The Gold Rush (1925)

by Charles Chaplin
Music composed by Charles Chaplin in 1942 when he edited the film slightly, took out the title-cards and added a narration to the film, thus making it a sound film.
Score restored and adapted for live performance to fit the original silent 1925 version (with re-inserted title cards) by Timothy Brock

Synopsis

A calm and content Little Tramp seeks his fortune in the hidden gold mines of the Klondike. All calm is quickly lost, however, when another prospector, just as famished as he is, begins mistaking him for a giant chicken. In this world where shoe laces become spaghetti and bread rolls become ballet shoes, Chaplin, the alchemist, turns gold into poetry.

Technical Specifications

• Screening time: approx. 88 minutes
• 35 mm and digital formats available
• Projection speed for 35 mm: 24 frames per second, Needs specially cut aperture gate, and rack adjustments in the last reel.
• Mute, no sound effects
• State of the art projector essential

Copyright of both original and revised scores: Roy Export Company Establishment and Bourne Co. All rights reserved.

Instrumentation

new score restoration by Timothy Brock 2007

• 2 Flutes (2nd dbl.Piccolo)
• 1 Oboe (dbl. English Horn)
• 3 Clarinets (3rd dbl. Bass-clarinet)
• 1 Bassoon
• 2 Horns
• 2 Trumpets
• 2 Trombones
• Tuba
• Percussion (3 players)
• Harp
• Accordion
• Piano (dbl. Celeste)
• Strings (10,8,6,4,2)
• Percussion list: Timpani, Snare drum, Grancassa, Choke cymbal, Suspended cymbal, Large cymbals, Sleigh bells, Temple blocks, Lion’s Roar, Spoons, Chimes, Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Vibraphone

Reduced Orchestration

Music by Charles Chaplin
Chamber orchestra version compiled by Timothy Brock 2007
Available for very small venues and/or local cultural organisations with low funding. Not available for venues seating more than 700

15 players

• Flute (dbl. picc.)
• Oboe (dbl. E. horn)
• Clarinet in Bb or in A (dbl Bass-cl.)
• Bassoon
• Piano (dbl. celeste)
• Percussion (1 player):
  Suspended Cymbal
  Choke cymbal
  Sleigh Bells
  Tenor snare drum
  Bass drum (grancassa, not kick)
  Lion’s Roar
  Temple Blocks
  Glockenspiel
  Spoons (preferably hard wooden ones)
• 4 Violins
• 2 Violas
• 2 Violoncelli
• Contrabass

Trailer of The Gold Rush

---

Listen to the Music

List of Films

• How To Make Movies
• A Dog's Life
• Shoulder Arms
• Sunnyside
• A Day's Pleasure
• The Kid
• The Idle Class
• Pay Day
• The Pilgrim
• A Woman Of Paris
• The Gold Rush
• The Circus
• City Lights
• Modern Times
• The Great Dictator
• With A Smile