City Lights (1931) [The Criterion Collection]

Director: Charles Chaplin
Writer: Charles Chaplin, Harry Carr, Harry Crocker
Stars: Charles Chaplin, Virginia Cherrill, Florence Lee

City Lights, the most cherished film by Charlie Chaplin, is also his ultimate Little Tramp chronicle. The writer-director-star achieved new levels of grace, in both physical comedy and dramatic poignancy, with this silent tale of a lovable vagrant falling for a young blind woman who sells flowers on the street (a magical Virginia Cherrill) and mistakes him for a millionaire. Though this Depression-era smash was made after the advent of sound, Chaplin remained steadfast in his love for the expressive beauty of the pre-talkie form. The result was the epitome of his art and the crowning achievement of silent comedy.

Extras:
- 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 (26:48)
- Chaplin Studios: Creative Freedom by Design, a new interview program featuring visual effects expert Craig Barron (16:14)
- 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 (8:35 + 7:25 + 1;24 + 1;14)
- Excerpt from Chaplin’s short film The Champion (1915 - 9:22), along with footage of the director with boxing stars at Chaplin Studios in 1918 (4:40)
- Trailers (8:47)