list http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around The Gold Rush on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 http://www.spout.com/films/The_Gold_Rush/13669/default.aspx Title: The Gold Rush
Year: 1925
Director: Charles Chaplin
Plot: He may be called "The Lone Prospector" in The Gold Rush, but the character played by Charlie Chaplin is the same wistful, resourceful Little Tramp that had been entertaining the world and its brother since 1914. A most unlikely participant in the 1898 Yukon gold rush, Charlie finds himself sharing a remote cabin with two much larger and more menacing-looking prospectors: Big Jim McClain (Mack Swain) and Black Larsen (Tom Murray). Big Jim isn't really a bad sort, but Larsen is a murderer and thief. When the food supply runs out, Larsen heads out in the snowy wastes to hunt, leaving Charlie to prepare a delicious Thanksgiving dinner for Big Jim, consisting of roasted shoe. The days pass: in a delirium, Big Jim imagines that Charlie is a huge chicken, and voraciously takes after him with an axe; Charlie saves himself by inadvertently shooting a bear, thereby providing enough food for ten men (Chaplin's inspiration for this episode was the cannibalistic activities of the Donner Party). When the winds subside, Charlie and Big Jim part company. Charlie heads off to seek his fortune in a nearby gold-rush community, while Big Jim lucks upon a "mountain of gold" -- just before he is ambushed and knocked unconscious by Black Larsen. Larsen himself is then killed by an avalanche, leaving Big Jim to wander aimlessly, his memory gone. Meanwhile, Charlie has fallen in love, from afar, with self-reliant saloon girl Georgia (Georgia Hale) who doesn't know that he exists. By a fluke, Charlie and Georgia meet, whereupon Charlie invites the girl to New Year's Eve dinner in the cabin that he is tending for a local prospector. While preparing for dinner, Charlie imagines that Georgia has arrived with her friends; he entertains the girls by jabbing two forks in two rolls, then performing a captivating little "dance" with the pastries. Awakening from his dream, Charlie disconsolately realizes that Georgia has forgotten all about his little party, and isn't going to show up. The next day, Big Jim arrives in town and is shaken out of his amnesia when he spots Charlie. Hoping that the little prospector will help him find his mountain of gold, Big Jim heads back to the mountains with Charlie in tow. The two men nearly come to grief when their cabin, blown by the wind to a mountain precipice, leans precariously over the edge--a peril intensified when Charlie, clinging to the floor, develops a sudden case of hiccups! Luck of luck, the cabin slides safely down the side of the mountain, landing directly upon Big Jim's gold strike. Now fabulously wealthy, Charlie and Big Jim head back to the States on a freighter. Also on board is Georgia, who is unaware that Charlie has struck it rich and thinks that he's a stowaway. She offers to hide him from the authorities, and it is at this point that Charlie and Georgia discover that they're truly in love with one another. The Gold Rush was the longest (it ran nine reels, cut down from its ten-reel preview length) and most elaborately produced of Chaplin's silent comedies (it took him fourteen months to complete). Even so, critics of the era chastised Chaplin for permitting the Little Tramp to win the girl at the end, arguing that the character's "integrity" was damaged by so happy an ending. Evidently, Chaplin took this criticism to heart: in his 1942 reissue of The Gold Rush, for which he wrote a narration and musical score, Chaplin removed the final embrace between the Lone Prospector and Georgia, fading out on a wealthy -- but still unattached -- Charlie strolling about the deck. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Times Tagged: 5
Number of Lists: 21
Number of blog posts: 2
SpoutRating: 4
]]>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:44:47 GMTThe Gold Rush1925Charles ChaplinHe may be called "The Lone Prospector" in The Gold Rush, but the character played by <a href="/players/P___271670/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Charlie Chaplin</a> is the same wistful, resourceful Little Tramp that had been entertaining the world and its brother since 1914. A most unlikely participant in the 1898 Yukon gold rush, Charlie finds himself sharing a remote cabin with two much larger and more menacing-looking prospectors: Big Jim McClain (<a href="/players/P____69267/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Mack Swain</a>) and Black Larsen (<a href="/players/P____51534/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Tom