City Lights [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray]

City Lights [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray]

 Cast: Virginia Cherrill
Virginia Cherrill
, Harry Myers
Harry Myers
, Florence Lee
Florence Lee
, Allan Garcia
Allan Garcia
, Hank Mann
Hank Mann
City Lights [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray]

City Lights [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray]

 Cast: Virginia Cherrill
Virginia Cherrill
, Harry Myers
Harry Myers
, Florence Lee
Florence Lee
, Allan Garcia
Allan Garcia
, Hank Mann
Hank Mann

Blu-ray (Black & White)

$39.99 
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Overview

Charles Chaplin was deep into production of his silent City Lights when Hollywood was overwhelmed by the talkie revolution. After months of anguished contemplation, Chaplin decided to finish the film as it began--in silence, save for a musical score and an occasional sound effect. Once again cast as the Little Tramp, Chaplin makes the acquaintance of a blind flower girl (Virginia Cherrill), who through a series of coincidences has gotten the impression that the shabby tramp is a millionaire. A second storyline begins when the tramp rescues a genuine millionaire (Harry Myers) from committing suicide. When drunk, the millionaire expansively treats the tramp as a friend and equal; when sober, he doesn't even recognize him. The two plots come together when the tramp attempts to raise enough money for the blind girl to have an eye operation. Highlights include an extended boxing sequence pitting scrawny Chaplin against muscle-bound Hank Mann, and the poignant final scene in which the now-sighted flower girl sees her impoverished benefactor for the first time. Chaplin's decision to release the silent City Lights three years into the talkie era was partially vindicated when more than one critic singled out this "comedy in pantomime" as the best picture of 1931.

Product Details

Release Date: 03/22/2016
UPC: 0715515172516
Original Release: 1931
Rating: NR
Source: Criterion Collection
Region Code: A
Presentation: [B&W]
Language: English
Time: 1:26:00
Sales rank: 8,706

Special Features

New digital restoration from a 4k film transfer, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack; New Audio Commentary by Charlie Chaplin biographer Jeffrey Vance; Chaplin Today: "City Lights," a 2003 documentary on the film, featuring Aardman Animations cofounder Peter Lord; Chaplin Studios: Creative Freedom by Design, a new interview program featuring visual effects expert Craig Barron; Archival footage from the production of City Lights, including film from the set, with Audio Commentary by Chaplin historian Hooman Mehran: a costume test: a rehearsal; and a complete scene not used in the film; Exerpt from Chaplin's short film The Champion (1915), along with footage of the Director with boxing stars at Chaplin Studios in 1918; Trailers; Plus: A booklet featuring an essay by critic Gary Giddins and a 1966 interview with Chaplin; Awards

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Virginia Cherrill Blind Girl
Harry Myers Millionaire
Florence Lee Grandmother
Allan Garcia Butler,The Eccentric Millionaire's Butler
Hank Mann Prizefighter
Albert Austin Street Cleaner
Henry Bergman Janitor
Jean Harlow An Extra
John Rand Tramp
Robert Graves Actor
Austen Jewell Actor
Willie Keeler Actor
Granville Redmond Actor
Jean Carpenter Extra in restaurant scene
Charlie Chaplin Little Tramp,Composer
James Donnelly Foreman
Stanhope Wheatcroft Man in Cafe
Robert Parrish Actor
Eddie Baker Actor
Jack Sutherland Party Guest
Alfred Newman Composer

Technical Credits
Charlie Chaplin Director,Screenwriter,Producer
Harry Carr Screenwriter
Henry Bergman Screenwriter
Harry Crocker Screenwriter
Albert Austin Screenwriter
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