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Newspapers

Throughout the film, the newspapers that are shown help the viewer keep up with George's success through the years. Between scenes from George's musicals, the newspapers show up so that the viewer can read the headlines. The newspapers also help the viewer to keep up with the time in history; for example, we see the headlines when the Lusitania sinks and know that World War I is beginning.

Hammock

Late in the film, George is at home relaxing in a hammock. A group of teenagers drives up and ask for some water for their car. When George tells them who he is, they have never heard of him. The hammock represents George's retirement from the business and his desire to relax, rather than work.

However, when he falls off the hammock, we not only see that he has grown older, we also learn that he is beginning to miss the stage....
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