For some reason, people kept going to see Charlie Chaplin's films even though they were still made as silent films. They'd see a poster like the one to the left and say, "Look! A new Charlie Chaplin film. Let's go see it!" They didn't care that it was silent because it was made by Chaplin.
Based on the degree of laughter I heard in class when we watched this, it seemed that many of you liked this film as much as its audiences did when it was released. And that's a great thing. And now, it is time to comment on the film. When you do so, remember to write 3 full paragraphs and follow these instructions:
1) Answer BOTH of the following questions:
- What moments of the film were indicative of Charlie Chaplin's filmmaker style?
- At this point, which of the three great silent comedians is your favorite: Harold Lloyd, Buster Keaton, or Charlie Chaplin? Why?
2) Answer TWO of the following questions:
- Charlie Chaplin hated sound films (talkies). He just wanted music and that is all. He didn't want any talking. The studios kept pressuring him to add talking but he refused. What did he do in this film to show his dislike for talking in movies?
- Why do you think people kept going to see Chaplin's movies even though they were silent and all the other films at the time were talkies?
- What was your favorite scene in this movie? Why?
- Would you recommend this film to your best friend? Why or why not?
- Which moments of the film do you feel were particularly brilliant in their use of cinematography, editing, writing, or acting? What made the use of that element in that scene so brilliant?
- Did the film raise any questions for you about film history or national history? If so, write your question in your response then write the answer to that question (use the internet to find the answer).
- ...or... respond to someone else's comment in a civil and loving manner. When you do, back up your opinion with at least three examples/logical points.
(Note: if you were not in class to watch City Lights, you can find it on your own and watch it or watch any other feature-length film made by Charlie Chaplin. Then, respond in the comments based on the film you saw. If you watched an alternative film, be sure to tell us in your comments which one it was.)
I think a lot of Charlie's indicative moments in the movie happened a lot, lots of bad things happen to him but in a comedic way. Those moments definitely represent his style. He's overall just a funny guy. So far I've liked Charlie Chaplin the best because his movie had the most feelings. The acting showed they really loved each other plus it was pretty funny.
ReplyDeleteI would for sure recommend this to a friend just to see their reaction to it. If they liked or not or even if they despised it. Also people just need to see black and white movies for those cheesy parts and for wanting to get a better look or idea on films. More of why id also recommend it to a friend would be to see how the view black and white movies, especially this one.
I loved the beginning of the movie, first of all it started in a really big area which I really like and second of all Charlie totally showed how he hated sound films. The camera sat in front of the spokespeople, zoomed in and showing them talking. Instead of just natural humans talking it was just muffled almost weird noises. If that doesn't say what Charlie is trying to make it say then I don't know what would. Awesome movie!
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DeleteI'm glad you've gained an appreciation for the need to see silent films/historical films. Did you have that before you took this class?
Charlie Chaplin’s filmmaking style is, at least to me, very distinct. While he is one of many comedic actors at the time, he adds to the laughter by creating his own character and sticking with it throughout the films. He has an attitude about him in City Lights that almost makes him seem like a playful child. From the expressions on his face to the way he walks, in every scene he captures that character perfectly.
ReplyDeleteCharlie Chaplin has been one of my favorite actors for a long time and still manages to hold that title. Over his lifetime he made over 80 films and each had their own character and style about them. His presence on the screen alone can add a new element to the film that can’t be found anywhere else.
To show his dislike for sound in movies he added in over-edited voices in the beginning to mock the industry for making something so ‘ridiculous’.
Something that I noticed this time around watching the film was a line that was used towards the beginning of the film after the first night with the drunken man. Before the upcoming scene, the text on the screen stated, “The sober dawn awakens a different man”. That statement alone made me think of the film in a deeper sense. While it may still be a comedy, and there isn’t meant to be much depth to it, the situation the drunken man is in has more depth behind it than is shown on the screen.
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DeleteChaplin is pretty darn awesome. It's no wonder people kept paying to see his silent films even after talkies came about.
Bad things happen to him but it's funny and he's not all negative about it. My favorite is Charlie Chaplin because he's a babe and he's funny. I love how he does his makeup and the way he makes his films. He was a very beautiful movie maker.
ReplyDeleteI think people kept going to see his films because he was a classic film maker and he was still funny and original always. He stayed true to what he wanted to do and didn't just start making talkies like other film makers.
I would recommend this film to my best friend because it's so funny and I think he would enjoy it.
