Summary:
A prospector goes to Alaska in search of gold, and ends up finding so much more.
My Thoughts:
As much as I have loved the Charlie Chaplin films I have seen (“Modern Times”, “The Great Dictator”), I must admit that I do have to be in the right mood to watch a silent film. While I found silent films can be just as expressive as films with sound through the acting, directing and visual storytelling, I also find that I watch silent films in a different way. Everything in a silent film is based off visuals- there might be musical clues to tell you how to feel if the film is accompanied by a score, but if not, the strength of the story is dependant 100% on the visuals alone. Another thing that one has to take into account when watching films from this early in film’s history is that many of the rules were still being established, so sometimes things that might seem mundane or outdated to the modern viewer, were actually incredibly groundbreaking when they hit the theaters ninety years ago.
When we at TMM decided to do a mini-series on silent films, I grew rather excited, because it gave me the perfect excuse to finally go out of my way to watch this film (which had been sitting on my shelf, unwatched, since the last Barnes and Noble Criterion Sale), and I have to say it was far better than I anticipated. Chaplin’s most famous films are probably “City Lights”, “Modern Times”, “The Great Dictator” and “The Kid”, and I personally have seen both “Modern Times” and “The Great Dictator” a few times each. Experiencing this for the first time was an utter delight. I found that I enjoyed it just as much as the other two entries I’d seen previously.
Just a reader’s note: There are two versions that came on the Criterion Blu Ray, and I decided to watch the original 1925 release. Apparently Chaplin oversaw the 1942 reissue, but that version is about ten minutes shorter.
“Oh! You’ve Spoilt the Picture!”
A Lone Prospector (Charlie Chaplin, “Limelight”) travels to Alaska where he encounters Black Larsen (Tom Murray, “Tramp, Tramp, Tramp”) Big Jim McKay (Mack Swain, “Tillie’s Punctured Romance”) in an isolated cabin. After a few misadventures, the Prospector wanders into a town where he meets Georgia (Georgia Hale, “The Great Gatsby (1926)”). When the Prospector tries to win Georgia’s affections, he finds another man; Jack Cameron (Malcolm Waite, “A Notorious Affair (1930)”) also has interest in Georgia.
One of my biggest complaints about silent films is the pacing. Even in some of the films I’ve seen by Chaplin the pacing tends to be a bit slower. Chaplin likes to set up jokes and then let those jokes run on for a while. In “Modern Times” he spends a great deal of time fooling around with machines. In “The Great Dictator” there is an extended scene where he bounces a giant globe around a room. In this movie, however, there are a few different jokes that he drags out, but none of them overstay their welcome. The pacing overall in this movie is better than the other films I’ve seen of his. There was always something going on, whether it be a gag or a plot point, and it moves the film along at a rather nice pace.
I think one of my favorite things about Chaplin is the way he expresses himself so effortlessly through his actions; we don’t need to hear (or see) what he’s always saying because 90% of the time we can tell what he’s thinking and feeling. There were a few parts in this movie that were surprisingly emotional, and Chaplin knows how to play up the lachrymose moments while also finding a way to your heart with the sweet moments.
This movie has some pretty amazing sets. A good portion of the film is set in a wintery western town that reminded me a lot of the town of Presbyterian Church in “McCabe & Mrs. Miller”. The village is gorgeously designed and wonderfully photographed, and it’s amazing to think that almost everything we see was probably built on a soundstage. There were some cool models and special effects used in making a cabin blow around a landscape. I kept thinking to myself as I watched this film that while they were making this movie, people were still learning how to make movies-they were still figuring out the best ways to frame shots, the best ways to light sets and scenery. This movie looks absolutely fantastic even thought its ninety-four years old.
The overall story in this movie is pretty wonderful as well. Though the film might be a little predictable (I mean you sort of expect the Tramp to succeed in the end), it is a ton of fun and it has a ton of heart. The ending is incredibly sweet and I couldn’t help be grin from ear to ear as the final title card faded from view.
Verdict:
This is an absolutely marvelous movie, one that I’m thrilled that I watched. I honestly think I might like this a little more than “Modern Times”, though it’s been so long now I might need to revisit it. I enjoyed this film so much I wouldn’t be surprised if I watch a few more Chaplin films in the coming months. Charlie Chaplin was an absolute genius that helped set the rules for the film world, and this movie is a testament to his genius that will delight cinephiles until the end of time.
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