"THE GOLD RUSH."

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18549, 26 November 1925, Page 13

"THE GOLD RUSH."

CHAPLIN AT HIS BEST. About the last place in tho world where oiio would expect to find Charlio Chaplin co on tho goldiields oi Alaska, yet this is whero ho is discovered in "The Gold Rush," bis latest production. -It eecms years now since tho great film comedian renewed his acquaintance with New Zealand audiences in a new film, but in "Tho Gold Rush," ho is to be seen as largo as lite, and in a production which has not yet been screened in any other , town in Xcw Zealand. That he has picked Alaska as tho setting for, tho > new ctmedy says volumes for his originality. All tho literature which our Ameriican .cousins havo poureti into the Dominion on tho subject has been of the ultra- serious typo with usually at least one murder awaiting elucidation in the final chapters. Chaplin, however, proves that he uan provide genuine lium-ur from even .the most tragic subjects—a fact which he aptly demonstrated by his war pictures. 'l'h© beloved Charlio is a master of the unexpected. Moreover, ho has a genins for offsetting his iporo blatant comedy work with « touch of pathos and tragedy which makes it doubly refreshing. Th.s is to be observed all through tho new vehicle of fun, and it goes far to demonstrate Chftplin s uncannv cleverness in making people laugh. Tliat lie should find plenty of adventures in Alaska is to be expected, especially as Charlie comes out with more gold than he can comfortably d!«p-se of. He also has a love affair a,nd becomes tho laughing-stock of tho country, but he evinces a. shrewdness in surmounting obstacle© iu his path. There is plenty of "The. Gold Bulb" — nearly two hours of it, in fact, ajjd every foot of the film is good. Comparing the film with ita predecessors, Chaplin shows uj? to especial advantage in "The Gold Rush,' and substantiates the cls-iru that it is his best picture to dxte. Th'.s claim might appear over-ambitious when "Easy Street and others arc biought to mind, but those v.-lio sco tho Alaskan production wi!l not fail t.a agree with the finding nevertheless. At tho private scrfcning at the Liberty yesterday morning, a! 1 were unanimous on the point, and it is almost certain that the general p'iblic of Chnistchurch, when the oppor(urn(v q£ seeing the film is afforded them at this place .of amusement in a few weeks' time, will also concur. It must be remembered, however, that the comedy work is not the only attraction of "The Go!d Rush." There are included in the settings' stupendous scenes of Alaskan wastes which are roost convincing.