I love that you refer to Charlie as a "babe". Why do you say that?
DeleteTwo required questions answered: check. Two other questions answered: check. You have three paragraphs here but please make them longer. That will lead to more detailed thoughts on each point.
In this response, I can feel your love for Chaplin. He really is pretty great. I'm glad you like him so much.
420 swag
ReplyDeleteThis drug reference is disturbing.
DeleteCharlie Chaplin played his trademark character the tramp. It helps bring attention to the homeless problem and shows that the homeless were people to. It also has a rich character that helps with certain things and plays the other side of the arguement showing that the rich are good too.
ReplyDeleteMy personal favorite of the three greats is Buster Keaton. I like his movies because they have a kind of serious undertone while the actual movie is a comedy. It will make you laugh but it keeps your attention on the plot with minimal distractions.
Chaplin would mock movies with voices by putting cartoon sounds over a characters voice to show he doesn’t need to have voices to have a good movie. People probably kept going to Chaplin’s silent films because they were kind of dying out and people wanted to watch them while they still could. Also they had perfected silent films while films with sound were still rather new and they didn’t have all of the kinks worked out.
Tigger Payne 2nd
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DeleteWe are kindred spirits in our love for Keaton. I have a really hard time picking between Lloyd, Keaton, and Chaplin. I love Lloyd for his underdog likeableness and Chaplin for his sheer heart. But there's something about Keaton that is special to me.
The parts in the film that indicated Charlie Chaplin’s film style weren’t exactly moments for me. It was throughout the entire movie that showed off his film style. He focused a lot on the homeless, and his character that he played was the Tramp. Also, since charlie chaplin knew what it was like to be poor, he incorporated that into his films.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the film, the tramp was trying to get money for the blind girl, so that she could pay her bills and pay for her eyesight surgery. My favorite of the trio that we are learning about is still Harold Lloyd, because he’s so nerdy and charming. I love his style, and his films are hilarious.
Charlie Chaplin made it obvious in this film that he didn’t like sound by making fun of it. He made the mayor and the crowd sound similar to what would now be the sound of charlie browns parents.
People kept going to see Charlie chaplins films because they adored charlie chaplin. Sound or not, they were excited to see another Chaplin film out. They enjoyed his films for the comedy and the real style. They loved the tramp. I would not actually recumbent this movie to my best friend because I, myself, didn’t exactly enjoy it. I was bored almost the whole time, and there were a lot of very tedious moments, like when he was looking at the nude mannequin through the window.
Erin Allgood
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DeleteI appreciate your honesty and stating how you were bored by City Lights. Your comments show me that you gave the film an honest chance (way to follow the Pirate Creed) because you payed enough attention to be able to pick out Chaplin's stylistic traits. And you were able to articulate with examples why you didn't enjoy the film. I love it when someone who dislikes a movie still gives it an honest chance and is able to state why she disliked it.
Charlie Chaplin's films are very unique in that even though film keeps moving forward and he doesn't want to. Audio is available to him during this film but he doesn't want to use it, so he doesn't. his role also makes it very clear that its his film. lots of good and bad things come his way but it all lead to one final very good thing. the part that he plays is very cool and humble, and i like that about it.
ReplyDeleteCharlie Chaplin by far, he blows them out pf the water with his work. All three of them are trying to be funny, but Charlie sells it the best. Plus, the way he plays the tramp is really cute. I like how he waddles like a penguin, and his movies are still really funny even today. I laughed at this film and i didn't laugh at either of the other two, thats what makes Charlie Chaplin better.
He didn't like talkies so he showed it by making fun of them, and i thought it was really funny. he just used a trumpet to do the voices and it made me laugh, and it made me realize his passion for his work, he wasn't doing this for the money, or he would've used sound. he was doing this because it was what he loved to do, and he displayed very well. people came to see his shows because he was genuinely funny and he put every ounce of his time into his work. you can tell he spent a long time thinking about these films he made.
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DeleteI love the passion with which you talk about Chaplin in your post!
Charlie Chaplin, a very well known figure of The Silent Era. This particular movie had a very loving story. His film maker style was first shown when they revealed a new statue and he was their sleeping on it. I seriously didn't see that coming. The best part about this scene is when he wakes up and acts like it's totally OK to do it. He starts apologizing, showing he has manners. I'm sure this was a perspective of the homeless that he wanted to emphasize. The second moment was when he falls in love with the blind girl. The homeless can feel to. The best however is when his homeless character gives her money to make herself better in life other than just keeping it for himself.
