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OPEN CLASSIC CINEMA · 763

Making a Living

191412.5 minUnited States

Video edition: Wikimedia Commons
Original language: No spoken dialogue. Intertitles: English.
This copy runs: 12:35
Subtitles: No subtitle track in this language

Languages and subtitles

No subtitle track in this language

Wikimedia Commons · Henry Lehman · Public domain

Synopsis

An opportunist first borrows money from a stranger, then competes with him for a woman's attention. When the stranger photographs a spectacular accident, the swindler steals the camera and tries to claim the news story as his own. Their rivalry becomes a scramble through the street and the newspaper business, with professional ambition following the same dishonest pattern as courtship.

Cast

Charles Chaplin

Henry Lehrman

Chester Conklin

Minta Durfee

Virginia Kirtley

DirectorsHenry Lehrman

Behind the scenes

Chaplin's first released film presents him in a top hat and large moustache, before the familiar Tramp costume. Henry Lehrman directs and plays his principal rival in the short.

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)
Henry Lehrman — Unknown author Unknown author; http://www.allstarpics.net/0015889/015426824/henry-lehrman-pic.html · Public domain
Chester Conklin — Hartsook Photo; J. Willis Sayre Collection of Theatrical Photographs · Public domain
Minta Durfee — Unknown author Unknown author; Photoplay Magazine · Public domain
Virginia Kirtley — Unknown author Unknown author; Filmland favorites; being the autographed photographs with biographical sketches of the leading photo play stars (1915). Book available online at: https://archive.org/details/filmlandfavorite00losa · Public domain

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