Georgia Hale

The Gold Rush (1925) - 4/5

Charlie Chaplin is known for his comedy, but this movie throws in a more multi-faceted underlying story to build on. It’s not all-out comedy, but instead layers in the laughs to balance the story. Where The Kid (1921) is often too realistic to be funny, here the premise is exotic enough to provide the separation for the audience that is necessary to comedy. It feels more like a stage play than most movies almost 100 years later, but less like a stage play than many of its contemporaries, and is a very good example of Chaplin’s work.

Closest comparison: It’s like The Kid (1921) but less dour and with better comedy.

Setting: Adventure
Plot: Exploration
Tone: Comedy/Drama