Published: 11/21/2023 9:01:17 AM
Modified: 11/21/2023 9:00:23 AM
Town Hall Theatre, 40 Main St. in Wilton, will present “The Gold Rush,” starring Charlie Chaplin, Sunday, Nov. 26, at 2 p.m.
The screening, the latest in the venue's silent film series, will feature live accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis, a New Hampshire-based composer who specializes in creating music for silent films. “The Gold Rush,” one of the top-grossing films of the silent era, finds Chaplin's iconic “Little Tramp” character journeying to the frozen wastelands of the Yukon. There as a prospector, the tramp's search for gold turns into a pursuit of romance, with plenty of laughs along the way.
The film contains several famous scenes, both comic and dramatic, including a starving Chaplin forced to eat his shoe for Thanksgiving dinner and a heartbreaking New Year's Eve celebration.
As a comedian, Chaplin emerged as the first superstar in the early days of cinema. From humble beginnings as a musical hall entertainer in England, he came to Hollywood and used his talents to rise to the pinnacle of stardom in the then-new medium of motion pictures. His popularity never waned, and his image remains recognized around the world to this day.
Admission is free, but donations are accepted, with $10 per person suggested to defray expenses. For information, call the theater at 603-654-3456.