MARY PICKFORD IN RAGS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20426, 5 June 1928, Page 17

MARY PICKFORD IN RAGS.

" Several years ago I once found myself mixed up in a mob who had assembeld to ' welcome' Mary Pickford on her arrival in London," writes a London correspondent. "' I had to get a ' write up ' of her arrival (I got some ' copy' that day!). She was to attend a garden fete at Botanical Gardens, and before she was able to get out of her car the crowd surged around her. Seizing her hand, her gloves were torn off ' as a sonvenir.' Others, seeing this, plucked at her frock, and tore it into shreds, stuffing the captured pieces into their bags and pockets. Alas, I am ashamed to admit that they were women who were guilty of such barbaric conduct. Thoroughly frightened, she was able at last to sink back into her ear, helped there by the police. It was a most shameful exhibition, particularly as no woman could afterwards display such souvenirs with pride. And so, at a later moment I found a strip of her frock thrown away under a seat by someone, who, having shared the spoils, was unwilling to be associated with it! Very soon afterwards Charlie Chaplin was to come to London, but at the last moment the visit was ' cancelled. 1 But nevertheless, he came. He walked along the Strand and about the West End unmolested. If he had worn his moustache, etc., he would probably have been torn to bits!