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Los Angeles Evening Express, L. A., Calif., August 30, 1928.

MOVIES AND MOVIE PEOPLE

      By Mollie Merrick.

      HOLLYWOOD, Calif., September 10. – Few associations

in the story of the theater – or rather the story of life, for

Charlie Chaplin‘s history goes beyond the confines of the world

of make-believe – are as poignant as that which existed

between the master ironist and his mother.

      She was inextricably linked with his glamorous and

tragic life along all its winding ways. From the gutters

of Lambeth to the luxury of Beverly Hills the figure of Lily

Hawtrey (Harley) Chaplin loomed against the back

drop of his paradoxical existence.

      The extraordinary devotion which bound them was

touchingly evident at the mother‘s funeral.

      A silver-haired man with brooding eyes sat, as if carved

in stone, in the middle chair on an empty row while

a minister read the burial service. Charles Spencer Chaplin,

the earth‘s king of clowns, was taking his farewell

of the woman who had given him life.

      Behind him, ranged in a semi-circle, were a group of men.

Studio employees of many years standing, and loyal

friends. They made no attempt to hold back the frank tears that

welled into their eyes and rolled down their cheeks.

      Far in the background stood a slender dark woman, Lita

Grey Chaplin. Why she came there nobody knows.

That she was there, at that final parting between mother and

son, is an interesting angle – and a not understandable

one – in the life story of a man who has been called „the enigma.“

(...) North American Newspaper Alliance, Evening Star,

Washington, D. C., Sept. 10, 1928

& Self-Conscious Grief

      Charlie Chaplin was speaking about his mother‘s

death. „She opened her eyes and looked at me,“

he said, „she put out her hand and I took it. I felt a tenderness

I had never felt before –– and then that other side

of me, the actor side, began to notice the nurses standing

about the bed looking at us. And I thought –– at that

solemn moment –– how I looked, standing there, holding

her hand. I wondered what they were thinking

about me. It was dreadful.“

(...) Motion Picture, Dec. 1928

& Friends Attend Chaplin Rites

      Mrs. Hannah Chaplin, mother of Charles and Sydney

Chaplin, was buried in Hollywood Cemetery yesterday

following funeral services from the William Strother undertaking

parlors.

      The services were simple, as planned, and attended

only by a few close personal friends of Mrs. Chaplin.

Rev. J. Arthur Evans of the All Souls‘ Episcopal Church

officiated.

(...) Los Angeles Times, Aug. 31, 1928

„Was laid at rest in Hollywood cemetery“

Editorial content. „MRS. Chaplin‘s FUNERAL HELD    

      Difficulty Is Encountered In Locating

      Sydney Chaplin, Now Abroad

      With simple ceremony and with only a few of her most

intimate friends in attendance, Mrs. Hannah Chaplin,

mother of Charles and Sydney Chaplin, film comedians, was

laid at rest in Hollywood cemetery today. The Rev. J.

Arthur Evans of All Souls Episcopal Church officiated.“ (...)

Redaktioneller Inhalt

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