City Lights story

movie: City Lights (1931) · 1931-01-30

City Lights is a 1931 American pre-Code silent romantic comedy film written, produced, directed by, and starring Charlie Chaplin. The story follows the misadventures of Chaplin's Tramp as he falls in love with a blind girl (Virginia Cherrill) and develops a turbulent friendship with an alcoholic millionaire (Harry Myers).

20 total · 1 choice · 10 major · 9 minor

ThemeLevelMotivation
infatuation choice The tramp became besotted with the blind flower girl and she with who she thought was a wealthy man.
alcohol abuse major The millionaire was a raging alcoholic.
blindness major The flower girl was blind.
desire vs. conscience major Should the tramp help the blind flower girl to regain sight knowing she will likely find him repulsive?
friendship major The tramp and millionaire were fast friends when drunk.
rich character vs. poor character major A penniless but cheerful tramp was contraposed with a suicidal millionaire.
sacrifice for a loved one major The tramp entered a boxing contest in order get the money the flower girl needed to pay her rent.
social inequality major A penniless tramp and a blind flower girl struggled mightily, while a hard partying millionaire wanted for nothing except happiness.
the sport of boxing major There was an extended episode of pantomime boxing.
theft major There were two robbers in the millionaire's home and then the tramp was accused of the crime and ended up serving a prison sentence as a result.