CHARLIE CHAPLIN

Evening Star, Issue 17764, 12 September 1921, Page 4

CHARLIE CHAPLIN

LIONISED IN LONDON. IN A NEW ROLE. Pres* Ausocistioo —By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, September 10. Charlie Chaplin has arrived in London, and was accorded tumultuous receptions wherever ho appeared. Ho was accorded a municipal welcome nt Southampton, the mayor saying that tho town had welcomed kings, queens, and princes, and now it was its privilege to greet the “King of (Mirth.” After representatives of the kinema industry had made speeches Charlie gave autographs to crowds of admirers and entrained for London. Hero the excitement exceeded all expectations. Waterloo Station was packed with patrons of pictures of all ages and of both sexes, and it required strenuous efforts by the mounted and foot police to maintain oven a semblance of order. Though tho platform was purposely kept clear, Charlie's fellow-travellers rushed his saloon and hustled him along the platform through an army of kinema men and journalists. Charlie is a dapper little man with a pale face and a happy smite* He wore a grey coat and a bowler hat. When he realised the immensity of tho crowd beyond the barriers he greeted it with his famous smile and a twirl of his “howler,” whereat all the world laughed. As ho emerged from the barriers there was a frantic rush to shake hands. Borne of tho women managed to kiss their idol. At first Charlie was immensely pleased, but was obviously relieved when safe in a motor car, though he was practically' flung into bis seat. As the car moved off scores Ivied to mount it, bat the police prevented them, so Charlie mado his triumphal progress along York road to Westminster Bridge. There was another great crowd outside the Rite Hotel, and as the. car drove up there was frantic cheering. The great man stood through the din to say: “ Words fail me to express my thanks for the great welcome the people of London have given me.” A body of police, in trying to keep back the boisterous admirers, were overpowered. There was a desperate straggle on the steps of the hotel before the police succeeded in getting Charlie safely inside the hotel. Tho J crowd continued cheering him until he appeared at a first-floor window and broke up a big hunch of carnations, which ho threw to the crowd. There was a wild struggle for the trophies, and then Charlie blew a kiss to the crowd and disappeared. Though he described his welcome as glorious and wonderful, the “King <of Mirth ” seems disappointed. There is little prospect of him sectoring rest during his holiday if the reception to-day is an indication of the ordeaia to he endured throughout his trip.—A, and N.Z. Cable.