Guide Note

City Lights is a silent film that was released in 1935. It stars Charlie Chaplin, who also wrote and directed the film. Chaplin also composed the musical score for the film. The plot revolves around Chaplin's Tramp character falling in love with a poor, blind, girl who mistakes him for a millionaire. The end of the film, which depicts the girl, her sight now returned, mocking and then accepting the tramp, has been heralded as one of the most touching and powerful scenes in all of cinema. Though movies with sound, known at the time as "talkies," had largely replaced silent films by the end of 1928, Chaplin was able to use his financial means and influence in Hollywood to make City Lights according to his artistic vision. City Lights is widely recognized as Chaplin's crowning achievement and as one of the greatest films of all time.

Fast Facts

1. Director: Charlie Chaplin
2. Chaplin also wrote the film, starred in it, and composed the musical score
3. Released on January 30, 1931
4. Starring Charlie Chaplin, Virginia Cherrill, Florence Lee, Harry Myers
5. At one point fired Cherrill and tried to refilm the movie with Georgia Hale
6. Widely considered among the greatest films of all time