Easy Street (1917)

Charlie Chaplin in Easy Street (1917) - Full Colorized Movie

HD Colorized Restoration of Charlie Chaplin's Laughter and Social Commentary

Plot Summary

One of Charlie Chaplin’s most celebrated shorts, **Easy Street** sees the Little Tramp in a new role: a police officer attempting to bring law and order to the city's most violent and crime-ridden slum, aptly named Easy Street. The film begins with the Tramp leaving a mission hall, a recently reformed individual who decides to turn over a new leaf by taking the dangerous police job.

His biggest adversary is the brutal bully and local menace, **Eric Campbell**, who dominates the neighborhood. Through a series of brilliant slapstick encounters—including using a gas lamp to subdue the giant bully—the Tramp miraculously brings peace to the street. He also protects a beautiful missionary, played by **Edna Purviance**, who works in the slum. The story blends incredible physical comedy with genuine social commentary, culminating in the Tramp’s heroic, if accidental, victory over the forces of chaos, and a final, romantic walk with the missionary.

Film Details

Director
Charles Chaplin
Writers
Vincent Bryan, Charles Chaplin, Maverick Terrell
Release Date
February 3, 1917 (United States)
Country of Origin
United States
Genres
Short, Comedy, Social Satire
Runtime
23 minutes (Approx.)
Production Co.
Lone Star Corporation (First National)
Filming Location
Chaplin Studios, Hollywood, CA

Principal Cast

  • Charles Chaplin: The Tramp / Policeman
  • Edna Purviance: The Missionary
  • Eric Campbell: The Bully
  • Albert Austin: Minister/Policeman
  • Loyal Underwood: Small Father

A Deeper Look: The Masterpiece of Mutual

**Easy Street** is widely regarded as Chaplin's masterpiece of the Mutual period (1916–1917), showcasing a marked evolution in his filmmaking from pure slapstick to a blend of comedy, pathos, and social realism. Moving away from the frantic, improvised Keystone style, Chaplin, now working at his own studio, crafts a highly structured and character-driven narrative.

Comedy with Conscience

The film brilliantly uses its slum setting to comment on poverty, crime, and the struggle for decency. The Tramp's transformation from a desperate, hungry criminal into a small, bumbling hero—who still retains his mischievous streak—is a cornerstone of the character's appeal. His battle against **Eric Campbell**, Chaplin's frequent and formidable heavy, results in some of the most memorable stunts of his career, especially the iconic **gas lamp sequence** where the Tramp uses the environment to his advantage.

Restored and Enhanced for Modern Viewing

This presented film is a meticulously **HD colorized and restored** version of the public domain original. Given the grim, gritty nature of the "Easy Street" set, the colorization process using AI tools like DeOldify adds depth and texture, allowing the audience to appreciate the details of the large-scale set built entirely on the Chaplin Studios lot. The enhanced clarity of this restoration, coupled with a full runtime, provides the most immersive way to watch this 1917 classic. It stands not just as a great silent comedy, but as a foundational work in the history of cinema.

Watch Easy Street (1917) - Full Colorized HD Movie

Witness Chaplin's most significant silent short, where the Little Tramp becomes an unlikely hero.

The Little Tramp fights crime and finds love in the meanest street in the city.