Last night I went to the movies and saw an absolutely fantastic “new” old silent movie, Charlie Chaplin’s, The Gold Rush. This 1925 film, was written, produced and stars the acting genius, Charlie Chaplin. We are all familiar with some incredible scenes from this movie. Charlie Chaplin has elevated the process of eating his shoe to avoid starvation to a level where it is positively unforgettable. Poking forks into potatoes and turning them into magical dancing legs, wow, how can he do that?! But despite its reputation as one of the great masterpieces of silent cinema, The Gold Rush has long been unavailable in its original form. In 1942, Chaplin issued a “sound” version and he also directed that the silent version be screened only with a live orchestra. Luckily for all of us, Ceneteca Bologna and Janus Films, with permission from the Chaplin estate, has presented a 35 mm restoration with a newly recorded musical score. Take my advice, go see and listen to The Gold Rush!
So good, you will want to see and listen again! And then, naturally, I turn to the movie posters promoting the art of Chaplin. As his movies were originally silent, they possess a broad appeal, no need for dubbing! Thus, the languages of the posters themselves are varied. Le Kid is in French. Funniest Man in the World is in Hebrew. And in English, we have Great Dictator and King in New York.
Charlie Chaplin’s movies are funny. They are emotional. They are romantic and they are political.
They are universal. I very highly recommend that you experience the “new” Gold Rush! Let me know what you think!