Murray</a>). Big Jim isn't really a bad sort, but Larsen is a murderer and thief. When the food supply runs out, Larsen heads out in the snowy wastes to hunt, leaving Charlie to prepare a delicious Thanksgiving dinner for Big Jim, consisting of roasted shoe. The days pass: in a delirium, Big Jim imagines that Charlie is a huge chicken, and voraciously takes after him with an axe; Charlie saves himself by inadvertently shooting a bear, thereby providing enough food for ten men (Chaplin's inspiration for this episode was the cannibalistic activities of the Donner Party). When the winds subside, Charlie and Big Jim part company. Charlie heads off to seek his fortune in a nearby gold-rush community, while Big Jim lucks upon a "mountain of gold" -- just before he is ambushed and knocked unconscious by Black Larsen. Larsen himself is then killed by an avalanche, leaving Big Jim to wander aimlessly, his memory gone. Meanwhile, Charlie has fallen in love, from afar, with self-reliant saloon girl Georgia (<a href="/players/P___219812/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Georgia Hale</a>) who doesn't know that he exists. By a fluke, Charlie and Georgia meet, whereupon Charlie invites the girl to New Year's Eve dinner in the cabin that he is tending for a local prospector. While preparing for dinner, Charlie imagines that Georgia has arrived with her friends; he entertains the girls by jabbing two forks in two rolls, then performing a captivating little "dance" with the pastries. Awakening from his dream, Charlie disconsolately realizes that Georgia has forgotten all about his little party, and isn't going to show up. The next day, Big Jim arrives in town and is shaken out of his amnesia when he spots Charlie. Hoping that the little prospector will help him find his mountain of gold, Big Jim heads back to the mountains with Charlie in tow. The two men nearly come to grief when their cabin, blown by the wind to a mountain precipice, leans precariously over the edge--a peril intensified when Charlie, clinging to the floor, develops a sudden case of hiccups! Luck of luck, the cabin slides safely down the side of the mountain, landing directly upon Big Jim's gold strike. Now fabulously wealthy, Charlie and Big Jim head back to the States on a freighter. Also on board is Georgia, who is unaware that Charlie has struck it rich and thinks that he's a stowaway. She offers to hide him from the authorities, and it is at this point that Charlie and Georgia discover that they're truly in love with one another. The Gold Rush was the longest (it ran nine reels, cut down from its ten-reel preview length) and most elaborately produced of Chaplin's silent comedies (it took him fourteen months to complete). Even so, critics of the era chastised Chaplin for permitting the Little Tramp to win the girl at the end, arguing that the character's "integrity" was damaged by so happy an ending. Evidently, Chaplin took this criticism to heart: in his 1942 reissue of The Gold Rush, for which he wrote a narration and musical score, Chaplin removed the final embrace between the Lone Prospector and Georgia, fading out on a wealthy -- but still unattached -- Charlie strolling about the deck. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide5Slightly Tagged (1-5)2124http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t32269wrvkm.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Gold_Rush/13669/default.aspxFilm http://www.spout.com/blogs/pippin06/archive/2009/12/10/44514.aspx Post By: pippin06
Post To: Reel Thoughts
Post Date: 12/10/2009 6:18:31 PM
Body: What's the AFI project, you ask? For more information, or if you just enjoy my bemused ramblings, read here:http://www.spout.com/blogs/pippin06/archive/2008/3/1/25756.aspx The Gold Rush is on the following AFI lists: The Original Top 100 (#74)100 Funniest Films (#25)The Revised Top 100 (#58) Taking another break from the regularly-scheduled queue in favor of completing the Original AFI Greatest list, the next film ordered up via my weekly red envelope happens to be the first of three entries on the original list featuring Charlie Chaplin (or Charles, whichever you prefer). I'll tell you a secret: this is the first Charlie Chaplin film I've ever seen in its entirety. Let's just say that as I surmise I must have undiagnosed adult attention deficit disorder, silent films (of which this is the second entry on the Original list, following The Birth of a Nation) have never been my primary preference, but now that I'm a little older, a little wiser, a little more eclectic in my movie-viewing tastes, I was more than ready and able to watch a non-talkie that wasn't expected to be racist. That