Films are something that we all look towards for escapism – the action, the humour, the romance, the animation. Sometimes these can hold so much more meaning then just an image on a screen and create narratives and memories in our own lives. Welcome to the sister article to Music Memories where we take a look at some of these personal stories attached to films.

Film: City Lights
Original Release Date: 1931

I am a huge fan of Charlie Chaplin due to how amazing his physical comedy is for a time when camera equipment was so limited. I first started really taking interest in Chaplin when I was at college and our final project was a silent film. I adored editing it and creating it and to get inspiration and to understand the genre a lot more I would watch Chaplin and this was the first whole film I watched.

Right from the start it was so funny. The way the music created the humour and heightened the physical comedy was outstanding and it blew me away. I became an instant fan. City Lights is such a fun film there were so many hilarious parts including the restaurant, the statue and the port to name a few. The only part I am not too keen on is the boxing scene.

Silent movies have some amazing comedy and I really recommend a watch.

Facts about City Lights

• Chaplin re-shot the scene in which the Little Tramp buys a flower from the blind flower-girl 342 times, as he could not find a satisfactory way of showing that she thought the mute tramp was wealthy.
• Chaplin’s first film made during the sound era
• Chaplin’s personal favorite of all his films.
• One of Chaplin’s most financially successful and critically acclaimed films despite being released well into the sound era.

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