ReplyDeleteOut of the three comedians, Charlie Chaplin is my favorite. I really relate with his characters. I've been down those roads, but seeing that he makes the best of his situation is very inspiring and makes me very happy inside.
He stood his ground against talkies by adding a very funny instrumental effect in the begging when the representatives of the city introduced the new statue. I admire him for standing his ground and using his film to emphasize where he stands. The Show don't Tell of the blind girl, brilliant. He doesn't just have those cue cards that say, "The Blind girl sits selling flowers," He shows us and the audience portrays it really fast. Especially the moment when she can see again. Having her check herself in the mirror was brilliant. Love Chaplin
/Gerson Monago
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DeleteI think it's really cool how you, a teenager living in 2014, can relate with the experiences of Chaplin, a comedian living in 1931. That is pretty awesome stuff.
A lot of bad things happen to him but,he makes them happen in a funny way. I like Charlie Chaplin out of the three because Buster Keaton wasn't that funny. The way he does his makeup in his movie is also why i like his movies too.
ReplyDeleteInstead of using sound and having people talk.He replaced the talking with funny sounds. Even though the studios kept pressuring him into putting sound he didn't. By not putting sound he made it funnier. Sound probably would have made it boring.
People probably kept going to see his movies because he made his movies funny. He kept them interesting so people would laugh and keep going to see his movies. Some people couldn't make their movies interesting and people got bored. But Charlie Chaplin kept his interesting do people didn't get bored.
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DeleteThere are three paragraphs but I would like to see paragraphs that are just a little tiny bit longer. One place where you could have included more would have been in the first paragraph. Tell us more about Chaplin's style and how this film showed it. You say that Buster isn't funny. Cool. What about Lloyd? Why do you like Chaplin more than Lloyd?
The second two paragraphs are great. You state your opinion and then elaborate on it so we understand why you feel that way. Keep it up!
I could tell that this was a Chaplin film because, the film showed the struggle of being poor in a funny way. Through the blind flower girl and, the tramp. My favorite of the three Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin or, Harold Lloyd. I would have to say my favorite is Charlie Chaplin. Reason why are his movies would make me laugh the most and, he was just so funny and adorable in everything he would do; they way he walked and his facial expression are just phenomenal.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite scene in the movie was when you accidentally swallowed the whistle and when he would cough he would whistle, I can't control myself when stuff like that happens in movies,and how it just keep going; some points i thought it was over, but it would happen again and I would start laughing again, it really reminded me of that scene from the movie Snatch where the dog swallows the squeaky toy and when the dog barked he would squeak.
I would recommend it to my best friend! Because I assume everyone likes a good comedy, and this one is very good in my opinion. not only was it a good comedy it was a very good romance, just all the things the tramp did for love was just so sweet. He was sent to jail just so she could live in her house and, get her eye sight back; if that isn't love then I truly do not know what is. It just had such a lovely story and, I think my best friend would enjoy that a lot.
Three paragraphs: check (and there're on the longer side—that's good). Two required questions answered: check. Two other questions answered: check.
DeleteThe whistle things is indeed awesome and another example of how Chaplin used sound in a non-traditional way in his films.
charlie Chaplin played his usual character a homeless man but then he meets a friend that happens to be a very rich man that only likes him when he is drunk but when the rich man sobers up he doesn't remember who charlie is and doesn't want charlie around him at all but when he is drunk again he loves charlie and treats him like family and gives him things no question asked
ReplyDeleteOut of the three comedians Harold lloyd, Charlie Chaplin, and Buster Keaton i think i like buster keaton because he does crazy stunts and he only has one facial expression all of the time. Charlie Chaplin didn't like the fact that movies had sound so to show that he didn't like that made he fun of it by having weird noises when people opened their mouthes, studios kept trying to encourage him but refused and made fun of it instead
my favorite scene in the movie was when the robbery took place and the rich man got knocked out and then the cops were called and when they got there they thought that charlie was the one who robbed the rich man because the rich man gave one thousand dollars to charlie but he didn't remember because he was sober and didn't remember charlie and the whole thing looked out of context
Three paragraphs: check. Two required questions answered: check. Two other questions answered: check. Very good work.
DeleteThe situation with the drunk man really is pretty interesting. It is funny but is also poignant. There's a message there for all of us about how we look at the homeless.
