By Ida Brown

ibrown@themeridianstar.com

    Silent Film Saturdays at the Temple Theater returns this weekend with a presentation of the first major full-length feature comedy.

    Charlie Chaplin’s “The Kid,” will be presented at 7 p.m. at the theater, located at 2320 Eighth St.. Roger Smith, owner of the downtown Meridian theater, describe the movie as “a brilliant combination of sentiment and laughter.”

    First presented in 1921, “The Kid” tells the story a child left in the back seat of an expensive automobile with a handwritten note by his unwed mother begging the finder to care for and love the baby. However, the car is stolen. When the two thieves find the child, they abandon him on the street, where he is found by The Little Tramp (Chaplain) who, at first is unwilling to take the child but eventually concedes. The child grows up to become the Tramp’s partner in minor crimes, while the mother becomes a wealth star. The two are eventually brought back together under unfortunate circumstances.

    Saturday’s presentation of “The Kid” will be accompanied live by local organist David Bennett.

    A selection of short silent comedies will be featured before the film, including “Haphazard Happenings with Purdie & Friends” by Rex Harsin of Tupelo as well as several from Ben Model’s “Accidentally Preserved” collection of rare and lost silent films.

    The silent films will offer a bit of nostalgia for some, while introducing a new genre of entertainment for others.

    “We are really encouraging the young people to come out and see these movies, particularly those who might have an interest in film and producing,” he said.

    Tickets are $5 and available at the door. For more information, visit www.meridiantempletheater or call (601) 693-5353.