In Charlie Chaplin's poignant debut feature, the Little Tramp (Chaplin) cares for an orphan (Jackie Coogan). After a few years they make their living together as a team, but the relationship is put in jeopardy when a social worker tries to take the boy away.

Chaplin was already famous when this film was released, and it made child actor Coogan an international celebrity. Many critics consider this to be Chaplin's most personal film.