Charlie Chaplin is a homeless guy in this film. I find it hard to choose which comedian was my favorite. I really loved all of them, but i might have to choose Charlie Chaplin because he really sticks to the same character. He does everything he can to help the blind girl and her grandmother.
ReplyDeleteHe put up a good fight with his partner in the fight. I also liked how the rich man would forget about Charlie, then remember him later on. I liked the end when the blind girl knew it was Charlie just by holding his hand.
I think people would go see his movies because he is one very funny guy. They just really loved his films and they still want him to make silent films. I would recommend this film to friends because i know they like funny movies. I don't know if they like silent black and white movies but i would tell them to give it a chance and they would love it.
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DeleteReading your post and the posts of others above, I am just blown away by the emotion Chaplin jams into this film. I can watch this one over and over again and enjoy it each time (especially if I'm introducing it to new people each time).
This was a truly touching film. I loved it. The story was so touching in sense that it didn't need all the dialogue and sound that today's movies need. It was a classic touching story. He cares about the girl and wants to help her with her eyes.
ReplyDeleteThe drunken guy who wants to kill himself, Charlie helps him, through a process of ridiculous falling and stumbling. The man while drunk was best friends with Charlie, but while sober, he didn't remember him at all and would be confused.
Charlie desperately tried for the money to pay the girls rent and to fix her eyes. He talks the the rich man while he is drunk and gets money for her rent and eyes. After a ridiculous cop chase confusion, he gets away and gets the money to her in the morning.
Good work writing a full, three paragraphs. From your comments, I can tell that you followed the film well and were attentive when we were watching it.
DeletePlease also be sure to answer all of the questions in the directions up above. Feel free to reply to this comment and answer them.
City Lights
ReplyDeleteI think out of all three silent film stars Mr. Charlie Chaplin is my favorite. I love how he always plays a “Tramp”, I think it really shows how much he wanted to change the way homeless people were viewed. He did an excellent way of showing that in City Lights. The way his character sacrificed so much for the girl to get what she needs, is really just beautiful. When his character was being arrested the other characters on the street had no clue what he was being arrested for, but I’m sure they weren’t thinking it was helping a young woman with her life. Granted stealing (even though it wasn’t really stealing I guess?) money to help her maybe wasn’t the best way for it to handled, he did it with good intentions. And then when he was caught he took his punishment with dignity. That’s a damn good man if you ask me, and his character really was. I think this changed a lot of thoughts people had of struggling people in the world, Mr. Chaplin didn’t fix the view of it, but he sure did his best.
Although “talkies” in the 1930’s were the most popular way of making films Charlie Chaplin stayed true to silent films. I think a big factor in this was when sound first came out it wasn’t exactly great, so by adding sound it took away from the story of the film. Plus Mr. Chaplin was a big believer in actions speak louder than words. Why have a great actor but only have them there to tell you what’s going on? I think another reason was his iconic Tramp character. He’s almost like Mr. Bean, everyone who knows the character of Mr. Bean knows he rarely if at all speaks, if he were to just start talking constantly his fan base wouldn’t know how to handle it. I think the same thing would happen to the Tramp, Charlie Chaplin does such a good job telling a story with just his actions that he really didn’t need the sound. Not only did he not need the sound, he just flat out didn’t like sound in his films. I think he showed that pretty well when at the opening of the film whenever the man or woman talks their voices are replaced with a kazoo. But I think by him doing that it adds to his classic Chaplin style.
I think people continued to go see Charlie Chaplin films even when silent films weren’t popular because Charlie Chaplin just knew how to make great films. They were well written, well acted, and they were funny. People even still today enjoy Charlie Chaplin's films, if we still watch them now why wouldn’t people watch them back then?
Three paragraphs: check (and they be long paragraphs too). Two required questions answered: check. Two other questions answered: check (if I interpret your first paragraph as an answer to the question about Chaplin's style and the question about your favorite scene).
DeleteI love the passion you communicate in this comment (particularly the first paragraph). You inspired me to want to be more true to my convictions and do what I can to help the defenseless!
Right away you see him playing as someone who is homeless, very Charlie! You also see the cops as the bad guys. What I found very touching about this film tho, which was also very Chaplin was his kindheartedness, Although he does have his fun and takes what he can get out of the brokenhearted drunkard, he also falls in love with a blind girl who is in a financial pinch. He goes off and works to pay for her rent, sees her in the afternoon to check up on her and in the end she can see him for who he really is. I feel as though this was meant to be as an underlining meaning, that just because someone is homeless doesn't mean they aren't a person too. They are still people, they still care, and when you get to know them, (when you don't look at them for what they wear or have.) and see them for the priceless kind people that they are, only then do you see someone for who they really are.
