In 1967, Charlie Chaplin told, "I think I like "City Lights" the best of all my films." Based on archival research of Chaplin's production records, this work offers a history of the film's production and reception, as well as an examination of the film itself, with special attention to the sources of the final scene's emotional power.

A distinguished writer in multiple genres - fiction, poetry, screenwriting, social documentary - James Agee first gained widespread recognition as a movie reviewer and critic. Scrupulously edited by Charles Maland, this volume stands as the definitive collection of Agee's film writing.