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Avid · 09-12-2002, 07:34 PM

In the 1940s Chaplin went back and put a sound narration in some (or all -- I don't know how many) of his films. Last I heard, the Warner releases will be the sound re-edited versions. I hope they include the silent versions but have not heard anything to indicate they will.

I really wish I knew if he left some of his films alone or if all of them were redone, so I would know if I need to track them down now or wait.

The only one Image released as the sound version was The Gold Rush. Here is part of the DVDFile review:

"I spent a long time on the fence as I considered whether to recommend this disc. You see, this is not the 1925 version of THE GOLD RUSH. Instead it is the 1942 reissue. This reissue features a Chaplin-voiced narration that was obviously not present when the film was released in 1925. Had the narration been limited to a short introduction and little else, it would not be a big deal. However, the narration does much more than that. Chaplin inexplicably explains much of the action, even though little needs to be explained in its untainted silent state. As if this were not bad enough, Chaplin provides an occasional voice to what the characters are saying. I was hopelessly distracted and frustrated by this narration.

The presence of the narration is not the only difference. The intertitles have been eliminated, which at least makes SOME sense because the narration does the job of the intertitles. Chaplin also reedited the film, and these changes are detailed in The Cut List. Chaplin committed this atrocity because he was trying to appease an audience that supposedly had little interest in silent films.

Adding dialogue would make THE GOLD RUSH mainstream again to an audience accustomed to talkies. It is like what George Lucas did with the Star Wars Trilogy. The special effects were "dated," so he made changes fitting with contemporary expectations for special effects. He also messed around with the editing, just as Chaplin did. These new versions of the films replaced the older versions in the minds of both directors (Lucas has been quoted), at least this is what the Chaplin Estate would have us believe by continuing to release the 1942 version despite the protests of many people.

Ultimately I have concluded that I cannot recommend this release. I cannot stand the narration, and I do not understand why both versions of the film are not being released. They could have easily fit both films on one side of the disc, with room to spare for extras. The 1925 version of THE GOLD RUSH is one of the top 100 films of all time. But the 1942 version would not even make my top 500."

09-12-2002, 07:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
Avid Actor Join Date: Nov 2001	In the 1940s Chaplin went back and put a sound narration in some (or all -- I don't know how many) of his films. Last I heard, the Warner releases will be the sound re-edited versions. I hope they include the silent versions but have not heard anything to indicate they will. I really wish I knew if he left some of his films alone or if all of them were redone, so I would know if I need to track them down now or wait. The only one Image released as the sound version was The Gold Rush. Here is part of the DVDFile review: "I spent a long time on the fence as I considered whether to recommend this disc. You see, this is not the 1925 version of THE GOLD RUSH. Instead it is the 1942 reissue. This reissue features a Chaplin-voiced narration that was obviously not present when the film was released in 1925. Had the narration been limited to a short introduction and little else, it would not be a big deal. However, the narration does much more than that. Chaplin inexplicably explains much of the action, even though little needs to be explained in its untainted silent state. As if this were not bad enough, Chaplin provides an occasional voice to what the characters are saying. I was hopelessly distracted and frustrated by this narration. The presence of the narration is not the only difference. The intertitles have been eliminated, which at least makes SOME sense because the narration does the job of the intertitles. Chaplin also reedited the film, and these changes are detailed in The Cut List. Chaplin committed this atrocity because he was trying to appease an audience that supposedly had little interest in silent films. Adding dialogue would make THE GOLD RUSH mainstream again to an audience accustomed to talkies. It is like what George Lucas did with the Star Wars Trilogy. The special effects were "dated," so he made changes fitting with contemporary expectations for special effects. He also messed around with the editing, just as Chaplin did. These new versions of the films replaced the older versions in the minds of both directors (Lucas has been quoted), at least this is what the Chaplin Estate would have us believe by continuing to release the 1942 version despite the protests of many people. Ultimately I have concluded that I cannot recommend this release. I cannot stand the narration, and I do not understand why both versions of the film are not being released. They could have easily fit both films on one side of the disc, with room to spare for extras. The 1925 version of THE GOLD RUSH is one of the top 100 films of all time. But the 1942 version would not even make my top 500." __________________ OAR or :barf: