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OPEN CLASSIC CINEMA · 743

A Dog's Life

191833 minUnited States

Video edition: Wikimedia Commons
Original language: No spoken dialogue. Intertitles: English.
This copy runs: 34:39
Subtitles: No subtitle track in this language

Languages and subtitles

No subtitle track in this language

Wikimedia Commons · Charlie Chaplin · Public domain

Synopsis

An unemployed man and a stray dog become partners in the search for food and shelter. At a dance hall he befriends a discouraged singer, but has little to offer her beyond sympathy. When the dog uncovers a stolen wallet, the possibility of a better life arrives with two thieves determined to reclaim their money.

Cast

Charles Chaplin

Edna Purviance

Syd Chaplin

Henry Bergman

Charles Reisner

Albert Austin

DirectorsCharles Chaplin

Behind the scenes

Chaplin's first film for First National places the dog Scraps at the center of both the comedy and the story's change in fortune. Sydney Chaplin also appears, bringing the brothers together on screen.

Sources and availability

General references identify the work and its copy. A reference beside an editorial section is linked to the claims checked in that section.

Wikipedia — film reference Wikidata — film identity and credits

Work catalogued as public domain in the United States.

The public-domain references concern the original films in the United States. Rights can differ for other countries, editions, restorations, music or translations. Sources are listed on each film page.

Availability checked on September 12, 2026.

Photograph credit

Photographs cropped, resized and optimized as WebP, displayed in monochrome.

Charles Chaplin — Strauss-Peyton Studio, 1921; published in Photoplay no. 3 (1922); National Portrait Gallery / Wikimedia Commons. · Public domain in the United States (PD-US-expired)
Edna Purviance — Unknown photographer, 1923; J. Willis Sayre Collection of Theatrical Photographs, University of Washington Libraries, SAYRE 8372 / Wikimedia Commons. · Public domain in the United States (PD-US-expired)
Syd Chaplin — Unknown author · Public domain
Henry Bergman — Mutual Film Corp.; detail from http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/whi/fullRecord.asp?id=98107 · Public domain
Charles Reisner — Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; eBay · Public domain
Albert Austin — Nestor Film Studio (1915) Hal Roach Film Studio (1923) United Artists (1920); A Private Collection · Public domain

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