City Lights

City Lights Glossary

resilient

determined and showing fortitude in difficult circumstances.

Pre-Code

The term 'pre-code' refers to films that were made whilst there was no substantive legislation concerning what could appear on screen. Consequently, many of these films made between 1929 and 1934 contain scenes that were later classed as immoral, such as promiscuous sexual behavior, drug abuse, and other "less-than-savory" topics.

Leitmotif

A recurring theme in a work of cinema, music or literature.

plight

Struggle.

Slapstick

A form of comedy that emphasizes comical physical action.

Pugilist

Someone who boxes; a boxer.

monument

statue or building meant to commemorate a public figure or an event.

Rolls-Royce

A British luxury automobile.

Burn up the town

Have fun and be reckless.

swell

excellent, good.

flapper

A fashionable young woman in the 1920s who upturns convention and has a good time.

street sweeper

A person whose job it is to clean up the streets in a city.

rent

A tenant's regular payment to a landlord.

possession

taking control of something.

eviction

The act of expelling someone from a home or property.

easy money

Money obtained for very little work.

rabbit foot

A lucky totem.

tramp

A vagrant or beggar.

intertitles

Filmed, printed text edited into the midst of photographed action in a silent film.

bowler hat

hard felt hat originally popular in London.