority figures who would not tolerate it.

The tramp debuted during the silent film era in the Keystone comedy Kid Auto Races at Venice (released on February 7, 1914). Chaplin continued using this character well into the sound era. Although Chaplin officially retired this character in the film Modern Times (released February 5, 1936), he used a similar looking character in The Great Dictator (released October 15, 1940).

The Short Film

The Tramp is also a short film starring Charlie Chaplin as the titular main character. In the film, a hobo exchanges the Tramp's sandwich for a brick so the Tramp must eat grass. The same hobo later bothers a farmer's daughter, and the Tramp comes to her aid with the help of the brick. When two more hobos show up, the Tramp throws all three into a lake. The grateful girl takes the Tramp home, where he fails as a farmhand. He again helps drive off the hobos (who are now trying to break into the house). The girl's fiancé arrives. Though a hero, Charlie, knowing he must go, writes a farewell note and leaves again for the open road.

The film also stars Edna Purviance, Lloyd Bacon, and Leo White.

The Tramp was released on April 11, 1915 through Essanay Studios.