ipl-logo

Charlie Chaplin's City Lights

1232 Words5 Pages

Charlie Chaplin (1889 - 1977), a multitalented artist, directed, produced, and wrote the story for City Lights. He had been developing the idea for this silent film several years prior to 1931, even though the movie industry was moving into talking films by this time. Chaplin refused to completely abandon the silent film medium for sound, his high-ranking status granted him total creative control, allowing him to edit the film his way, and offered him the first chance to compose the musical score for City Lights. The music was orchestrated by Arthur Johnston and Alfred Newman. The Flower Girl’s theme provided by José Padilla. The excellent cinematography was by Rollie Totheroh, Gordon Pollock, and Mark Marklatt.

Much of the films with Chaplin …show more content…

“Chaplin’s world-view was that he was raised in poverty. (Inasmuch, he popularized his light-hearted character) with the trademark baggy trousers, hat, cane an carefully trimmed moustache. He was a household name by 1915. In 1918 he signed the film industry‘s first million-dollar contract” (Roberts & Wallis 130). His creation of the tramp in the Depression ear of the 1920s and 1930s was praised for connecting to the average American or British citizens that were suffering with poverty in those times. He was them and they were he, and each understood what it meant to be homeless, starving, and …show more content…

I was hooked from there and became a fan instantly, and immediately started watching several more comedy duos like Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Abbott and Costello, Laurel and Hardy, and noticed the similarity with what the Stooges did. Than it dawn on me that no, they were inspired by Chaplin’s physical comedy. But I also saw some of Buster Keaton’s films and noticed some resemblances to Charlie Chaplin‘s style as well.

However, Chaplin’s portrayal of the Little Tramp character on film is more endearing, and emotionally more connected with the average person just trying to get by in a big, sometimes cold, domineering world full of pitfalls that some face on a daily basis. Chaplin’s legacy is surely felt by other famous comedians and comedy duos that came after him, he was highly influential in the entertainment industry for decades, he had many imitators along the way, but there is only one Charlie Chaplin and one Little

Show More
Related
797 Words | 4 Pages

Along with his family he had many supporting friends that helped him many times. In addition to his

Read More
1228 Words | 5 Pages

James J. Braddock, Mae Braddock and their wonder kids in the movie “Cinderella Man” showed us the changes people of the 30’s faced as the Great Depression hit and the life changing decisions they made in order to cope with the situation bro upon them. That up to this day many have yet to recover from and still live if fear of such a time repeating itself. A time where everything was used to the last drop. While on the other had the newer generations will never understand such a struggle. Many children nowadays will throw out the ketchup bottle when it's not coming out smoothly, but in the 30’ that was never an option you scraped it all out till the last

Read More
830 Words | 4 Pages

Even though facts were left out in the movie, Cinderella Man portrayed the lives of many middle class families across America in a beautiful picture of hope during the Great Depression. Cinderella Man gave examples of how James Braddock and his children survived on small provisions everyday, exposed Hoovervilles as dark slums, and portrayed how difficult getting a job was. Overall Cinderella Man did an amazing job on portraying the Great Depression during the

Read More
752 Words | 4 Pages

He felt so bad and started to contemplate on what he was doing. That’s when he decided to change and to help the people who were still out

Read More
637 Words | 3 Pages

Literature that stimulates the feeling of pity, sympathy and sorrow is Pathos. The two pieces of literature express pathos in different lights, showcasing a rollercoaster of emotions for the reader. John Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men and Christie McLaren’s article “Suitcase Lady” both expose heartache and social inequalities to deduce the feeling of commiseration. The bleak hardship of life affirms the heartache through Lennie and the Suitcase Lady. Lennie is loyal to George and is terrified of upsetting his friend.

Read More
1597 Words | 7 Pages

His father died when he was only three years old, leaving the family in economic hardship. His mother struggled to raise eight children on her own. However, despite the financial difficulties, she realized the importance

Read More
732 Words | 3 Pages

The Good & the Bad of the 1920s “It was in the 1920s, when nobody had time to reflect, that I saw a still-life painting with a flower that was perfectly exquisite, but so small you really could not appreciate it” (Georgia O’Keeffe). The 1920’s was a decade that was associated with outrageousness. Where America changed as they recovered from World War I, they had to come up with new ways of thinking and behaving. The 1920’s were full of ups and downs.

Read More
777 Words | 4 Pages

Aristotle wrote, “It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light (Aristotle)”. The Holocaust was one of the darkest times humanity has ever seen. A machination brewed by an extraordinarily perverse man that resulted in the deaths of millions, and robbed millions more of their faith and hope. Families were torn apart, towns were destroyed, and humanity lost, all to satisfy one man’s extreme racism and psychotic agenda. If however, one only chooses to focus on the darkness, they might overlook the light, specifically in the two stories of boys who survived against all odds and shared their tales years after defying death.

Read More
663 Words | 3 Pages

He was born into a family of six: his parents, a younger brother, and older sister, a younger sister, and himself. He was born a very sickly child, with asthma and all. Growing up, he loved education, even though he

Read More
1328 Words | 6 Pages

He noticed a man dumping leftover food in a street. He sprinted over to it and devoured every last piece, gaining the energy to keep moving on. He had to live as a homeless beggar for a while, searching the streets for just enough food and water to

Read More
491 Words | 2 Pages

In the midst of all of this he finds a balance by focusing on what really matters. At the same time this keeps him focused on his main goal which is education. Education will be his family's way out of poverty. Through seeing his younger brother that is unemployed and will be having a child soon he looks beyond this and is genuinely proud of where he comes from. He realizes how strong his family is when he seems them fighting through poverty and making things.

Read More
754 Words | 4 Pages

German Expressionism has influenced thousands of films and filmmakers since the art movement began in the 1920’s. It is known for its dismissal of the standard conventions of Western filmmaking for a more off-kilter style of storytelling. Some film historians consider Metropolis (1927) to be one of the most groundbreaking German Expressionist films ever made. However, there are many instances throughout Metropolis in which it deviates from the eccentric Expressionist style. There are many obvious occurrences of expressionism during Metropolis, for example the opening machine sequence, but conventional Western techniques are also common in the film.

Read More
688 Words | 3 Pages

Despite the differences in their comedic styles, both The Gold Rush and The General have a timeless quality that has helped cement their places as classic films. Both films feature standout performances from Chaplin and Keaton, with each bringing their own unique comedic style to the screen. While both films share similarities in terms of humor, physical comedy, and comedic timing, they each have their own distinct comedic style that makes them unique and worthy of

Read More
895 Words | 4 Pages

Darkness can be a comfortable place for anyone. Without having to look at yourself or have people see you, one may not feel as judged or insecure. Light is revealing. In a bright room, you can’t hide tears, blemishes, or emotions. Blanche, from A Streetcar Named Desire, knows the pain of light all to well.

Read More
857 Words | 4 Pages

Wes Anderson usually has the same Robert Yeoman and their styles mashed together can be seen throughout this film. Yeoman likes use the same shots and camera movements repeated in Andersons films. The first is the symmetrical item and actor placement that I had already discussed in the previous paragraph. The pan movement is used thought the film. The camera will often be focused on one person then swiftly pan over to another area or character to show different perspectives of the room.

Read More

More about Charlie Chaplin's City Lights

Related Topics

Open Document