tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post7144859099040347987..comments2024-01-21T11:18:54.087-05:00Comments on Lost in the Movies: Silence is Golden: the two versions of The Gold RushJoel Bockohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-55102409264004631662012-08-16T16:42:54.738-04:002012-08-16T16:42:54.738-04:00Thanks Shamus - it can be easy to forget what a br...Thanks Shamus - it can be easy to forget what a brilliant performer Chaplin was, since he plays the same character in every film, but of course this character is not him - indeed the fact that we forget that is another feather in his bowler.<br /><br />And thanks so much for the Barthes reco. I'm scheduled to write a piece on Modern Times in a few months for a comedy countdown on another blog, and I was actually already planning to Focus on the film's social and political worldview and particularly the development of Chaplin's persona in that light over the decades. I was already planning to seek out similarly themed essays in preparation but this one will have to leap to the top of my list.Joel Bockohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-54016010508841689712012-08-16T16:27:44.809-04:002012-08-16T16:27:44.809-04:00Joel, I've only recently discovered your (cool...Joel, I've only recently discovered your (cool) blog,so may I take the liberty of posting a comment here?<br /><br />I liked you analysis of <i>Gold Rush</i>, especially the ending, but the most crucial thing about this film for me is Chaplin's performance- from the stiff, breathless anticipation of a pose, waiting for Georgia's gaze to alight upon him (it never does) to his manic, gleeful full bodied celebrations- more than any other movie of his, this movie proves that he is, without exception, the greatest actor in cinema.<br /><br />Also, your mention of Chaplin's rise from the starving proletariat to the (love-struck) bourgeois to successful prospector brought to mind (moving from one superlative to another) the best piece of film criticism I've read: Roland Barthes' essay on <i>Modern Times</i>, and his analysis of Chaplin's politics. I'm wondering if you've read it.Shamusnoreply@blogger.com