Hasn't a friend ever come to you and said:

"I want you to meet Corey Ford — or whatever his name happens to be. You'll like him — he's a great boy. You ought to hear him tell a joke. Honest, he'll have you laughing your head off before you sit down."

And so the friend goes on to tell why you should like Corey until you decide to dedicate your life to avoiding him. Nine times out of ten it happens you don't see a thing in the promised prodigy.

That is the way I felt when I went to see Charlie Chaplin in The Gold Rush. I wasn't so sure I wanted to see the picture. I was afraid. In the past ten or twelve months there have been numerous articles, pictures, and interviews about Charlie Chaplin and his latest picture. They frankly had it that nothing like The Gold Rush had ever been seen. It was the greatest film ever produced. With becoming modesty I dare to say they have been a little overenthusiastic. But you'll like it. It is Chaplin. He is still peerless in his field.

There are not as many laughs as usual. Instead Chaplin has put drama in its place, a difficult thing to do. The picture is worth seeing if only to watch the Oceans Roll. He is still the master at pantomime. Perhaps you have never taken any particular interest in rolls, except as something to eat Chaplin brings two rolls to life. He makes them dance — and you are thrilled. Only Chaplin could do it.

And did you happen to see The Salvation Hunters? If you remember, it was a flop. But two good actors were in it, and one of them plays the part of Georgia in The Gold Rush. Her name is Georgia Hale. All the sub-titles ever say about her is — Georgia. That is enough. She does not lose suture in the shadow of genius.

Of course you have already decided to see this picture. So don't let bridges games, dinner dates, dances, or even a good book interfere, because you cannot afford to miss a picture written, directed, and acted by a great man. It's Chaplin.

Publication Date: September, 1925