The Bond (1918)

The Bond is a propaganda film created by Charlie Chaplin at his own expense for the Liberty Loan Committee for theatrical release to help sell U.S. Liberty Bonds during World War I

Made in 1918 with Edna Purviance, Albert Austin and Sydney Chaplin, the film has a distinctive visual motif set in a simple plain black set with starkly lit simple props and arrangements. The story is a series of sketches humorously illustrating various bonds like the bond of friendship and of marriage and, most important, the Liberty Bond, to K.O. the Kaiser which Charlie does literally.

There was also a British version with Uncle Sam replaced by John Bull and promotes War Bonds.



Starring:
Albert Austin as Friend
Charles Chaplin as Charlie
Sydney Chaplin as The Kaiser
Edna Purviance as Charlie's Wife