A Dog's Life (1918)

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A Dog's Life was Charlie Chaplin's initial release for First National Studios, and also his first three-reeler. Chaplin plays a tramp (duh!), who shambles around the cold, cruel world with his dog Scraps. Unable to land a job, Charlie and Scraps cadge a meal from lunchwagon proprietor Syd Chaplin… More A Dog's Life was Charlie Chaplin's initial release for First National Studios, and also his first three-reeler. Chaplin plays a tramp (duh!), who shambles around the cold, cruel world with his dog Scraps. Unable to land a job, Charlie and Scraps cadge a meal from lunchwagon proprietor Syd Chaplin (Charlie's brother). Things take a turn for the better when Charlie befriends down-and-out singer Edna Purviance. After routing a gang of crooks, Charlie and Edna head down the road "Where Dreams Come True" for a deliberately improbable happy ending. Together with Shoulder Arms and The Idle Class, A Dog's Life is one of the best examples of Chaplin's wildly uneven First National output. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 30 min.
Directed By: Charles Chaplin
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 14, 1918 Wide

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It was the first film to make $1 million.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dillon L

Another humorous, if not forgetable, Chaplin film,
Chris B

A very fast paced silent three-reeler from the legendary Charles Chaplin, it was also the first film ever to make a million dollars upon it's release! The film follows Chaplin as a tramp who saves a poor pup named Scraps and the two form a friendship and stick together. Scraps… More
A very fast paced silent three-reeler from the legendary Charles Chaplin, it was also the first film ever to make a million dollars upon it's release! The film follows Chaplin as a tramp who saves a poor pup named Scraps and the two form a friendship and stick together. Scraps eventually finds and digs up a wallet that a local thief has stashed in the ground near the tramp's sleeping lot (literally an abandoned lot) and makes the tramp rich. Of course a couple other thugs oversee the tramp's new fortune and decide to steal it from him and split it for themselves. Along with a down and out girl named Edna and Scraps, the tramp sets out to get his money back and eventually ends up escaping the madness and confusion of the local bar and leave with Edna and Scraps. The film then cuts to the future where Edna and the tramp have their own little farm and home along with Scraps who has a litter of pups alongside her. This is a very fun and touching short and Chaplin shows his perfect metronome like timing and physical flexibility and skill. Not to be missed is the performance that the pup who plays Scraps gives as she puts up with a lot of the tramps antics and is highly trained. This is a great early look at Chaplin's style and skill and a fun watch, keep an eye out for his stunningly accurate and timed editing throughout as well!
Ivan D

The best in "the Chaplin Revue", with a story that felt like a prototype of either "The Kid" or "Modern Times" when it comes to the bond between the 2 main characters(In this case, a dog). Many genuinely funny moments, and maybe has the happiest ending of… More
The best in "the Chaplin Revue", with a story that felt like a prototype of either "The Kid" or "Modern Times" when it comes to the bond between the 2 main characters(In this case, a dog). Many genuinely funny moments, and maybe has the happiest ending of all Chaplin's works.
MJS M

The package starts strong with a thirty minute short featuring Chaplin as the tramp who comes across a stray dog. The symbolism is obvious, the life of the tramp is related to the life of the dog. The film takes place almost entirely within about one city block as the tramp is… More
The package starts strong with a thirty minute short featuring Chaplin as the tramp who comes across a stray dog. The symbolism is obvious, the life of the tramp is related to the life of the dog. The film takes place almost entirely within about one city block as the tramp is chased by cops and gangsters. It?s a very gag dependent film with a lot of really clever physical set pieces and chases, though the film falters at one point with a gag about a woman crying all over someone. The filmmaking is quite strong for something made during the Woodrow Wilson administration, a good start to my journey through the films of Chaplin.