Due to the lack of technology
audio could not yet be attached to films. Therefore movie production in the
early 1900s adopted an over-exaggerated style of display. The characters had to
use signs and symbols to communicate with the audience. For example, to explain
to the viewers that Black Larson was a wanted man, the camera panned to a shot
of a wanted flier clearly depicting Black Larson. The movie also used quote scenes for the audience so they
could see what the characters were saying when there wasn’t a lot of movement
in the scene. The clips of quotes
were most often seen when there was a party going on at the bar.
Since there wasn’t sound, the characters could not speak, body movement and facial expressions were over-exaggerated. As shown in the scene where the Lone Prospect, Black Larson, and Big Jim Mckay first meet in the cabin and they begin to wrestle with the gun. It is clearly seen by the audience that the Lone Prospect is in fear for his life, from his facial expression and exaggerated movement, as the gun is being waved in his face. This can also be seen at the bar when Jack gives the Lone Prospect the note Georgia wrote for him. In the next scene, the Lone Prospect reads the note and starts to run around the bar looking for Georgia. In this scene Charlie Chaplin does a perfect job acting as if he is head over heals in love with Georgia running around franticly looking for her. His movements and facial expressions really shows how much the Lone Prospect loves Georgia. When he finally sees her he climbs the wall to her and begins to express his love for her with out saying anything. Chaplin uses arm gestures, kisses Georgia’s hand over and over again, and he also grabs at his heart to show that he loves her too. These minor details such as facial expressions are often missed or over looked in current movies. Many movies made today use words and the voices tones to express emotions such as love or anger. However, seen in The Gold Rush emotions can be expressed using body language. This is because people are more focused on what the actors are saying and not what they are doing.
With the lack of sound, Charlie Chaplin was able to avoid a movie full of dialog frames by isolating the main character away from large groups of people. Such as, when everyone was in the bar celebrating New Years Eve, the Lone Prospect was off in a cabin by himself preparing for Georgia and her friends to come visit. The Lone Prospect also dreams about having Georgia and her friends over. In the dream when they ask for him to make a speech rather than talking or using dialog frames he does a dance with two rolls stuck to the ends of forks. The only time in the movie when dialog frames were used was when all the towns people were in the bar celebrating. Other than those scenes Chaplin was able to make a movie people could watch and understand without the use of current audio technology.
Since there wasn’t sound, the characters could not speak, body movement and facial expressions were over-exaggerated. As shown in the scene where the Lone Prospect, Black Larson, and Big Jim Mckay first meet in the cabin and they begin to wrestle with the gun. It is clearly seen by the audience that the Lone Prospect is in fear for his life, from his facial expression and exaggerated movement, as the gun is being waved in his face. This can also be seen at the bar when Jack gives the Lone Prospect the note Georgia wrote for him. In the next scene, the Lone Prospect reads the note and starts to run around the bar looking for Georgia. In this scene Charlie Chaplin does a perfect job acting as if he is head over heals in love with Georgia running around franticly looking for her. His movements and facial expressions really shows how much the Lone Prospect loves Georgia. When he finally sees her he climbs the wall to her and begins to express his love for her with out saying anything. Chaplin uses arm gestures, kisses Georgia’s hand over and over again, and he also grabs at his heart to show that he loves her too. These minor details such as facial expressions are often missed or over looked in current movies. Many movies made today use words and the voices tones to express emotions such as love or anger. However, seen in The Gold Rush emotions can be expressed using body language. This is because people are more focused on what the actors are saying and not what they are doing.
With the lack of sound, Charlie Chaplin was able to avoid a movie full of dialog frames by isolating the main character away from large groups of people. Such as, when everyone was in the bar celebrating New Years Eve, the Lone Prospect was off in a cabin by himself preparing for Georgia and her friends to come visit. The Lone Prospect also dreams about having Georgia and her friends over. In the dream when they ask for him to make a speech rather than talking or using dialog frames he does a dance with two rolls stuck to the ends of forks. The only time in the movie when dialog frames were used was when all the towns people were in the bar celebrating. Other than those scenes Chaplin was able to make a movie people could watch and understand without the use of current audio technology.
Eric Shacklette
The lack of technology audio certainly was made up for through the over-exaggerated style of display! Because of the actor’s over-exaggerated movement and facial expressions it made it easy to keep along with the movie. I totally agree with your post because of the specific details you pointed out. The way that Chaplin uses arm gestures and facial expressions, it makes it easy to see how in love he is with Georgia. I agree with what Eric said about how obvious it is to see that Chaplin is head over heels in love with Georgia, simply from his body language and movement towards her. With silent movies, it is so important to pay attention to the full picture, and like you I wonder how much I have missed it today’s movies because I am so focused on what the actors and actresses are saying.
ReplyDeleteIt also made it easier to comprehend what was going on with the signs and symbols that communicated background information that was necessary to know without speaking. I agree with everything you say because it thoroughly explains why this silent film was so successful. It was due to the talent and great understanding of what it means to be an actor of Charlie Chaplin and the other actors and actresses in the movie. It is so amazing what Charlie Chaplin could communicate solely through his body language and movement. I think about actors and actresses today and wonder if they could have done the same if they lived back then.
I agree that the movie was well produced even without a huge element, audio. The expressions created the moods and feelings that is needed for the audience to understand what Charlie Chaplin is "saying" without saying anything. Especially in the cabin, where they can not produce any big action scenes, they are able to capture a sense of conversation without words. It provides entertainment which is always an element of a great film.
ReplyDeleteI must say, before I watched this film I was already putting it down. I thought that a silent film couldn't capture a so called dialogue that would tell a story. What Charlie Chaplin does was genius though, by creating very exaggerated expressions to create comedy. I was laughing the whole time during the final scene when the cabin is balancing on the edge, and even without sound it made still enjoyable to watch as the confusion daunted on there faces as the cabin swayed.
The characters also have sense of personality, and that is also captured through those expressions and acting. The miners greed for gold is seen at the end when he forgets charlie in the cabin, caring only for himself. Georgia also is displayed as a girl that is very popular and is a little unintelligent. The way she acts like a "barbie" and just relies on looks as she catches every boys eyes in the bar, creates this ditzy lady. In this way Chaplin is able to give every character an identity to use as a role in the story. Now as for charlies role, well with the lack of sound, he plays himself with his naturally way of acting.
This film truly shines without sound and almost adds a element where you can fill in the sounds with your imagination. No matter how you "fill in the sound" the expressions still adds to the action, creating a personality and comedy. True acting was performed in Gold Rush, and was performed with the best available methods of movie making at that time.
Philip Shutler