City Lights 1930 1931 1932 next previous
City Lights Clippings 219/387
Variety, New York, February 11, 1931.
Mr. R. H. Gillespie, managing director Moss
Empires, arthurlloyd.co.uk
& London Paddington Cinema „Chaplin comes home,“
London, 1931, ebay
& Tottenham Court Road with Dominion on the far right side,
marquee „Cimarron,“ London, 1931, postcard
& „Zombie“ in London (...) One of the campaign made on „White Zombie“ by Robb Lawson, of the Dominion Theatre,
London, England. Five „Zombies“ enacted a scene in front
of the 40-feet high display depicting „The House of the
Living Dead.“ Box office records for the past six months were
broken during run of picture.
(...) Photo, Motion Picture Herald, Dec. 31, 1932
& Dominion Theatre, exterior by night, electric sign Charlie
Chaplin in „City Lights,“ London, 1931, Getty Images
& Now! Dominion Tottenham Court Road
Charlie Chaplin in „City Lights“ A United Artists Picture
Three Performances Daily 2-30, 6-30, 8-30, Banner,
London, 1931, Fox Photos, Getty Images
& STORY OF THE WORLD‘S GREATEST COMEDY
In any large city, throughout the world, the
three characters vital to this story dwell. A tramp, a blind girl
and an eccentric millionaire.
The tramp is an idealist; yet an object of laughter and
ridicule. Aimlessly he wanders the streets of the city
until he comes in contact with the blind girl. She is a flower
vender at one of the public squares. Because of her
affliction the girl‘s feeling toward the little vagabond is purely
spiritual and her kindliness toward him seems to supply
something that was void in this life.
It is while enraptured with the girl that the tramp seeks
solitude at the river‘s edge, away from the turmoil
of the city, where he may „dream.“ But his trend of thoughts
is interrupted as a man is about to commit suicide.
This is the millionaire, who, being in one of his peculiar moods,
plans self-destruction. His life is saved by the tramp
and the two become friends.
As the weeks progress a strong devotion develops
between the blind girl and the tramp. Likewise the
friendship between the millionaire and his new-found friend
progresses and also digresses, according to the mood
of the man of wealth.
Illness overtakes the girl and the tramp learns of her
condition when she does not appear at her daily stand.
Her aged grandmother attempts to shoulder the burden of their
livelihood but with little success. The tramp seeks the
millionaire for assistance only to discover that he has sailed
for Europe. Money is imperative so the tramp gets
a job. He manages to hold the girl‘s little home together, though
a considerable personal sacrifice. Then he loses
his position.
Faced with added problems, the tramp is desperate.
He undertakes to earn money as a prizefighter but
he is soundly beaten. A broken man, he wanders the streets.
Then there is a new ray of light. The millionaire has
returned to the city and is once again in an eccentric mood.
He greets the tramp with deep affection and takes
him to his home.
The tramp tells the millionaire of the girl and quickly money
is forthcoming to meet accumulated bills and even
sufficient to assure the girl of an operation so that she may
regain her sight. But thugs enter the millionaire‘s home
and there is an attack and a robbery.
During the struggle and excitement the tramp escapes from
the house, carrying with him the money the millionaire
gave hm. But the millionaire is sobered by the blows of the
crooks and he fails to recognize the tramp.
When the tramp is released from prison he is a figure
of utter dejection. Once more he is ridiculed and laughed at and
tormented as he trudges the streets.
Fate brings him face to face with the beautiful flower girl. But
now she is prosperous, for in place of the humble flower
stand she is surrounded by an elaborate floral establishment.
She watches the pathetic figure of the little tramp
in amazement and does not understand why he fixes a steady
gaze on her.
She is plainly embarrassed but jovially offers the man
a flower and a coin. Still fixing his stare on her eyes, he accepts
the flower. And as the grips his hand to place the coin
therein a strangeness overtakes her. Gradually there comes
a realization that this is the man who was her benefactor.
At least she sees!
(...) City Lights Pressbook Text, 1931, United Artists collection
at the Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research
& CHARLIE CHAPLIN‘S „CITY LIGHTS“
Charlie Chaplin‘s new film, „City Lights,“ will be presented
at the Dominion Theater, Tottenham Court Road, London, upon
the conclusion of the present pantomime season.
Mr. Chaplin will sail from New York on February 20,
and it is anticipated that he will make a personal appearance
at the first presentation at the theatre.
(...) Guardian, Manchester, England, Feb. 6, 1931
& London Guarantees Chaplin 20 Weeks,
$200,000 Minimum
Charlie Chaplin‘s „City Lights“ has been booked by Moss
Empires, Ltd., for a guaranteed London run of 20 weeks
and about $200,000 against 60 per cent of the gross receipts, according to United Artists. Chaplin closed the deal
personally by trans-atlantic telephone.
This is the first time such terms have ever been made for
a picture. „City Lights“ will open its London engagement
at the Dominion on March 2, with Chaplin as guest of honor
at the premiere.
(...) Film Daily, Feb. 11, 1931
& Dominion – „Aladdin,“ nearly exhausted possibilities and
around $15,000, with new Chaplin picture, „City Lights“
and Chaplin himself in London for publicity value, set for first
week in March.
(...) Last Week Grosses, Variety, Feb. 18, 1931
„Chaplin taking the long end“
Editorial content. „Chaplin 60-40 Deal At Dominion, London
London, Feb. 10.
Chaplin‘s City Lights opens at the Dominion at the conclusion
of the pantomime season, about March 3. Understanding
is that Chaplin is sailing from New York about Feb. 20, to be here
for a personal appearance at the premiere.
Booking of City Lights into the Dominion is considered
by show people here a smart move by R. H. Gillespie.
While British Gaumont was dickering with Chaplin on a 55%
split, figuring Chaplin would come through after waiting
a while, Gillespie got Chaplin on the phone and got a personal
promise from him of 60-40, Chaplin taking the long end.“
The London Premiere of City Lights takes place
at the Dominion February 27, 1931.
Dominion Theatre, Tottenham Court Road, London.
Redaktioneller Inhalt
City Lights 1930 1931 1932 next previous
