City Lights
A heart-wrenching, silent ballet of light and shadow, where love blooms blindly in a world of stark contrasts and fleeting kindness, illuminating the soul's true sight.
City Lights
City Lights

"True Blind Love"

06 February 1931 United States of America 87 min ⭐ 8.3 (2,328)
Director: Charlie Chaplin
Cast: Charlie Chaplin, Virginia Cherrill, Florence Lee, Harry Myers, Al Ernest Garcia
Drama Comedy Romance
Love and Sacrifice Class Disparity and Social Injustice Perception vs. Reality (Blindness and Sight) Resilience and Hope
Budget: $1,500,000
Box Office: $4,250,000

City Lights - Movie Quotes

Memorable Quotes

Yes, I can see now.

— A Blind Girl

Context:

The girl, her sight restored, has opened a flower shop. She takes pity on a shabby tramp outside, offering him a flower and a coin. When their hands touch, she recognizes him as her benefactor. He asks, via intertitle, "You can see now?" and she responds with this line, her eyes filled with a mix of pity, gratitude, and dawning love.

Meaning:

This is the film's climactic line, delivered in the final, emotionally charged scene. Its significance is twofold: she can literally see for the first time, but more profoundly, she now 'sees' the truth of The Tramp's identity and the depth of his love and sacrifice. It represents the film's core theme of true sight being an emotional, not physical, perception.

Tomorrow the birds will sing.

— The Tramp

Context:

The Tramp says this to the Eccentric Millionaire after stopping him from attempting suicide. It is his gentle, philosophical way of convincing the despondent man that life is still worth living.

Meaning:

This quote encapsulates The Tramp's unwavering optimism and his role as a source of hope, even in the face of despair. He offers this simple, poetic encouragement to the millionaire, reminding him that no matter how dark things seem, there is always the promise of a new day and simple beauty in the world.

Am I driving?

— An Eccentric Millionaire

Context:

The Tramp is in the passenger seat, terrified, as the millionaire erratically speeds through the city streets. After The Tramp nervously tells him, "Be careful how you're driving," the millionaire responds with this blissfully unaware question.

Meaning:

This line provides a moment of pure slapstick comedy and highlights the millionaire's complete obliviousness due to his drunkenness. It underscores the chaotic and dangerous nature of his friendship with The Tramp, while also being hilariously absurd.