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OPEN CLASSIC CINEMA · 936

Police

191634 minUnited States

Video edition: Wikimedia Commons
Original language: No spoken dialogue. Intertitles: English.
This copy runs: 25:38
Subtitles: No subtitle track in this language

Languages and subtitles

No subtitle track in this language

Wikimedia Commons · Charlie Chaplin · Public domain

This copy runs shorter than the reference runtime. Editing and playback speed can differ between editions.

Synopsis

Released from prison, Charlie loses his small allowance to a thief posing as a helpful clergyman. Attempts to find a place in ordinary life leave him vulnerable to another criminal, who draws him into a burglary. The young woman in the house responds to the intrusion in a way that complicates the usual division between criminals, victims and police.

Cast

Charles Chaplin

Edna Purviance

Wesley Ruggles

James T. Kelley

Leo White

John Rand

DirectorsCharles Chaplin

Historical context

Made during Chaplin's Essanay period, the short brings poverty and the difficulty of starting again into a crime comedy. Edna Purviance's character provides a counterpoint to the deceit and punishment surrounding the newly released man.

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)
Wesley Ruggles — Unknown photographer; Exhibitors Herald (Jul. - Sep. 1921) on the Internet Archive · Public domain
James T. Kelley — Richard Wallace / Pathé Exchange; lordheath.com . · Public domain
Leo White — Witzel; Photoplay Magazine March, 1917; pg. 24 https://archive.org/stream/photoplayvolume11112chic#page/378/mode/2up · Public domain
John Rand — Mutual Studios; Heritage Auction Gallery · Public domain

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