City Lights (1931)

City Lights Poster

In this sound-era silent film, a tramp falls in love with a beautiful blind flower seller.

Overview
"City Lights", a silent romantic funny released in 1931, is frequently considered one of Charlie Chaplin's best works. In spite of the arrival of noise in movie theater, Chaplin, who directed, wrote, and starred in the film, chose to continue dealing with an essentially quiet format, tactically utilizing sound results but no spoken dialogue. The factor behind this choice was Chaplin's belief in the universal language of physical expression, being afraid that voices might circumscribe the appeal.

Storyline and Characters
In "City Lights", Chaplin plays the renowned character of the Little Tramp, who falls in love with a blind flower girl, played by Virginia Cherrill. Incorrect for a millionaire by Cherrill, Chaplin's character begins a friendship and a romance imbued with laughter and pathos. Chaplin's character also befriends a real intoxicated millionaire, played by Harry Myers, who just acknowledges the tramp when he is intoxicated.

Plot
In an attempt to assist the blind girl, the Tramp takes on various jobs, resulting in a series of comical experiences. He ends up being a street cleaner, a fighter, and even tries his hand at being a millionaire, each attempt bringing its own set of humorous bad luck. On the other hand, the millionaire offers financial backing to the Tramp whenever he's intoxicated, however does not recognize him when sober.

When the Tramp discovers an expensive operation that might bring back the flower woman's sight, he devotes his every waking minute to raising the money. The resulting chaotic scenarios, including a remarkable boxing match, are wonderfully comical and filled with Chaplin's signature humor and physical slapstick.

Climax
The story reaches its peak when the Tramp effectively delivers the money for the operation to the flower girl, only to be misinterpreted for a burglar by the police as the cash was originally stolen by the millionaire when he was intoxicated. The Tramp is sent to prison and only after serving his time does he finally reunite with the flower girl.

End Note
The climax scene is frequently considered one of the absolute work of arts of film history. The girl, who has actually now restored her sight and runs her own flower store, does not acknowledge the tramp as the guy who helped her up until she touches his hand. The development of feeling on Chaplin's face perfectly summarizes the entire narrative, handling to be amusing, poignant, and touching at the exact same time.

"City Lights" is an everlasting tribute to the silent film age that showcases Chaplin's amazing comic timing, fantastic storytelling, and definitely raw feeling. It's a movie that warms our hearts by showcasing the gorgeous simpleness of quiet movies, moving us with its universal styles of love, relationship, and human empathy.

Top Cast

  • Charlie Chaplin (small)
    Charlie Chaplin
    Tramp
  • Virginia Cherrill (small)
    Virginia Cherrill
    A Blind Girl
  • Harry Myers (small)
    Harry Myers
    An Eccentric Millionaire
  • Al Ernest Garcia (small)
    Al Ernest Garcia
    The Millionaire's Butler James
  • Hank Mann (small)
    Hank Mann
    A Prizefighter
  • Albert Austin (small)
    Albert Austin
    Street Sweeper / Burglar (uncredited)
  • Eddie Baker
    Boxing Fight Referee (uncredited)
  • Henry Bergman (small)
    Henry Bergman
    Mayor / Blind Girl's Downstairs Neighbor (uncredited)
  • Buster Brodie (small)
    Buster Brodie
    Bald Party Guest (uncredited)
  • Jeanne Carpenter (small)
    Jeanne Carpenter
    Extra in Restaurant Scene (uncredited)
  • Tom Dempsey (small)
    Tom Dempsey
    Boxer (uncredited)