AUTHORS AND THEIR VIEWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18457, 21 July 1923, Page 4 (Supplement)

AUTHORS AND THEIR VIEWS

A SKETCH OF CHARLES CHAPLIN.

Thomas Burke in "Tho London Spy," gives a sketch of "this rare exclusive character." A frail figure, slim-footed, with hands as exquisite as the hands of Madame la Marquise. A mass of kindled grey hair above a face of high colour, and nervous features. la conversation, the pale hands flash and flutter and the eyes twinkle; tho body sways and swings a'n.d the head darts bird-like back and forth, in time with the soft chanting voice. His personality is as volatile as the lithe and resilient —something of Hans Andersen, of Ariel, with rumours of fairyland tears. But something mora than pathos is hero. Almost he is a tragic figure. He is the play fellow of tho world, and he is the saddest, loneliest man I ever knew. The shy quiet figure is a character that makes instant appeal. Ho inspires immediately, not admiration of respect, but affection. At two o'clock in the morning wo rested on the kerb of an alleyway in St. George's and he talked of his bitter youth and his loneliness and his straggles.

England was to him a stony-hearted, stepmother even tho land of his birth. America gave him. recognition and decent society. I think his success staggers or frightens him. When he is not acting, he casts off "Charlie" drops the mask of the world's fool.