In addition to writing, directing and starring in City Lights, Charlie Chaplin also composed the beautiful musical score.

There was one scene shot that was ultimately cut from City Lights that involved The Tramp and a piece of wood. As Eric L. Flom describes the scene in his book Chaplin in the Sound Era: An Analysis of the Seven Talkies: "Charlie is seen alone on a bustling city street, and notices a small block of wood stuck in the grating at his feet. Rather casually, he attempts to knock the wood through the grate with his cane, only to find it hopelessly stuck, rotating with each successive stab. His interest is piqued, and soon what began as an offhand curiosity becomes a full-blown fixation; the piece of wood envelops Charlie's total concentration. In the process, Charlie's obsession soon becomes everyone else's entertainment, attracting the attention of a window store clerk, stopping foot and automobile traffic, and, naturally, drawing the attention of police as well."

Albert Einstein and his wife Elsa were Chaplin's personal guests at the Los Angeles premiere of City Lights on January 30, 1931.

The crucial scene where The Tramp meets the Blind Girl for the first time was so important to Chaplin that he spent five days doing take after take to get it right. The scene is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for having "The Most Retakes of One Scene." According to Guinness, it took a total of 342 takes to get the scene the way that Chaplin wanted it.

Chaplin spent $60,000 of his own money to publicize the premiere of City Lights in New York. $30,000 went to newspaper ads, and the other $30,000 went to renting an electric sign for the front of the theater.

Actress Virginia Cherrill was Cary Grant's first wife. He was her second husband. They were married in 1934 and divorced just a year later.

Orson Welles is said to have stated that City Lights was one of his favorite movies.

During the filming of City Lights, Winston Churchill visited the set and footage exists of him and Chaplin together.

Famous Quotes from CITY LIGHTS

Note: "Quotes" are taken from dialogue in the silent film's title cards.

"Be careful how you're driving."

"Am I driving?"

-- The Tramp (Charles Chaplin) and The Eccentric Millionaire (Harry Myers)

"You can see now?"

"Yes, I can see now."

--The Tramp and the Blind Girl (Virginia Cherrill)

Compiled by Andrea Passafiume