HERO-WORSHIP IN ENGLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3522, 13 September 1921, Page 17

HERO-WORSHIP IN ENGLAND.

WOMEN KISS THEIR HERO. LONDON, September 10. Charlie Chaplin has arrived in London, and was accorded tumultuous receptions wherever he appeared. He was accorded a municipal welcome at Southampton, the Mayor saying that the town had welcomed kings, queens, and princes, and now it was its privilege to greet the “ Fling of Mirth.” After representatives of the kinema industry had made speeches, Charlie gave autographs to crowds of admirers and entrained for London. Here the excitement exceeded all expectations. Waterloo Station waa packed with patrons of pictures of all ages and sexes, and it required strenuous efforts by the mounted and foot police to maintain even a semblance of order. 1 hough the platform was purposely kept clear, Charlie s fellow travellers rushed hia saloon and hustled him along the platform, through an army of kinema men and iournalists. Charlie is a dapper little man with a pale face and a nappy smile, lie 'wore a grey coat and a bowler hat. When he realised the immensity -of the crowd beyond the harriers he greeted it with hia famous smile and a twirl of his "bowler,” whereat all the world laughed. As ha emerged from the harriers there was a, frantic rush to shake hands. Some of the women managed to kiss their idol. Afc first Charlie was immensely pleased, but was obviously relieved when safe in a motor. car. though he was practically flung into his seat. As the car moved off scores tried to mount it, but the police prevented them, so Charlie made hi 3 triumphal progress along York road to V estmmster Bridge. There was another great crowd outside the Ritz Hotel, and as the car drove up there was frantio cheering. The great man stood through the din to say: 1 At ords 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 buck the boisterous admirers were overpowered. There was a desperate struggle on the steps of the hotel before the police.succeeded in getting Charlie safely inside the hotel. The crowd continued cheering him until he appeared at a first floor window and broke up a big bunch of carnations which he 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 11 King of Mirth ” seems disappointed. There ia little prospect of him securing rest during his holiday if the reception to-day ia an indication ’of the orde'als to be " endured throughout his trip.