PUBLICITY SECRETS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 12, 15 January 1932, Page 11

PUBLICITY SECRETS

MR. CHARLES CHAPLIN AGENT’S CLAIM SETTLED JUDGE AND THE FILM STAR LONDON, Dee. 3. Mr. Charles Chaplin, the film star, seems to have made a very unfortunate mistake in allowing a financial claim against him to come into the West minster County Court. Secrets of the methods of focussing public attention on film stars were disclosed, and the names of people of importance were mentioned. Mr. Chaplin was sued by Miss May Shepherd, who claimed £lOO for publicity and secretarial services during his visit to London. Mr. Asho Lincoln, counsel for Miss Shepherd, said that when Mr. Chaplin came to London recently Miss Shepherd was engaged as his secretary and publicity agent. The United Artists’ Corporation was finding some part of the expenses of Mr. Chaplin’s visit and was vitally interested in reducing the amount payable to his secretary. When Mr. Chaplin left the country on March 8 to visit Germany, Miss Shepherd stayed at the Carlton Hotel) to deal with correspondence and to continue publicity work. Miss Shepherd, in evidence, said there were thousands of letters a day for the first few days after Mr. Chaplin’s arrival, and the average was 800 a day. She had to dictate 40 letters a day and interview callers, about 50 a day. When Mr. Chaplin wanted to visit a prison she arranged all the details. She also arranged his visits to the Oil Bailey and to the Lord Mayor. Mr. Lincoln (to Miss Shepherd): The whole trip was a publicity trip in connection with his picture “City Lights,” was it not? —It was. Miss Shepherd said she arranged the visit to the ex-Lord. Mayor through a sheriff. It was arranged that the Lord Mayor should entertain Mr. Chaplin to lunch. He was going to have one of tho semi-State coaches to convey him from the hotel, but the State coach was not used. Apology to Prime Minister. Miss Shepherd spoke of an invitation from the Prime Minister to Mr. Chaplin, asking him to attend a dinner. The party was to have been on March 9, but Mr. Chaplin left London for Berlin before that date, and asked her to “make his peace with the Prime Minister.” She wrote a letter, which was read. Judbe Tobin: Was the wording yours or Mr. Chaplin’s?—Mine. Mr. Chaplin realised full well the position in which he found himself, having accepted the invitation of the Prime Minister. Judge Tobin: That was a very tactful letter written on behalf of a film star to the Prime Minister of England. It is not a letter that a clerk would write. Miss Shepherd said that at the moment the letter was written Mr. Chaplin was on hig way to Berlin. He had completely forgotten the fact that he had to send an apology for not attending. As to Mr. Chaplin’s visit to Nice on April 10, when “City Lights” was produced there, Miss Shepherd said she understood that Mr. Chaplin kept the Duke of Connaught waiting for a considerable time. Miss Shepherd said she got into touch ’with a London newspaper, which published a statement by Mr. Chaplin, “Myself and the Duke,” disposing of a story in another newspaper that Mr. Chaplin was in a box with the Prine 1 of Monaco when he saw the Duke i? the audience and expressed a wish U; meet him. Supper After “City Lights.” Mr. C. J. Conway, K.C., counsel L>. Mr. Chaplin, read a newspaper accoum of a supper and dance at the Carlton Hotel after the first show of “Cit; Lights.” It stated that the guest numbered about 5000, aud included peers, peeresses, statesmen and politicians, stage stars and old friends of Mr. Chaplin. “Did Mr. Chaplin like all this?” asked Mr. Conway. Miss Shepherd: He welcomed it. Judge Tobin: This is going to do ua lot of good in foreign countries! Fancy how foreigners will laugh at it. When the Judge took his seat at the second day’s hearing. Mr. Conway, counsel for Mr. Chaplin, stated that the parties were prepared to effect a settlement. The position, said. Mr. Conway, was that Mr. Chaplin heard that Miss Shepherd had been paid in full, and he did not know what she had done other than correspondence work. Mr. Chaplin was astonished to see the names of very eminent persons whose friendship and acquaintance he had the privilege of possessing bandied about that Court. The Judge: What do you mean by bandied? Mr. Conway: Being used in this Court. The Judge: And quite properly used. I object to the word “bandied.” I base heard the lady, and formed a

being incomplete. f : ] very high opinion of her prima facie. I have not heard the other side. Settlement of Case. Mr. Conway: The names of eminent persons were mentioned in this Court quite properly by Miss Shepherd in 1 order to substantiate her claim. The ' last thing Mr. Chaplin wants is that names of people of that sort who are friends and acquaintances of his should be mentioned. It is extremely painful to him that any suggestion should be made as to a want of courtesy on his part in treating eminent people. After further discussion the case was settled by consent, judgment being entered for plaintiff for the amount claimed and costs.