"THE GOLD RUSH."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18889, 3 January 1927, Page 7

"THE GOLD RUSH."

CHARLES CHAPLIN'S GREAT FILM. QUEEN S THEATRE, TO DAY. To-day at the Queen's Theatre, Charles Chaplin's great production, "The Gold Rush" will be presented. The fame of this picture swept around the world, preceding it to this country, ana on witnessing this vivid, life-like drama, one understands the roason of its phenomenal popularity. It is a story of contrasts, and a story of moods, comedy, and tragedy, skilfully blended by the genius Chaplin, and which work their will on th 6 mind and heart of the audience. Although tho story is effective, it is the sentiment of tho thing which is its most powerful factor, one which grips with its strength, and yet possesses a light and emotional side, which is essentially the outcome of Chaplin's applying his temperament to any picture. The comedy of the picture is purely farcical, yet it always seems to be shaded with an intense pathos-which is a logical adjunct to the story itself. It is a varied comedy, so true to life, so genuine and sincere that it stands alone on a proud and f lofty pinnacle. An artistic genius and s sense of humour that can convert tears and heartaches into, joy and laughter, that can cause the tear of pathos to be lost in the wrinkles of fun, is a combination seldom met with in life, and much less encountered on the screen. But if there is one place in the world that could evoke that combination that place is Alaska, the place where the strangest happenings are accepted in the ordinary course of events, and the sheerest drama and tragedy go unheeded. And as "The Gold Rush" is set in Alaska, one ceases to wonder that this picture should be such a poignant piece of patch* ■work. There is something truly great about the picture. It is typical of actual life, crowned with the majesty of enterprise, and the futility of it. The human interest in the story has not been neglected. It is the midst of the strife and hectic struggles of the Alaskan miners, the flower of romance blossoms valiantly and radiantly, another of the film's claims to simple and dignified proeminence., It goes without saying that the acting of Charles Chaplin'is an artistic do* light. He has for years Teigned as the world's greatest comedian, but there can he now no doubt that were he to desert the comic muse he would be the world's premier tragedian, for he has, in "The Gold Rush, been more himself than in any other pio ture. For Charles Chaplin, the funny little man with the cane and battered derby, and the ovor-sized shoes, is a sadly disillusioned person. In tho chief supporting rolo Georgia Hale is delightfu|. Tho second picture Is that great Australian classic, "Robbery Under Arms," stirring, virile, melodrama with a touch of triumphant tragedy in tho closing scenes. The whole "world knows of Captain Starlight, a courag* eous character of the Ned Kelly school, and of tho band of men that a toss of-the coin sent followers after him. It is one of the finest stories of tho great Australian bush ever written, and on tho screen T loses none of its power and appeal. During the holi» days the box plans will be on view at the theatre.