CIARLIE CHAPLIN COMES AGAIN IN “THE GOLD RUSH.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18044, 3 January 1927, Page 7

CIARLIE CHAPLIN COMES AGAIN IN “THE GOLD RUSH.”

QUEEN’S LEADING FILM IS FULL OF LAUGHTER. To-day, at the Queen's Theatre, Charles Chaplin’s great production, " The Gold Rush,” will be presented. The fame of this picture swept around the world, preceding it to this country, and on witnessing this vivid, lifelike drama, one understands the reason of its phenomenal populaiIty. It. is a story of contrasts, and a story of moods, comedy and tragedy skilfully blended by the genius Chaplin. and which work their will on the mind and heart of the audience. Although the story is effective, it is the sentiment of the thing which is its most powerful factor, one which grips with its strength, and yet possesses a light and emotional side which is essentially the outcome of Chaplin’s applying his- own temperament to any picture. The comedy of the picture is purely farcical, yeT it always seems to be shaded with an intense pathos which is a logical adjunct to the story itself. It is a varied comedy, so true to life, so genuine and sincere that it stands alone on a proud and lofty pinnacle. An artistic genius and a sense of humour that can convert tears and heartaches into joy and laughter, that can cause the tear of pathos to be lost in the wrinkles of fun is a combination seldom met with in life and much less encountered on the screen. But if there is one place in the world that could evoke that combination that place is Alaska, the place where the strangest happenings are accepted in the ordinary course of events, and the sheerest drama and tragedy go unheeded. And as “The Gold Rush" is set In Alaska, one ceases to wonder that this picture should be such a poignant piece of patchwork. There is something truly great about the picture. It is typical of actual life, crowned with the majesty of enterprise and the futility of it. The human interest in the story has not been neglected. It is in the midst of the strife and hectic struggles of the Alaskan miners. The flower of romance blossoms valiantly and radiantly, another of the film’s claims to simple and dignified pre-eminence. It goes without saying that the acting of Charles Chaplin is an artistic delightHe lias for years reigned as the world’s greatest comedian, but there can be now no doubt that, -were he to desert the comic muse, he would be the world’s premier tragedian, for he has, in “ The Gold Rush ’’ been more himself than in any other picture. For Charlie Cha.plin, the funny little man with the can© and battered derby and the oversized shoes, is really a sadly disillusioned person. Tn the chief supporting role. Georgia Hale is delightful. The second picture is that great Australian classic, "Robbery Under Arms,” a stirring. virile melodrama with a touch of triumphant tragedy in the closing scenes. The whole world knows of Captain Starlight, a courageous character of the Ned Kelly school, and of Ihe band of men that a loss of the coin sent followers after him. It is one of the finest stories of the great Australian bush ever written, and on the screen loses none of its power and appeal. During (he holidays the box plans will be on view at the theatre.