A Dog's Life (First National, 1918). Fine on Linen. One Sheet (28" X 41").. ...

Description

A Dog's Life (First National, 1918). Fine on Linen. One Sheet (28" X 41").
After he signed with First National, Charlie Chaplin finally had complete creative control over his pictures for the first time. In this, the first of an intended eight pictures under a new contract, Chaplin changes the direction of his Tramp character from a source of comic mischief into more of a sad, kind-hearted clown. As his films grew longer and more complex, A Dog's Life would see Chaplin start to infuse his work with themes of poverty and city life. Here, the Tramp bonds with a dog over similar circumstances of street living and finds small touches of pathos in-between the comic moments, with love for both his dog and his attraction to a beautiful bar singer. All of these elements made up a more sophisticated picture than his earlier films and saw Chaplin begin to develop as an expert filmmaker. Described by some critics as "cinema's first total work of art," A Dog's Life would also lay the groundwork for Chaplin's first full-length picture, The Kid. Offered for the first time from Heritage, this poster sees "the one and only" Chaplin with the adorable, sweet-eyed pup, Scraps. This poster has a wonderful provenance: it was discovered in the collection of a theater owner who had owned it for just under 70 years. Director Richard Attenborough, who in the beginning stages of his movie biography of Chaplin, purchased this very poster from a 1990 auction, where it stayed in his collection until his passing, with our consignor purchasing it from his estate auction. The poster has had touchups applied to fold wear and separation, chips and tears, and paper loss and stains in the borders. The borders and parts of the interior background have been airbrushed. With this restoration, this poster now displays nicely for the most ardent fan of the famed silent comedian or most devoted dog lover.


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