Charlie Chaplin’s first short for First National Pictures
was released in April 1918, six months after his final film for Mutual. Chaplin
in his Tramp character befriends a local mongrel dog called Scraps and together
they go about causing mischief and mayhem. Later, Scraps comes to the aid of
the Tramp when he gets into trouble with some thugs and helps his master set up
a new life for himself and his new lady friend, a bar singer (Edna Purviance).
What was immediately obvious about this opening First National film was its quality. The sets, costume and story are all far superior
to pretty much anything seen in a Chaplin film before. The sets especially look
as though they may well have been real streets. There is a much more rounded
story which incorporates comedy as one aspect rather than relying solely on
kicks up the backside or doffing caps to curbs. The film is still funny but
this isn’t one of Chaplin’s finest works. What it is though is one of his
finest stories to date and overall one of his best short films.
