Gold Rush restoration

Being new to this lively group (just read some of the threads touching on politics, God help me), I've missed some good info. Do I remember a post referring to a restoration of 'The Gold Rush'? If so, could someone shed a little light on this? I've always thought that the narration in the 1942 release added nothing and removed much of the magic from this film. The silent version, to my mind, is so much more successful

Well- I happen to like William Perry's piano score for THE GOLD RUSH.

referring to a restoration of 'The Gold Rush'? If so, could someone shed a little light on this?

Kevin Brownlow and David Gill under the banner of their company Photoplay - entered into an arrangement with the Chaplin Estate to produce a restoration of THE GOLD RUSH, back in the early 90's. The results were breathtaking although Brownlow - perfectionist that he his - insisted that it be labled a 'work in progress.'

to (unless I've just hallucinated all this!) would involve using the 1942 reissue print, retaining CC's score, eliminating the narration, and reinstating the titles and the final scene. Is this what has happened, and if so, is it available?

It was a bit more involved an undertaking than that - definitely not a cut and dried proposition. Brownlow and Gill literally searched the world for best materials on the original version. Carl Davis fitted Chaplin's 1942 music to the restoration and even incorporated some of Chaplin's compostions for the film that were never used! (the results - I can tell you were enough to impress the hell out of this Chaplin enthusist - my comment at the time was 'THIS should now be thought of as the definitive version.'.) Sadly this version IS NOT available on video and has only had limited worldwide exhibition thus far....

And BTW - I also enjoy the Perry score.

'What one loves about life are the things that fade.' - Michael Cimino's HEAVEN'S GATE

It's good for a piano score, but IMO, it pales in comparison to CC's score.

Connie K.