The Kid (1921)

by Charles Chaplin
Music composed by Charles Chaplin 1971, Music Associate Eric James, Orchestrated by Eric Rogers
The Kid full and reduced scores arranged and adapted for live performance by Timothy Brock

Synopsis

The Little Tramp unwillingly takes in an abandoned baby. He quickly softens up to the boy and after a few years, they make their living together as a team. One day, the child falls ill and social services try to take him away… Though this was Charlie Chaplin’s first full-length movie, it was already a masterpiece!

Technical Specifications

• Screening time: 60 min.
• 35 mm and digital formats available
• Projection speed for 35 mm: 21 frames per second. 1.1:33, Full aperture gate projector essential
• Mute, no sound effects
• Can be screened as a double bill with another short, like The Idle Class which is 24 min. 55 sec. long
• State of the art projector essential

Instrumentation for THE KID

• Flute I, II (II dbl. picc.)
• Oboe (dbl. ca)
• Clarinet I, II (II dbl. bass-clarinet, contrabass-clarinet)

• Bassoon

• Horns I, II
• Trumpet I, II

• Trombone I, II

• Timpani
• Percussion (2)
• Piano (dbl. celesta)

• Harp

• String minimum : 86442

• Complete percussion list: Timpani, Snare drum, Bass drum, Suspended cymbal, Temple blocks, Wood blocks, Triangle, Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Vibraphone (with fast motor)

Reduced Orchestration for THE KID

Chamber orchestra version
Compiled by Timothy Brock 2013
Available for very small venues and/or local cultural organisations with low funding. Not available for venues seating more than 700.

16 players:
- 1 flute (doubling piccolo)
- 1 oboe
- 1 clarinet (dbl. bass-clarinet)
- 1 bassoon
- 1 horn
- 1 Piano/celesta
- 1 percussionist
- 4 violins
- 2 violas
- 2 ‘cellists
- 1 contrabass

Trailer of The Kid

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Listen to the Music

List of Films

• How To Make Movies
• A Dog's Life
• Shoulder Arms
• Sunnyside
• A Day's Pleasure
• The Kid
• The Idle Class
• Pay Day
• The Pilgrim
• A Woman Of Paris
• The Gold Rush
• The Circus
• City Lights
• Modern Times
• The Great Dictator
• With A Smile