alone made me excited...thus, happily, I waddled into The Gold Rush. Now, gentle reader, normally I take time to summarize the plot here, mostly in my own words (or in some borrowed from around the page if my memory feels too tested). This time, I don't think I will - since the Spout page gives you the entire plot, from beginning to end, right above my review. Why bother re-summarizing it? It's a silent film, so the plot is offered visually, and there really isn't anything I would add, except to say that I watched the original 1925 theatrical release of the film, even though there is a reboot from 1942 with a changed ending and narration by Chaplin himself. Since I am of the mind that the AFI no doubt based their subjective rankings on the original film, I decided to go all quiet and no talk. The story is offered above. I kind of loved The Gold Rush. I am anticipating that I will like City Lights, Chaplin's next entry on the AFI list, more based upon the plot summary, but this film really was quite funny. I smiled, at least, throughout most of the film. Watching a silent film, especially by artistic genius Chaplin, one has to marvel at the inventiveness of the visual gaffes that are created and used in place of what words would otherwise provide. I think the Gold Rush pioneered several film making concepts that would influence not only comedy films for years to come but also animation and film that focuses entirely on what is seen rather than what is heard. Charlie Chaplin was clearly the pioneer and reigning king of what he did. Truly, my favorite part of The Gold Rush was when he first found the cabin of Black Larsen and kept finding new and interesting ways to be blown over by the gusting Alaska winds. Chaplin's prowess for physical comedy could never be equaled, even with the likes of manic types like Jim Carrey and Robin Williams. They're loud, and Chaplin's comedic genius rested solely in his expressions and tongue-in-cheek movements, per the restrictions of film making at that time. Also, after viewing this film, I'm really appreciating why Wall-E, the Pixar film about the robot marooned on an abandoned Earth in the distant future, is often described as "Chaplin-esque." My post-viewing research led me to discover that critics of the time thought Chaplin sold out his Little Tramp persona with the original ending of this film. I think these critics were a bit narrow-minded in their view, especially since The Little Tramp character was flushed down the toilet when he struck it rich with the help of Big Jim. I didn't mind the ending of the original release; I think it was organically connected to the progression of the prospector's flirtation with Georgia, and that to cave in to some repeated formula created around this character, without putting the character itself within the context of the film at hand, is to equally do said character injustice. My only (small) problem with the film is the disjointed connection between the first and second acts, which all coalesce by the end of the film, but which feel like two different films with the way the transition was handled (and I'm not sure if the way the transition was handled was owing to the way silent films were constructed in those days). First, it's all about the lonely prospector's unsuccessful hunt for gold and his battle to survive (especially when Big Jim hallucinates and sees him as a giant chicken). Then, the film suddenly finds the prospector in town at the local club and wooing Georgia. There was all a point to it, and the connection was clarified later in the film, but I definitely felt as though the movie had started over and become something else when the prospector stumbled into that saloon. Nevertheless, The Gold Rush was truly funny and entertaining, and I can find very little I didn't like about it, considering that it is an 85-year-old silent movie. As such, I believe the film merits a 9 for being perfectly entertaining on the patented and trademarked ratings scale. I considered giving it a 10 but for that awkward mid-movie transition and because the story, funny though it was, didn't have that timelessness that truly makes a film a masterpiece. I'm feeling as though I might find that ranking in City Lights, which is my next foray into Chaplin's repertoire. As for the test, I don't believe that it passes, simply because I doubt I would want to watch this film too many times, though I might stop on it if one of the classic film stations is having a Chaplin marathon or something. In any event, don't be put off by the silent film format. Some of these films were truly novel and ingenious given the limitations of their times; The Gold Rush really is one such film.
