D: Charles Chaplin, USA 1931, 86 min, 35 mm, b/w, restored version
Sa, November 13 20:00 Staatstheater Großes Haus



The vagabond Charles falls in love with a blind flower girl. In order to finance an eye operation he is even prepared to work. But his efforts are in vain until he prevents a millionaire from committing suicide. This finally enables him to pay for the operation. However, a number of misunderstandings put Charles behind bars for a while. When he is released he meets the girl again. But will she recognize her benefactor in Charles?

"City Lights" is an ironic, socially critical tragicomedy full of humour, humanity, goodness and optimism. Chaplin shot this film between 1928 and 1931. In spite of the existence of sound films, Chaplin opted for a silent film with musical effects and enjoyed thus his greatest public success.

Back to the archive