CHAPLIN'S GREAT SUCCESS, "CITY LIGHTS"

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 23, 19 September 1931, Page 7

CHAPLIN'S GREAT SUCCESS, "CITY LIGHTS"

OPENING TO-NIGHT

MUCH DISCUSSED PICTURE •

Mickey the Mouse is cracking a "wide grin for he has been to see his pal Charlie in "City Lights" and Rotorua Theatregoers "will grin in concert this weck for Carlie is opening at the Majestie to- night. The

litire niovie "world has been startled by his picture that may have a revoluthnary effeet on the future of the treen. It is a non-dialogue film, alhough synchronised with music comfosed mainly hy Chaplin and sound Rects that are an integral part of he comedy "gags" evolved in the evelopment of the story. The film, hat has taken more than two years p more than 1,500,000 dollars to jroduce, is described as Charlie's fun[iest, not harring "Shoulder Arms." uhe Pilgrim" and "The Gold Rush." | United Artists reveals that during he year preeeding the release of the licturc an average of 120 telephone lalls a week were made to the New 101k office alone by film fans interIsted in the film. [Charlie here appears, as ever, in r.e historic trousers, the elephantine gioes and crazily cocked derby. This ime he has a boon companion in his intics, Harry Myers remembered

for "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" in its silent picture form. Virginia Cherrill, Chicago girl, makes her debut in the film as Chaplin's leading lady. She plays the role of a flower girl loved by the tramp The quizzical hobo, dear to millions, again goes in for those spinning runs round corners, precarious balancings on a quvering heel with both hands clutching for dear life onto the windblown dorly. Charlies worries about his. trousers and his poise and his cosmie significance ; and he is more than ever the earthly Chaplin who touches the heart of things. In the early sequences of "City Lights" ' Charlie is a typical knight of the back alleys, without a care in the world except perhaps where his next meal is coming from. But his placid existence is given a purpose when he falls in love with a blind flower girl. The forlorn little vagabond attempt3 to make something of himself first as a whitewing, then a prize-fighter and a man-about-town. | Chaplin begins his story with the unveiling of a monument in which he burlesques the talkies by having jumbled and crackling noises synchronised with the lip movements of the spealcers.

J Conchita Montenegro, Spanish actress, who plays the leading role in M-G-M's "Never the Twain Shall Meet," shows the possibilties of a yel- ] low flannel suit of tailored pattern ■ Combined with a black sweater, a i black hat and slippers, it gives a I striking effect. It is equally effeetive i when worn with a white blouse, hat 1 and slippers. Any other summer shade of green, blue orange, yellow or brown blend3 with this single suit, affording Miss Montenegro a complete costume change at the price of one costume. .wa -----mw