Charlie Chaplin Takes A Sentimental Journey

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27917, 14 March 1956, Page 13

Charlie Chaplin Takes A Sentimental Journey

(Rec. 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 12. 1 Charlie Chaplin took a sentimental : journey this week-end back to Leeds, Bradford, and Doncaster, where 45 years ago he was an out-of-work comic. No-one recognised the little man with the twinkling eyes meandering nostagically round cobbled streets. He left his London hotel on Saturday without saying a word and travelled to Leeds. No-one spotted him as he wandered through market squares He went to Bradford and was again unrecognised until he went to book at a hotel where a party of journalists was holding a dance. He was invited

to the party and pressed to make a speech. He said: “I have been revisiting my old haunts. One thing impressed me in the market places. Everyone was so well shod, thank God. It was not so once.” Then he went on to Doncaster Again, no-one recognised him in the streets. He booked a hotel room and signed the register “C. Chaplin.” The manager. Mr James Taylor, recognised him: “He got the best room we have.” he said. Back in his London hotel tonight, an unshaven Chaplin’ smiled and said: “I wanted to see the North again: it is full of vitality ... it is the heart of England.”