]]>Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:18:31 GMTpippin06Reel Thoughts12/10/2009 6:18:31 PM What's the AFI project, you ask? For more information, or if you just enjoy my bemused ramblings, read here:http://www.spout.com/blogs/pippin06/archive/2008/3/1/25756.aspx The Gold Rush is on the following AFI lists: The Original Top 100 (#74)100 Funniest Films (#25)The Revised Top 100 (#58) Taking another break from the regularly-scheduled queue in favor of completing the Original AFI Greatest list, the next film ordered up via my weekly red envelope happens to be the first of three entries on the original list featuring Charlie Chaplin (or Charles, whichever you prefer). I'll tell you a secret: this is the first Charlie Chaplin film I've ever seen in its entirety. Let's just say that as I surmise I must have undiagnosed adult attention deficit disorder, silent films (of which this is the second entry on the Original list, following The Birth of a Nation) have never been my primary preference, but now that I'm a little older, a little wiser, a little more eclectic in my movie-viewing tastes, I was more than ready and able to watch a non-talkie that wasn't expected to be racist. That alone made me excited...thus, happily, I waddled into The Gold Rush. Now, gentle reader, normally I take time to summarize the plot here, mostly in my own words (or in some borrowed from around the page if my memory feels too tested). This time, I don't think I will - since the Spout page gives you the entire plot, from beginning to end, right above my review. Why bother re-summarizing it? It's a silent film, so the plot is offered visually, and there really isn't anything I would add, except to say that I watched the original 1925 theatrical release of the film, even though there is a reboot from 1942 with a changed ending and narration by Chaplin himself. Since I am of the mind that the AFI no doubt based their subjective rankings on the original film, I decided to go all quiet and no talk. The story is offered above. I kind of loved The Gold Rush. I am anticipating that I will like City Lights, Chaplin's next entry on the AFI list, more based upon the plot summary, but this film really was quite funny. I smiled, at least, throughout most of the film. Watching a silent film, especially by artistic genius Chaplin, one has to marvel at the inventiveness of the visual gaffes that are created and used in place of what words would otherwise provide. I think the Gold Rush pioneered several film making concepts that would influence not only comedy films for years to come but also animation and film that focuses entirely on what is seen rather than what is heard. Charlie Chaplin was clearly the pioneer and reigning king of what he did. Truly, my favorite part of The Gold Rush was when he first found the cabin of Black Larsen and kept finding new and interesting ways to be blown over by the gusting Alaska winds. Chaplin's prowess for physical comedy could never be equaled, even with the likes of manic types like Jim Carrey and Robin Williams. They're loud, and Chaplin's comedic genius rested solely in his expressions and tongue-in-cheek movements, per the restrictions of film making at that time. Also, after viewing this film, I'm really appreciating why Wall-E, the Pixar film about the robot marooned on an abandoned Earth in the distant future, is often described as "Chaplin-esque." My post-viewing research led me to discover that critics of the time thought Chaplin sold out his Little Tramp persona with the original ending of this film. I think these critics were a bit narrow-minded in their view, especially since The Little Tramp character was flushed down the toilet when he struck it rich with the help of Big Jim. I didn't mind the ending of the original release; I think it was organically connected to the progression of the prospector's flirtation with Georgia, and that to cave in to some repeated formula created around this character, without putting the character itself within the context of the film at hand, is to equally do said character injustice. My only (small) problem with the film is the disjointed connection between the first and second acts, which all coalesce by the end of the film, but which feel like two different films with the way the transition was handled (and I'm not sure if the way the transition was handled was owing to the way silent films were constructed in those days). First, it's all about the lonely prospector's unsuccessful hunt for gold and his battle to survive (especially when Big Jim hallucinates and sees him as a giant chicken). Then, the film suddenly finds the prospector in town at the local club and wooing Georgia. There was all a point to it, and the connection was clarified later in the film, but I definitely felt as though the movie had started over and become something else when the prospector stumbled into that saloon. Nevertheless, The Gold Rush was truly funny and entertaining, and I can find very little I didn't like about it, considering that it is an 85-year-old silent movie. As such, I believe the film merits a 9 for being perfectly entertaining on the patented and trademarked ratings scale. I considered giving it a 10 but for that awkward mid-movie transition and because the story, funny though it was, didn't have that timelessness that truly makes a film a masterpiece. I'm feeling as though I might find that ranking in City Lights, which is my next foray into Chaplin's repertoire. As for the test, I don't believe that it passes, simply because I doubt I would want to watch this film too many times, though I might stop on it if one of the classic film stations is having a Chaplin marathon or something. In any event, don't be put off by the silent film format. Some of these films were truly novel and ingenious given the limitations of their times; The Gold Rush really is one such film. http://www.spout.com/blogs/risselada/archive/2009/11/18/44388.aspx Post By: Risselada
