GRANDDADDIES OF CINEMA - THE SILENT MOVIE WEEK: THE GOLD RUSH

Charlie Chaplin’s “little tramp” is, without any doubt, one of the great iconic characters of the 20th century. I mean, I’m sure you know him, even if you have never watched any of his films. He was the best of the entire comic genre; his gags, jokes and mimics have become classic parts of comedy routines. As for impersonating “the little tramp”, well… As we all know that can still make on laugh until one cries (by the way, did you know that Charlie Chaplin actually came second in a “Charlie Chaplin look-alike contest he entered just for kicks?). Anyway, of the many famous films he has left us as his legacy the one we will talk about today is “The Gold Rush”.
It is the height of the great gold rush in Alaska. The land is crawling with prospectors seeking their fortunes. Townships spring up like mushrooms and brave men battle the hardships with the dream of becoming millionaires. Here we find our friend the little tramp. He is not too successful at first. Friends and enemies come along as does Georgia, a beautiful girl who steals his heart in one of the townships. The little tramp may truly have a heart of gold, but will that be enough for him to reach the real stuff lying under the ground?
Now Chaplin’s comic genius in undeniable. Besides, there is a reason these films are timeless – Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton, the lot of them. They may be constructed in a completely alien way to modern films, there may not even be any sound, but if stories and technology changes, comedy does not. People still laugh at the same kind of things, and these guys are the ones who “did it first”. Staked a claim if you will – especially Chaplin. But Chaplin’s character had a different appeal as well. He was the little guy standing up to the bullies and outwitting them. Of course this is more apparent in some films rather than others but if you think about general themes it is in fact what Hollywood likes best – and most definitely what we like best: Good triumphing over evil. Only in this case good comes with a warning against split sides – and a ticket for eternal fame.
I once again say as I did in my previous post: don’t let the naiveté or the lack of 3D put you off. Just sit down, see what you make of it. I’m ready to bet you’ll surprise yourself…