The Gold Rush

Chaplin has repeatedly declared that this is the film for which he most wants to be remembered.   The Little Tramp in this film travels to Alaska to take part in the Alaska Gold Rush. 

Memorable scene: Chaplin and his cabin-mate are starving: first they attempt to eat a stewed shoe and later the Tramp’s companion begins to deliriously imagine Chaplin as an oversized chicken. 

This is a scene which has been parodied endlessly since and remains one of the most iconic scenes in comedy history.

The Circus

Despite the many catastrophes which occurred during the production of this film (including a studio fire, the death if Chaplin’s mother and a run-in with the IRS), The Circus is the seventh highest grossing silent film, earning $ 3.8 million in 1928. 

Memorable scene: The Little Tramp is on the run from the law, and seeks refuge under a circus tent where he unintentionally interrupts the clown act to great comedic effect. 

The ringmaster then employs him as a clown, only to discover the Little Tramp can only be funny unintentionally.

Modern Times

This 1936 comedy sees the iconic Little Tramp struggling to survive in the modern, industrialised world, providing a comment on the social and fiscal situation during the Great Depression. The film is notable as the last film to feature The Little Tramp. 

Memorable scene: The Tramp, having tightened so many bolts is unable to shake off this robotic movement thus symbolising how the machine has infected the man.

 

 

 

 

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