A Dog's Life (1918)

86% of users liked it
(471 ratings)

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.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Dillon L

Another humorous, if not forgetable, Chaplin film,
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.

Cast

Henry Bergman
as Dance Hall Lady
Charles Chaplin
as Tramp
Ted Edwards
as Unemployed Man

Louis Fitzroy
as Unemployed Man
Edna Purviance
as Bar Singer
Sidney Chaplin
as Lunch Wagon Owner

See full cast

A Dog's Life (1918)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Dillon L

Ivan D

MJS M

Cast