Ang Fang Live with Charlie Chaplin’s The Gold Rush
Charlie Chaplin is the poor man’s Buster Keaton. His comic stylings are annoying, his antics boring and the vast array of his films take up valuable space on cinematic shelves worldwide. That said, The Ang Fang Quartet presents Charlie Chaplin’s ‘Gold Rush’ has turned me around to the idea of watching his films, if only with live accompaniment.
Old silent films were originally made to be performed with live orchestras, or in the case of remote towns, an old man on a broken piano. That groups like The Ang Fang Quartet are still out there continuing this tradition is a wonderful thing to behold. They weave modern classics into the narrative of Chaplin’s movie, including ‘Riders on the storm’ at the outbreak of a nasty storm, and their polka version of ‘Stayin’ Alive’ had me giggling uncontrollably.
Complete with cartoon sound effects such as duck calls and drum rolls, this is a highly entertaining alternative to the usual stand-up. If you’re up for something different, and dread ‘audience participation’, then sit back and take in a movie with a difference.
The Gold Rush is hilarious and the Ang Fang Quartet are handsome.
Wow… that’s a big call Tim Norton. You say …”Chaplin is annoying… boring… & takes up valuable shelf space”. I think you are a bit out of your depth. Every comedian I have spoken to, whether or not they are a fan, understands the brilliance of Chaplin… as a comedian, writer, producer and musician. So, please lead to to your brilliant work Tim… I’d like to see what gives you the credability to challenge him. John Cleese stated that “reviewers are failed performers… if they were any good, they’d be performing themselves”. And for you to call one of the finest physical comedians annoying… I don’t think you understand the genre!
You ask what gives me the credibility to challenge him? I don’t challenge anyone. I’m merely putting forward my review of this (very good) performance, and how it relates to my pre-existing opinion of Charlie Chaplin. By saying I don’t understand the genre of comedy, I say you’re completely right – I lack any real experience or understanding of performing comedy. I do, however, have a University degree in Cinema studies, and have written several major essays on the good (and bad) aspects of both Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. I wouldn’t say I am any expert on either of these artists, I’m just saying I have some research behind me and even if I didn’t, I’m still entitled to my opinion.
Hey Tim, I was also dumbfounded when I read that you found the comic stylings of CC annoying. I understand, he’s not for everyone, but you can’t deny what he has done for silent movies (i.e. before CC, the Keystone Cops were the most sophisticated comedy). I think he’s the most important comedian historically and has influenced the majority of physical comedians at some level. Anyway, it just rekindles my thoughts that there is a Chaplin Vs Keaton debate. I believe that people usually respect both, but much prefer one or the other. I’m a Chaplin lover, but lets face it, like him or not, he’s done some amazing work.
True… true… he was a seminal figure in film history, and I’m fine with the idea that some people prefer him over Keaton. The debate rages on… *ominous music*
Oh yeah… the Ang Fang Quartet were AMAZING!
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