Post To: Risselada Blog
Post Date: 11/18/2009 12:27:43 PM
Body: The Chechahcos From disc three of the DVD set "Treasures From American Film Archives". An interesting silent feature set in the Alaska gold rush from director Lewis H. Moomaw. This is his only surviving film. Some action, romance, drama. The different settings like the boat, the lodges, and especially the Alaska landscapes are major points of interest as well though. It was said Chaplin got some ideas from this film for The Gold Rush. Rating: 7/10
]]>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:27:43 GMTRisseladaRisselada Blog11/18/2009 12:27:43 PMThe Chechahcos From disc three of the DVD set "Treasures From American Film Archives". An interesting silent feature set in the Alaska gold rush from director Lewis H. Moomaw. This is his only surviving film. Some action, romance, drama. The different settings like the boat, the lodges, and especially the Alaska landscapes are major points of interest as well though. It was said Chaplin got some ideas from this film for The Gold Rush. Rating: 7/10 http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2008/9/16/35197.aspx Post By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 9/16/2008 2:01:08 PM
Body: I’m probably the least financial-minded person there is, and I’ve never owned a stock, bond or whatever else people invest in. But I am an expert on being broke, being poor, being frugal and, most importantly, putting things into perspective. What I mean is, whenever I feel like things just can’t get any worse for me money-wise, I think of the people who are or were actually worse off than I am. And by people, I mostly mean characters from the movies. So, as you may be worrying about your finances after Black Monday, consider dropping by the video store on your way home from the office (or job interview) today. Invest a few bucks into your own sanity and happiness by renting one of the following movies. Don’t worry, I’ve tried to make the selections rather common and accessible. If you’re like any of the financial guys and girls I know, you’re not likely the sort to go for obscure or difficult cinema. And if you are of the sort, then you probably don’t need this list anyway. The Grapes of Wrath (1940) Let’s begin with one of the basics, a movie that will make you glad you at least aren’t living through the Great Depression. There are tons of films from and about the era, but this is perhaps the definitive example, adapted from John Steinbeck’s definitive story of the Okie migration. At times I’ve felt like I can identify with the financial hardships of the Joads, particularly when I’ve been after a job that tons of other people are after, too. But there’s really no comparison, and you’re likely to agree. After seeing the family’s struggle, you’ll be glad you don’t have it so bad. But you’ll also hopefully be lifted up by the conclusive speeches of both Tom and Ma Joad, who inspire us all to keep on keeping on, no matter what the setback. American Madness (1932) Going back a little earlier, here’s another film dealing with the Great Depression (though not as directly), and one that’s more relative to the current situation of bank failures. Its plot deals with a bank that is robbed and then rumored to be out of money, leading to a withdrawal panic. Released one year prior to the creation of the FDIC, it may be a comforting reminder of how much more secure your deposits are today. (Even if it is a potential problem that the FDIC doesn’t exactly have as much money as it insures against.) Nine Queens (2000) A lot of films dealing with cons can be watched to ease the suffering of financial woes. But then you have to realize that while you may be better off than the victim who has lost all his savings or seen his casino vault emptied, you’ll still want to hate the con artist who gets away with the fortune. With Nine Queens, there is indeed one of those guys you’ll be upset with in the end, but the film has an extra level to it than most movies about a long con, because it’s set amidst Argentina’s economic collapse at the turn of this century. Like the desperate bank run scenes from American Madness, a similar scene involving a crisis at a Buenos Aires bank should leave you a little more optimistic about the current situation in the U.S. Surely we could never experience as critical an economic failure as they did in Argentina, right? One more thing: don’t dare rent the inferior American remake, Criminal, which just doesn’t have the same relevance. I Served the King of England (2006) You won’t find this in the video store just yet, but hopefully it’s playing in a theater near you (currently it’s on 37 screens). I’ve so far contrasted your possibly upsetting financial situation with that of sufferers of the Great Depression and of the Argentine economic crisis. Now, here’s the worse-off situation of the Czechs under Nazi occupation and then communism. Filled with irony and wit, this film should, unlike some of the rest, put a smile on your face while also making you thankful that you didn’t have the misfortune of becoming a millionaire right on the brink of your nation’s change to communism. If there’s anything worse than losing your fortune, it’s losing your fortune and being sent to prison for having such a fortune. