This was the first time I had ever seen “The Gold Rush” let alone a silent picture for that matter. I must say I was quite impressed. This was my first Charlie Chaplin experience and in my opinion he was a phenomenal actor. I now see why many also considered him to be the best. The way he was able to get his message across by using facial expressions, hand gestures and certain types of body movements was pretty much on point. While watching this film I understood what he was trying to say, without him saying it. It takes a great deal of talent to do that and not only did he do it but he did it extremely well. The FPS at which the movie was played also played a dramatic role in this film. For instance, certain scenes such as when the door was open and he was blown while running against the wind. Scenes as such where played at greater FPS to achieve a cartoon effect which gave it more of a comedic approach.
By 1924 Charlie Chaplin was considered the most famous person in the world as well as the highest paid actor of his time. In 1916 his contract consisted of a whopping $10,000 weekly paycheck. In today’s day and age that would equate to about $175,000 a week. Due to his heightened popularity it was no easy task for studios to afford him. Therefore, he went off to found “United Artists” in 1919 along with two of the most popular film stars of that time, Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford. They would set off to independently make and distribute their films. Charlie Chaplin was to receive 50% profit from his own movies and retention of their copyrights. Chaplin had chosen Alaska’s Yukon Gold Rush of 1898 as his setting for the movie. His fascination for the
Donner Party had inspired him to make a movie based on the hardships in pursuing immense riches or a better life in which “The Gold Rush” was born. Charlie Considered this film to be his favorite and which he would want people to remember him by. {http://www.sierracollege.edu/ejournals/jsnhb/v1n3/chaplin.html}
Overall I enjoyed watching “The Gold Rush” it was a new experience for me. I appreciate Chaplin’s work and have a better understanding of what he had done in his time. I also look forward to watching more of his films due to the fact that he keeps you coming back for more. As for my favorite scene, it would have to be where he is dancing with the forks and rolls of bread. Not only was it clever but humorous as well.
