The Little Tramp

Signing On
In 1919, Chaplin formed United Artists, the first independent film distribution corporation, with (from left) D. W. Griffith, Mary Pickford, Albert H.T. Banzhaf, Dennis F.O Brien, and Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. The move gave the artist much greater control of his films.

• Flashback: A TIME Chaplin Cover From 1931