The Gold Rush

Subject: The Gold Rush Mon Aug 04, 2008 6:59 pm

There were two versions of this movie, the original silent one in 1925 and a re-release in 1942 with slight modifications. In the 1942 version, a musical score was added plus a narration by Charlie Chaplin himself. Scenes were also edited some more, two notable ones included a subplot being removed and the kiss by Chaplin and Georgia at the end. The one I saw was the 1942 re-release.

Chaplin has said that this is the film that he wants to be most remembered by. The plot is easy to follow, especially with the narration. There were even some on screen visual effects that were impressive for that time. There are 3 famous scenes in this movie that are often parodied...

Charlie Chaplin eating his boot.
Charlie Chaplin doing a dinner roll dance with forks.
The house teetering on a cliff with Chaplin and another fellow inside.

This is the first Chaplin silent film to be converted into sound. Also, as a side note, the original role of the leading lady was given to Lita Grey who had previously worked with Chaplin in The Kid. However, Chaplin got her pregnant so she was unable to do it. She was replaced by Georgia Hale.

The acting was great. Anyone who wants a good laugh should watch this movie.

80/100
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Subject: Re: The Gold Rush Sun Aug 10, 2008 3:07 pm

Love this movie to death. Saw it last week during a Charlie Chaplin marathon. Easily one of my favorites.
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Subject: Re: The Gold Rush Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:44 pm

I watched the silent version. I'll combine the reviews since they're basically the same film...

Charlie Chaplin's The Gold Rush tells the story of a lone prospector (Charlie Chaplin) in Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush. Chaplin encounters severe weather and is stranded in a cabin without food. When he is finally able to leave, he goes to an Alaska town and gives up on gold mining. Here, he meets a girl and falls in love which creates further drama. The plot of this film is mostly good. While the first half hour does establish Chaplin's character and includes several memorable scenes, it seemed a little slow-moving. The second half of the film was particularly good although the cabin being blown around in the wind and teetering on the edge of a cliff was highly unrealistic.

In addition to the aforementioned Charlie Chaplin, the film also stars Georgia Hale as Chaplin's love interest. While Hale was not originally for this part, Lita Grey was fired as a result of a scandal giving the part to Hale. Interestingly enough, Hale was also cast in City Lights after Virginia Cherrill was fired, Cherrill was eventually rehired. In this film, Chaplin played his part rather well. While there were no scenes quite as memorable as the final scene in City Lights, Chaplin's performance was still quite good.

This film is particularly memorable for several scenes. While stranded in a cabin, Chaplin and another character eat one of Chaplin's boots. Shortly thereafter, the other character imagines Chaplin as a chicken. This is particularly well-done especially considering the time at which it was made. Perhaps the most famous scene is Chaplin performing a dance with dinner rolls and forks. While a similar scene was performed in Buster Keaton's The Rough House, this is the more famous version. Lastly, the scene with a cabin teetering on a cliff, while unrealistic, is quite memorable.

Overall, this film is far more comical than the other two Chaplin films I have seen, The Great Dictator and City Lights. Despite the comedy, the plot drags early on and the climax is rather unrealistic. Chaplin often stated this was the film he would most like to be remembered by, and it is a solid effort.

78/100
C+

UP NEXT: Alfred Hitchcock's only period piece, Under Capricorn.
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Subject: Re: The Gold Rush Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:49 pm

Your score isn't far off from mine. I liked the comedy so I ignored most of the unrealistic parts. If you really want to see a good comedy by Chaplin, you should see The Circus.
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bow

Subject: Re: The Gold Rush Wed Aug 27, 2008 4:01 pm

Subject: Re: The Gold Rush Wed Aug 27, 2008 4:06 pm

Subject: Re: The Gold Rush Wed Aug 27, 2008 4:08 pm

Yeah, and on the DVD the new version is on the first disc. Damn people need to not be afraid of silent films! Why not take non-silent films and narrate them, too.

Like take Star Wars - wouldn't it be better if during the light saber battles someone was saying something like "Kenobi swings, it hits Vader's light saber. Vader swings back. Still everybody lives. Another swing, another block. Vader swings...down goes Obi-Wan! It's over! BLAH!

"

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Subject: Re: The Gold Rush Wed Aug 27, 2008 4:58 pm

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Subject: Re: The Gold Rush Wed Aug 27, 2008 5:06 pm

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Subject: Re: The Gold Rush Wed Aug 27, 2008 5:15 pm

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Subject: Re: The Gold Rush Wed Aug 27, 2008 5:24 pm

Subject: Re: The Gold Rush Wed Aug 27, 2008 5:26 pm

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