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005) On the other side of the coin, you may want to watch this documentary about the Enron scandal if you are more angry about your economic situation and would rather see a villain sent to prison for corruptly amassing a great fortune. Of course, while the protagonist of I Served the King of England is a lot more lovable, his riches aren’t exactly free from sin, either. And if you’re completely averse to watching either a doc or a foreign film, you could just watch Wall Street again and take out your frustration on Gordon Gekko. Bicycle Thieves (1948) Hopefully you’re not against foreign films, though, because anyone experiencing a financial crunch should take a look at this Italian neorealist classic. Any time I’ve felt helpless due to unemployment or lack of money, I remember that at least I have a certain level of education and skill to fall back on, unlike poor Antonio, who can’t get work after his bicycle is stolen. Films with similar stories inspired by DeSica’s masterpiece, including Cyclo and Man Push Cart (but probably not Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure), may also be worth a look. Grey Gardens (1975) Also, hopefully you aren’t completely against watching a documentary, especially one that’s a little more lighthearted than Enron. Of course, watching two nutty former socialites living in squalor and allowing a once-beautiful mansion to fall apart could possibly make you just as irate. Just be glad that your own riches to rags story doesn’t involve tons of feral cats and a seemingly oblivious daughter who will one day be a poster girl for drag queens. Trading Places (1983) Despite whatever happens with the current economic disaster, America will always be a place where one can get rich as quickly as one can lose it all, and no movie focuses on that truth as well as this comedy, about a bet to see how easily a bum can be made a millionaire, and a millionaire can be made a bum. Plus, it’s always nice to watch the greedy Duke brothers get their just deserts in the end. Just don’t watch Coming to America afterward, so as to pretend they never come back. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) A lot of people are too cynical to enjoy this movie, but when you’re down in the dumps, especially financially, it’s a good pick-me-up, both for the uplifting story and the general American dream idea that one can truly rise from such poverty to such success as the real Chris Gardner did. Of course, given the current events, getting excited about a man struggling for a career in the financial world may not be so easy. I wonder if there are any good movies about working hard and making it big that don’t involve finance, sports or the entertainment industry. The Gold Rush (1925) In the Depression-set movie Sullivan’s Travels, it’s realized that audiences struggling with financial difficulties and other real-life woes would rather watch comedies than serious films focused on social problems. In that film, it’s a Disney cartoon called Playful Pluto that gives evidence of this, but it’s widely known that Preston Sturgis intended to use a Chaplin picture instead. So, as the final movie selection for the economically depressed, here’s one of the more fitting Chaplin features. While any film involving the Little Tramp could possibly serve to relatively lift you up, there’s just nothing better than watching Chaplin eat his boot and then being thankful for what you’ll be eating for dinner tonight. Now, I must address the possible outcry over the idea of making oneself feel better through the suffering of others. Yes, it’s terrible what people have had and still have to go through, both in America and around the world. Poverty is no joke, and it’s not exactly something that exists merely to balance out the brattiness of those not living in and with such poor conditions. So, I encourage you to, after watching whatever movie lifts your spirits up, find it in your heart to also be inspired to help someone less fortunate than yourself. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog
]]>Tue, 16 Sep 2008 18:01:08 GMTSpoutBlogSpoutBlog on spout.com9/16/2008 2:01:08 PM I’m probably the least financial-minded person there is, and I’ve never owned a stock, bond or whatever else people invest in. But I am an expert on being broke, being poor, being frugal and, most importantly, putting things into perspective. What I mean is, whenever I feel like things just can’t get any worse for me money-wise, I think of the people who are or were actually worse off than I am. And by people, I mostly mean characters from the movies. So, as you may be worrying about your finances after Black Monday, consider dropping by the video store on your way home from the office (or job interview) today. Invest a few bucks into your own sanity and happiness by renting one of the following movies. Don’t worry, I’ve tried to make the selections