The challenging and spirited early life of cinema's first great comedic artist, Charlie Chaplin, is portrayed. The innately talented young Charlie must overcome a wayward life of poverty and familial chaos to reach the pinnacle of stardom.
When Charlie and Syd outshine Harry Weldon on stage, Weldon gives impresario Fred Karno an ultimatum- either Charlie is fired, or he will quit. Not wanting to lose Weldon, Karno gives Charlie and Syd two weeks to come up with a new act.