Sunday, April 18, 2010

City Lights (1931)

★★★★★

City Lights, a historical cinematic masterpiece. Released in 1931, is a comedy romance in pantomime. Written and directed by Charlie Chaplin, who stars as his beloved Tramp character.

A Poor, blind flower girl (Virginia Cherrill) mistakes the Tramp for a millionaire when she hears the door slam on a rich man's automobile close by. The Tramp, being smitten with her, continues the charade.

Meanwhile a drunken millionaire (Harry Myers) is suicidal when his wife leaves. The Tramp happens to be at the right place at the right time, and saves the millionaire from jumping into the river. He assures the wealthy man that "Tomorrow the Birds Will Sing!". The millionaire declares that he's been cured, and that they are now friends for life, and thus treats the Tramp to the luxuries of a wealthy man's lifestyle. There is a catch, though. When the Eccentric Millionaire sobers up, there is no recollection of befriending this tramp.

An interesting little tidbit to know is that Virginia Cherrill was the first wife of Cary Grant!

Read more from Wikipedia, and IMDb

Charlie Chaplin