LUDLOW, Vt. – In keeping with its annual tradition, FOLA will offer a great silent movie, “The Gold Rush,” starring Charlie Chaplin, on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 7 p.m., at the Heald Auditorium in Ludlow Town Hall.
“The Gold Rush” is a 1925 American silent comedy film written, produced, and directed by Charlie Chaplin. The film also stars Chaplin in his Little Tramp persona.
In this hilarious film, Chaplin, in the role of the Little Tramp, decides he’ll go to Alaska and make his fortune in the gold rush.
Chaplin drew inspiration from photographs of the Klondike gold rush, as well as from the story of the Donner party, who, when snowbound in the Sierra Nevada, were driven to cannibalism, or eating leather from their shoes. Chaplin, who believed tragedies and comedies were not far from each other, decided to combine these stories of deprivation and horror in comedy.
He decided that his famous rogue figure should become a gold-digger, who joins a brave optimist determined to face all the pitfalls associated with the search for gold, such as sickness, hunger, cold, loneliness, or the possibility that he may at any time be attacked by a grizzly bear. In the film, scenes like Chaplin cooking and dreaming of his shoe, or how his starving friend Big Jim sees him as a chicken, could be seen.
“The Gold Rush” was critically acclaimed upon its release, and continues to be one of Chaplin’s most celebrated works; Chaplin himself cited it several times as the film for which he most wanted to be remembered. The film was voted number two on the prestigious Brussels 12 list at the 1958 World Expo, by a margin of only five votes behind “Battleship Potemkin.” In 1992, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”
Jeff Rapsis will be returning to play his original musical background to the movie. Jeff has been a favorite of audiences for his music, as well as his chats with the audience about the history behind the silent movie feature.
Also returning will be Glenn Brown. Glenn will be playing the musical background for the short comedy skit that opens the festival.
The silent movie festival is open to everyone and is free, although donations to support the costs of the productions are appreciated. Water is offered by the United Church of Ludlow. Call 802-855-8883 for information. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.