rather common and accessible. If you’re like any of the financial guys and girls I know, you’re not likely the sort to go for obscure or difficult cinema. And if you are of the sort, then you probably don’t need this list anyway. The Grapes of Wrath (1940) Let’s begin with one of the basics, a movie that will make you glad you at least aren’t living through the Great Depression. There are tons of films from and about the era, but this is perhaps the definitive example, adapted from John Steinbeck’s definitive story of the Okie migration. At times I’ve felt like I can identify with the financial hardships of the Joads, particularly when I’ve been after a job that tons of other people are after, too. But there’s really no comparison, and you’re likely to agree. After seeing the family’s struggle, you’ll be glad you don’t have it so bad. But you’ll also hopefully be lifted up by the conclusive speeches of both Tom and Ma Joad, who inspire us all to keep on keeping on, no matter what the setback. American Madness (1932) Going back a little earlier, here’s another film dealing with the Great Depression (though not as directly), and one that’s more relative to the current situation of bank failures. Its plot deals with a bank that is robbed and then rumored to be out of money, leading to a withdrawal panic. Released one year prior to the creation of the FDIC, it may be a comforting reminder of how much more secure your deposits are today. (Even if it is a potential problem that the FDIC doesn’t exactly have as much money as it insures against.) Nine Queens (2000) A lot of films dealing with cons can be watched to ease the suffering of financial woes. But then you have to realize that while you may be better off than the victim who has lost all his savings or seen his casino vault emptied, you’ll still want to hate the con artist who gets away with the fortune. With Nine Queens, there is indeed one of those guys you’ll be upset with in the end, but the film has an extra level to it than most movies about a long con, because it’s set amidst Argentina’s economic collapse at the turn of this century. Like the desperate bank run scenes from American Madness, a similar scene involving a crisis at a Buenos Aires bank should leave you a little more optimistic about the current situation in the U.S. Surely we could never experience as critical an economic failure as they did in Argentina, right? One more thing: don’t dare rent the inferior American remake, Criminal, which just doesn’t have the same relevance. I Served the King of England (2006) You won’t find this in the video store just yet, but hopefully it’s playing in a theater near you (currently it’s on 37 screens). I’ve so far contrasted your possibly upsetting financial situation with that of sufferers of the Great Depression and of the Argentine economic crisis. Now, here’s the worse-off situation of the Czechs under Nazi occupation and then communism. Filled with irony and wit, this film should, unlike some of the rest, put a smile on your face while also making you thankful that you didn’t have the misfortune of becoming a millionaire right on the brink of your nation’s change to communism. If there’s anything worse than losing your fortune, it’s losing your fortune and being sent to prison for having such a fortune. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005) On the other side of the coin, you may want to watch this documentary about the Enron scandal if you are more angry about your economic situation and would rather see a villain sent to prison for corruptly amassing a great fortune. Of course, while the protagonist of I Served the King of England is a lot more lovable, his riches aren’t exactly free from sin, either. And if you’re completely averse to watching either a doc or a foreign film, you could just watch Wall Street again and take out your frustration on Gordon Gekko. Bicycle Thieves (1948) Hopefully you’re not against foreign films, though, because anyone experiencing a financial crunch should take a look at this Italian neorealist classic. Any time I’ve felt helpless due to unemployment or lack of money, I remember that at least I have a certain level of education and skill to fall back on, unlike poor Antonio, who can’t get work after his bicycle is stolen. Films with similar stories inspired by DeSica’s masterpiece, including Cyclo and Man Push Cart (but probably not Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure), may also be worth a look. Grey Gardens (1975) Also, hopefully you aren’t completely against watching a documentary, especially one that’s a little more lighthearted than Enron. Of course, watching two nutty former socialites living in squalor and allowing a once-beautiful mansion to fall apart could possibly make you just as irate. Just be glad that your own riches to rags story doesn’t involve tons of feral cats and a seemingly oblivious daughter who will one day be a poster girl for drag queens. Trading Places (1983) Despite whatever happens with the current economic disaster, America will always be a place where one can get rich as quickly as one can lose it all, and no movie focuses on that truth as well as this comedy, about a bet to see how easily a bum can be made a millionaire, and a millionaire can be made a bum. Plus, it’s always nice to watch the greedy Duke brothers get their just deserts in the end. Just don’t watch Coming to America afterward, so as to pretend they never come back. