“A prospector goes to the Klondike in search of gold and finds it and more.”

This is, I think, the third time I’ve seen this film. The only version I could find this time was a version that had music and narration added by Charlie Chaplin. Now, for those of you that have been with me for a while, one of the things you may know is that, no matter how much I am enjoying a silent film while watching it, I will always fall asleep. Always. I’ve never watched one silent film where I didn’t fall asleep twenty or so minutes into it. And, that includes this film, The Gold Rush. The last time I watched this film, I don’t think I was more than ten minutes in before I fell asleep. However, with the added music and narration by Charlie Chaplin himself, I’m proud to say that I didn’t fall asleep once.

As far as the story of this one goes, I don’t think that it’s anything special. It’s really just the character of the Lone Prospector and putting him in funny situations that make the film comical.

I definitely enjoy silent film era comedies. So much went into making them, especially all the practical effects. The Gold Rush is no exception. The little cabin rocking back and forth on the edge of the cliff the morning after the big snowstorm is smartly done. It provides for such good physical comedy on Chaplin’s part, and Mack Swain’s, the actor playing Big Jim.

I can’t talk about this film and not mention the famous Dinner Roll Dance. You know the one:

It’s simply genius. And it is literally just Chaplin sitting at a table, with two forks in two rolls. The simplicity of the scene has always astonished me because the scene is so entertaining.

Sorry guys, but I don’t really have that much to say about this film.

Not really the lackluster post I wanted to start the new year off with, but the next film on the list is Rocky and I cannot wait.