ReplyDeleteHonestly? I absolutely cannot push myself to decide on who I enjoy more as a movie maker. But I do feel as though I can connect with Chaplin the most and because of this i feel more emotionally connected to his movies. I feel as though I can really relate to his character having been homeless a time or two, and being able to see the world threw a very much humbled state... It really is nice to see that someone was able to take the hobo and make him a hero (in a sense.) I really do appreciate his work on a personal level.
I think that people kept going to see Charlie's movies, even though they weren't talkies, because of how well the character settles into your heart. I personally watch his movies just because I love how every film has an underlying good feel to it. There's just a wonderful message to be extracted from them, or just a good ol' happy ending, Zero to Hero, and I think a lot of people then, and even today really like that.
The thing I found most brilliant about this was it's ending. Although it pissed me off because I wanted more, the way it left you to wonder what happened next just made you have a sweet sorrow that infused my heart with conflicting feelings of happiness and sadness. I just felt as though it was beyond his time, and that it really packed a good punch ending!
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DeleteThree full paragraphs: check.
DeleteTwo required questions answered: one of them but not the other. Once you do the research, you can answer the other and get full points!
Two other questions answered: check (why people kept going and what you liked).
This is a great, detailed response. Very good work, Aubree!
Charlie Chaplin's movie style as the Tramp was bad things happen to him and he never gets negative about it. From the three actors i will have to choose Charlie Chaplin, because of the comedy in his movie... i always like a good laugh.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of this movie was every time the rich guy got sober. I would show this movie to my friends and family cause i think they would enjoy it.
You answer all the questions! Good work!
DeleteNow, also tell me more about your thoughts about question. Tell me enough to fill three FULL paragraphs. What you have here is a great paragraph-worth of info. Now, do that two more times. Tell us more about why you liked it when the rich guy go sober and why your friends and family would enjoy it. Point out specific moments when in this film when Chaplin gets doesn't get down in spite of bad things. Tell me what about Chaplin's comedy makes you like it more than that of Lloyd and Keaton.
The moments of the film that were most indicative of Charlie Chaplin's filmmaker style were when he was being chased by the police and kept making fools of them.
ReplyDeleteAt this moment Charlie Chaplin is still my favorite of the three film makers we've seen so far. The others have been too goody good for my taste. He shows the world as he sees it and it's actually still very close to reality, or at least how I see reality. In his films life is hard, you can be a hero no matter what your station and the police are not always the good guys.
Charlie Chaplin mocked the "Talkies" in this film by making all the people make sounds reminiscent of the adults in Peanuts to show his dislike for talking in movies.
I think people kept going to see Chaplin's movies even though they were silent and all the other films at the time were talkies because they were still some of the best cinematic creations in history and they told stories better in most cases than the talkies of the time. They also had more freedom of movement with the camera, better story lines and a familiar face that everyone loved.
Graded.
DeleteI think that this entire movie was a very obvious Chaplin film, and not just because his unique mustache was shown. It was a obvious Chaplin film because of how the main character was shown, one of a homeless man who still acted like a gentlemen, while having to deal with the harshness of the world. With these traits in mind, its no wonder that Chaplin is my favourite of the old big three, because using things like comedy to prove a point is just something I am fascinated by.
ReplyDeleteIt was no mystery, Chaplin hated Talkies, and he would often show that in parts of his films. In this film, however, it was especially obvious that he hated the very idea of talkies, going so far as to openly mock them. How did he do this, you ask? well he did this through a particularly hilarious scene in which an important official is talking, but instead of words, a sound not unlike that of an adult in Charlie Brown, otherwise known as a trumpet sound.
If Talkies were around, and were called awesome by reviewers, then why would people still go to see Chaplin? Well, that’s a good question, and one with many answers. It could’ve been because of the fact that Chaplin’s films were so funny, they didn’t need sound. It also could’ve been the fact that because it was a Chaplin film, people would go to see it anyways. But I think the real reason people went to see Chaplin’s films through the Talkies is because the Talkies were still super new and, honestly, restrictive. I mean think about it, we have 3D nowadays, but does that mean we don’t watch only 3D movies. If you do only watch 3D movies, then you are a disgrace to the movie industry.