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) A lot of people are too cynical to enjoy this movie, but when you’re down in the dumps, especially financially, it’s a good pick-me-up, both for the uplifting story and the general American dream idea that one can truly rise from such poverty to such success as the real Chris Gardner did. Of course, given the current events, getting excited about a man struggling for a career in the financial world may not be so easy. I wonder if there are any good movies about working hard and making it big that don’t involve finance, sports or the entertainment industry. The Gold Rush (1925) In the Depression-set movie Sullivan’s Travels, it’s realized that audiences struggling with financial difficulties and other real-life woes would rather watch comedies than serious films focused on social problems. In that film, it’s a Disney cartoon called Playful Pluto that gives evidence of this, but it’s widely known that Preston Sturgis intended to use a Chaplin picture instead. So, as the final movie selection for the economically depressed, here’s one of the more fitting Chaplin features. While any film involving the Little Tramp could possibly serve to relatively lift you up, there’s just nothing better than watching Chaplin eat his boot and then being thankful for what you’ll be eating for dinner tonight. Now, I must address the possible outcry over the idea of making oneself feel better through the suffering of others. Yes, it’s terrible what people have had and still have to go through, both in America and around the world. Poverty is no joke, and it’s not exactly something that exists merely to balance out the brattiness of those not living in and with such poor conditions. So, I encourage you to, after watching whatever movie lifts your spirits up, find it in your heart to also be inspired to help someone less fortunate than yourself. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog http://www.spout.com/blogs/jscott/archive/2007/6/30/12725.aspx Post By: JScott
Post To: JScott Blog
Post Date: 6/30/2007 9:39:00 PM
Body: City Lights is a light hearted comedy on the surface and a much more subtle melodrama at it's core. His pioneering social commentary is common place in all Chaplin films, especially The Great Dictator and The Kid. This film is so obviously a political movie that it opens on a statue representing justice outside of the local courthouse as it is being revealed for the first time.The message of the lower class being forgettable and disposable is repeateded throughout the film but most powerfully at the very end of the film. The Blind Girl is back from Brazil for her surgery and the Tramp is out of prison, but ultimately she is unable to accept him and only placate him with a smile as he eagerly collects any attention she is willing to pay him.Chaplin the first champion of the downtrodden and he inspired Pasolini, DaSica, Almodovar and countless others. Overall the film is impecably put together - everything works. The quirky coincedences lead our hero into situations which are funny, entertaining and yet still put forth a much more sophisticated tale. If you haven't yet done yourself the service of watching a Chaplin film this one would be a great one to start on. Infact I am a believer that all Chaplin films are worthy of starting on as The Gold Rush and Modern Times are just as good (if not better) as any of the other ones I have listed already.He truly is a genius and this is one of his best films, which is tough because they are all really good. 75 years later and he is still timeless and as good as anyone else.
]]>Sun, 01 Jul 2007 01:39:00 GMTJScottJScott Blog6/30/2007 9:39:00 PMCity Lights is a light hearted comedy on the surface and a much more subtle melodrama at it's core. His pioneering social commentary is common place in all Chaplin films, especially The Great Dictator and The Kid. This film is so obviously a political movie that it opens on a statue representing justice outside of the local courthouse as it is being revealed for the first time.The message of the lower class being forgettable and disposable is repeateded throughout the film but most powerfully at the very end of the film. The Blind Girl is back from Brazil for her surgery and the Tramp is out of prison, but ultimately she is unable to accept him and only placate him with a smile as he eagerly collects any attention she is willing to pay him.Chaplin the first champion of the downtrodden and he inspired Pasolini, DaSica, Almodovar and countless others. Overall the film is impecably put together - everything works. The quirky coincedences lead our hero into situations which are funny, entertaining and yet still put forth a much more sophisticated tale. If you haven't yet done yourself the service of watching a Chaplin film this one would be a great one to start on. Infact I am a believer that all Chaplin films are worthy of starting on as The Gold Rush and Modern Times are just as good (if not better) as any of the other ones I have listed already.He truly is a genius and this is one of his best films, which is tough because they are all really good. 75 years later and he is still timeless and as good as anyone else. http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/love/MemberTagFilms.aspxlove
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