VERDICT FOR CHAPLIN

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 5 September 1932, Page 5

VERDICT FOR CHAPLIN

SUIT AGAINST LITA GREY. CONTRACT FOR SONS CHECKED. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright. i LOS ANGELES, Sept. 2. Charlie Chaplin won his suit against his divorced wife. The Superior Court judge allowed the insertion of a clause in the divorce prohibiting- either parent from allowing the children to work on the films. However, the Court granted Mrs. Chaplin’s attorney ten days to file an appeal.

Charlie Chaplin appeared in the Superior Court on August 27 and asked that his divorced wife, Lita. Grey Chaplin, be restrained from presenting his sons, Charles and Sydney, aged seven and six, in moving pictures. It developed that she had contracted to have the boys appear in a series of hlms, receiving £7OOO (of which the boys received £4000) for each. “It is the spiritual aspect of the thing,” said Chaplin. “I believe children should be permitted to grow up normally. I see no reason why they should be compelled to choose their profession at this young age. I think they will suffer from undue publicity. I will consent if they want to whet: they are older.” It was revealed that £40,000 was settled on the boys at the time of the divorce, and under the agreement with the former Mrs. Chaplin they cannot be “hired out or employed” without the written consent of both parents.