In high society (or any fancy mansion), you can expect elegance and nifty chandeliers that give light to the party, unless they are covered in cobwebs. Either way, chandeliers look cool, especially the big ones - but the bigger they are, the harder (and more thrilling) they fall.
The Falling Chandelier - Exactly as the name implies - this is a chandelier (or any dangling, overhead object) that, for whatever reason, falls. This can be used to bring a sudden (and possibly fatal) end to a party or show, or as a means for a hero to swash-buckle their way to confront the fleeing villain.The photo above is none other than the famous chandelier from The Phantom of the Opera, one of the best (and still performed) examples of this trope.
There's one occurrence (and an almost one) between the Harry Potter films and books. Do yourself a favor: never, and I mean never, make a House Elf mad.
In Stardust, Tristan uses a chandelier to smash a human puppet and holds the rope, sending him crashing into the witch who's trying to eat his girlfriend's heart out.
Basically, if you enter a large room with a chandelier, don't be surprised if it comes down eventually. It's a fun action piece. It could be funny, too. Who doesn't like watching giant glass masses shatter all over the place (in a perfectly controlled environment, of course)?
Ever used The Falling Chandelier or other similar falling objects? Did it save the day or land someone in the hospital? What examples can you come up with?
I'm David, and Colonel Mustard needs a Clue ...
Skip to 1:15 for the example
Ha ha ha! I love Clue, one of the funniest movies ever!
ReplyDeleteI can't think of a moment recently where I used the falling chandelier, but it's a classic!
Let's not forget the chandelier in the movie Titanic. :) I've never used it, but it's a great thought!
ReplyDeleteI have never used this trope but it does make a good scene.
ReplyDeleteFun topic, DPK ;)
ReplyDeleteI've always looooved Phantom--saw it in Her Majesty's Theatre in London & originally fell in love with Gaston Leroux's book :) I'll be walking with one eye open for chandeliers now ;)
When I saw the Phantom of the Opera in the Venetian (in Las Vegas) the falling chandelier took my breath away. They have a specially designed theater that allows it to drop over the audience and stops at the last moment. The wind from it brushes the top of your head. What a great thing to really pull you into it (not that the performance doesn't just overwhelm you anyway).
ReplyDeleteThis really reminds me of "Chekhov's gun".. foreboding in a story. If there's a gun in the first scene, somebody has to fire it by the third scene. Otherwise, it shouldn't be there in the first place.
ReplyDeleteSo far, no chandeliers in space.
ReplyDeleteBummer the first picture isn't showing for me.
Neat, it's like the horror equivalent of the false starts and scary moments that jerk you out of your seat. Also, I love that you referenced Clue with your video...great one!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely don't make a house elf mad. Isn't it funny that the Hogwarts protections against apparating inside the castle don't apply to house elfs?
ReplyDeleteYou know ALL the tropes! This is a fun one. I never thought about the Dobby cake as one, but YES, it is! :) Fun stuff David. And now I want to go play a game of Clue! Love that board game!
ReplyDeleteI can't say that I've used this trope before. Hadn't had any chandeliers or large hanging objects in a piece to work it in yet, but I've seen it in action quite a bit.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any chandeliers, but maybe I should have a timely branch fall or something similar :) I love the movie Clue :)
ReplyDeleteAnother Trope I love. I can't help but think about The Emperors New Groove when he tries to drop the Chandelier on the bad lady and it totally misses, lol!
ReplyDeleteOh man. I went to Phantom of the Opera back in 2005. When that chandelier fell, I felt the heat all the way in the balcony. It was awesome!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourite tropes :)
ReplyDeleteHaven't used a chandelier, but a magical dog and a great white shark. The latter story takes place near the sea...
We used to have a large crystal chandelier in our house growing up, and you could *almost* reach it from the second-floor balcony. I always wanted to swing on that thing...
ReplyDeleteI never really paid attention to this as a troupe but you're right. It is. I've not used it yet. Thanks for the idea.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know Stardust was a film... MUST SEE! However, I don't recall a falling chandelier in the book. They must have added that for the film?
ReplyDeleteWOO PHANTOM OF THE OPERA ZOMG ERIK!
Ok, I had to get that out of my system. I love Erik as a character. I think he's a totally creepy person, but he's a character to die for. I wish I could write an Erik.
Woo chandelier!
Um, I totally need to remember to throw a falling chandelier into my new WIP! If it ever gets published, I suppose I'll have to throw you into the acknowledgements, eh? ;)
ReplyDeleteI recall there was a huge one in Terry Pratchett’s Maskerade that all the characters kept mentioning how something so grand should’ve been the first thing to fall. ^_^
ReplyDeleteNo falling chandeliers in my WiPs though.
Clue is one of my favorite movies of ALL time! I love it when Colonel Mustard says "I can't take any more scares" and clutches his heart, and then the chandelier collapses.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right on this one! The Disney version of the Three Musketeers also uses it. One of my very first (and as yet unfinished) attempts has a falling chandelier in the first battle. Hehe...maybe that's why I never finished it. :)
ReplyDeletenever used it, but I have often been in the local opera house and carefully avoided walking under the chandelier. after all, why tempt fate...
ReplyDeleteI always thought chandeliers were put there for the sole purpose of being dropped onto unsuspecting victims. I can't believe how many suckers just stand under them. I mean, they know that they're going to fall, right?
ReplyDeleteClue is a great example. Hmm, I'm drawing a blank on other examples. You've listed several good ones. Highly entertaining post, as always. :)
ReplyDeleteI have to say, when I see this trope in movies, it never fails to elicit an eye-roll from me. Can't help it! I'd love to see something really new and original done with it though.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm sad that Phantom of the Opera is not the #1 broadway show anymore. It's place has now been usurped by the Lion King. SOOOO WRONG!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete