The Tramp In The Film City Lights

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Recommended: The role of music in movies

The 1931 film City Lights begins with the unveiling of a monument. The background music is typical of what people might hear when someone important is entering the scene or something is being revealed. It consists of trumpets, and slows down as it fades out. As the monument is being uncovered and the audience sees the Tramp half asleep, the music changes to fast playing violins. The trombone is very distinct during this part. The music vaguely resembles circus music, which is fitting for the comic scene that ensues. It also could signify a chase because of the speed of the violins. This matches the scene as well since the police are running frantic trying to figure out what to do about the Tramp. As a very inexperienced musician, I’m not sure …show more content…

The cello and violins are elegant, which could represent the Tramp’s personality. At first, he seems like a bum sleeping on a statue, but soon after, the audience can tell he is a misunderstood guy and means well with the things he does. This can be seen throughout the movie such as when he stopped the millionaire from killing himself, or when the Tramp money got money so he could take care of the flower girl. Especially toward the end of the film, it was easy to feel sorry for him and what he had to go through just to help the flower girl out. The mood of the music is hopeful. The Tramp is optimistic about life with the exception of when he gets released from prison and is walking around the town. Most of the time he has a very good outlook on life and the music reflects his …show more content…

The movie began with the unveiling of a monument. During the ceremony, there were a couple of speakers. The writers decided to use a squeaking noise to help convey the attitudes of the actors. However, this only lasted for the first scene of the film. From then on, the audience could only see the actors mouth words. Occasionally, there would be a screen that allowed the audience to know exactly what the actors were saying by reading the words that appeared. Also, the music played during specific scenes represented what was being said in the film. When the Tramp was being thrown out of the millionaire’s house the butler was yelling at the Tramp. The audience could not hear what he was yelling, but they could interpret that he was angry because of the harsh music

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