Music is an important part of life. I wish that music could play in the background of my life as it does in movies. Music is an important part of my life, especially lyrics. Music can help relieve stress, put people in a certain mood, inspire people and tell a story; or in this case, actually tell the story. Listening to music is good for the body and the soul; it can get persons dancing, and clear their head. In movies it is important to have music to help tell the story and get the viewer involved. Sometimes the movie can make or break the movie. The music in the 1925 film The Gold Rush, directed and written by Charles Chaplin, did a great job depicting the emotions of the characters.
The Gold Rush was actually considered a silent movie on imb.com even though there was some small dialog, which was added by Chaplin years later. The music seemed to move with the characters letting the viewer know things the actor was leaving out. The characters in the film were sometimes awkward and the music helped tell their story. In the beginning of the film the little fellow played by Charles Chaplin, was hiking; and the music was upbeat, showing how happy the character was at that time. He did not even realize there was a bear behind him at one point! Once the little fellow meets Big John and they are in his cabin when the big snowstorm hits, the music is really dramatic, showing how rough the storm is; but, after a while, the music gets more upbeat showing the comical part of the movie when they are getting blown out of the house when the door opens.
Once the lone prospector is on his adventure again, and in the bar he sees Georgia (Georgia Hale) for the first time. The music is very sensual and light, depicting his emotions towards Georgia. The little fellow is awkward and goofy, with one normal shoe on and one fur wrapped boot, so the music helps the viewer understand what is going through the actor’s head in regards towards Georgia. The music quickly changes when the little fellow realizes she is eyeing her man, Jack Cameron, played by Malcolm Waite, at the bar, not the lone prospector. Once again the music helps the viewer realize how the actor feels. At the end when the house is about to tip over the music is dramatic but comical at the same time letting the viewer know this is not going to be the end of the lone prospector. Once the lone prospector and Big Jim find the money, the music is upbeat and inviting again. As in most romantic comedies, the lone prospector gets the girl at the end, when they meet on the boat. The music is romantic and light, showing how she feels towards the little fellow as well.
The music in this film was an essential part of the movie. It helped the viewer in so many ways by letting them know the emotions of the characters and the atmosphere of the scene. This movie was upbeat and Charlie Chaplin made the "silent" film an enjoyable comedy mixed with romance and drama.