The Gold Rush movie storyline. The Little Tramp goes prospecting for gold in the Klondike. Conditions are harsh, there is little in the way of comfort or food and even less it seems in the way of gold. Thanksgiving dinner for himself and Big Jim Mckay consists of a boiled boot. Once in town, he meets the beautiful Georgia at the Monte Carlo dance hall. He finds himself in competition with the ladies man who has his eyes on Georgia as well.
Meanwhile, Black Larsen – wanted by the police – tries to steal Big Jim McKay’s claim. Big Jim tries to stop him but knocked unconscious, he loses his memory. Back in town, the little tramp tries to impress Georgia. When Big Jim arrives, he regains his memory and he and the Little Tramp set off to make their fortune. Sailing home as rich men, the Little Tramp has one more chance to unite with Georgia.
The Gold Rush (1925) is the quintessential Chaplin / Little Tramp film, with a balance of slapstick comedy and pantomime, social satire and emotional and dramatic moments of tenderness. It was Chaplin’s own personal favorite films, showcasing the classic character of Tramp (called the “small” in the version re-release) as a romantic idealist and one gold prospector at the turn of the century, with his cane derby, distinctive walk, tight clothes shabby, and mustache.
Classic scenes include the stage of famine two prospectors cabin blocked boil and eat a meticulously stewed shoe, vagabond’s cabin-mate delirium, imagining his companion as a large chicken, the cabin teetering on the edge of a cliff, and Chaplin’s lonely New Year Party fantasized the day (with dinner rolls dance routine), when he expects a girl who never comes.
Early working titles for the film included Lucky Strike and The History of the North. The film, partly inspired by the macabre story Donner Party, was shot (on a 15-month period from spring 1924-summer 1925) both on land of Hollywood and back in the studio in Truckee, California / Nevada, and premiered in New York, the Strand Theatre in mid-August 1925. Chaplin film was reissued in 1942 with narration added sound and music, both spoken and composed / arranged by Chaplin.
The Gold Rush (1925)
Directed by: Charles Chaplin
Starring: Charles Chaplin, Mack Swain, Tom Murray, Henry Bergman, Malcolm Waite, Georgia Hale, Lillian Adrian, Leona Aderias, Claude Anderson, Harry Arras, Albert Austin, Marta Belfort
Screenplay by: Charles Chaplin
Production Design by: Charles D. Hall
Cinematography by: Roland Totheroh
Film Editing by: Charles Chaplin
Music by: Carli Elinor
Distributed by: United Artists
Release Date: June 26, 1925
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