City Lights   1930   1931   1932   next   previous

City Lights Clippings 240/387

Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash., Feb. 28, 1931, front page.

Dominion Theatre, exterior by day, marquee Jean Kent, James

Donald „Trottie True,“ London, 1949

& Dominion Theatre, interior, London, undated, Dominion Theatre

& Charles Chaplin joking with Alister Macdonald, son of the

Prime Minister, at his party in the Carlton Hotel

on the occasion of the premiere of „City Lights,“ London,

1931, Ullstein Bild via Getty Images

„Hundreds of movie fans stood tonight outside the theater“

Editorial content. „Chaplin ,Takes‘ Sedate London

      Stand on Chairs and Brave Rainstorm to See Him.

      Taken For Yegg

      Shopkeeper Fears Holdup as He Steps Inside Dodge Crowd.

      By Associated Press.

      London, Feb. 27. – In a drizzling rain which would have

dampened London‘s enthusiasm for any event of less importance, hundreds of movie fans stood tonight outside the theater,

where Charlie Chaplin‘s new picture opened in the presence

of glittering society.

      The comedian came early and when he appeared

the crowd burst into cheers, surged through a line of ,bobbies‘

and galloped for the entrance. The police checked the

rush with difficulty just at the door, and Chaplin, waving his hat

and stick, went inside.

      Stand on Chairs.

      Just before the picture started he appeared on a balcony

over the entrance and the crowd rushed for him again.

When the show ended they were still there in the downpour

eager for one more glimpse of their idol.

      In the dress circle. occupied mostly by invited guests

in full evening dress, the people stood on their seats

as Chaplin walked down the aisle to the place. The picture

was given a great ovation and after the show Chaplin

was host to a number of friends at a cabaret. The party lasted

until nearly dawn.

      Mistaken for Holdup.

      The constant pursuit of Chaplin by London street crowds

led today to his being mistaken for a holdup man.

      He was walking down Westminster Bridge road with two companions, revisiting the scenes of his impoverished

youth, when some one spotted him and a crowd gathered.

Chaplin and his companions, anxious to escape,

ducked into a candy shop.

      Mrs. Powell, the elderly proprietor, was having ,a bit of tea‘

in the back room when she saw the trio rush in and

close the door. She feared they intended a holdup and

rushed out, insisting that the door was opened.

      ,Lost Big Order.‘

      ,I was almost hysterical,‘ she said, ,but when the little

man asked for some nougat I wrapped up a shilling‘s

worth. He paid me and walked quietly out. As the three left

one of them said, ,You have lost a big order.‘

      ,Then I saw the crowd outside and some one told me

that the little man was Charlie Chaplin. I have sent

him a letter of apology.‘“

      The London Premiere of City Lights takes place

      at the Dominion February 27, 1931.

      Dominion Theatre, Tottenham Court Road, London.

Redaktioneller Inhalt

   City Lights   1930   1931   1932   next   previous