The Circus 1927 1928 1929 next previous
The Circus Clippings 95/376
Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, Cal., Dec. 10, 1926.
The Circus Scenes
„Shortly before 1 o‘clock“
Editorial content. „PARTY AT CHAPLINS‘ VERIFIED
Guest Tells of Event Said to Have Resulted
in Final Disruption of Home
The story told by Mrs. Charles Chaplin, the former Lita
Grey, of the happenings at the Chaplin home on the
night of November 20, when the film comedian declared
a party sponsored by his wife and which kept him
awake until early next morning furnished the last straw
in a series of domestic difficulties which led to an
open break, was verified last night by Miss Helen De Laine,
an intimate friend of Mrs. Chaplin, who asserted she
was a member of the party.
In an exclusive interview with The Times, Miss De Laine
came to the defense of Mrs. Chaplin, who, she said,
,had been an intimate friend of hers since Miss Grey, as a young
girl, lived in Glendale, where Miss De Laine resides.
,There were about twenty of us guests of Lita‘s at the
Biltmore Hotel,‘ Miss De Laine said. ,Lita had given
the party in honor of the Baron and Baroness De Precourt
of Paris, who were fellow-passengers on the boat
on which she returned from Honolulu.
,About ten of us left the hotel about 12:30 a. m., at Lita‘s
invitation, and motored to the Chaplin home at Beverly
Hills, arriving there shortly before 1 o‘clock. After we entered
some one started the Victrola, and some of us were
sitting around and others dancing when I noticed Lita suddenly
leaving the drawing room.
,Then a servant came in and called her mother, Mrs.
Spicer, and she also departed. After a short time
they both returned, and Lita stopped the music and said
,the party is all off – I‘m sorry,‘ and everyone left.
,This threw a damper on the party, which was very
circumspect and quiet – not at all like accounts
that often have been published of parties given at the homes
of film stars. There had been no liquor served –
neither at the home nor at the hotel – and when Lita made
the sudden announcement she seemed both
embarrassed and mortified and, naturally, I, a close friend
of long standing, felt sympathetic. I have known her
about eight years, and I know her moods. Never before,
to my knowledge, had she ever been called upon
to dismiss her guests, and I was sure she had done it under
,orders,‘ or, what she had considered carrying out
a loyal obedience to some command.
,Knowing her as I do, I felt sorry for her. I have read
various accounts of the happenings of that night,
and the reading of them makes me the more sympathetic.
I have described the real happenings as they
transpired. As a matter of fact, the party at Lita‘s would
be considered by the younger generation of the
present day, as ,somewhat dull.‘“
Attorneys representing Chaplin and his wife met
in another conference late yesterday afternoon
to discuss the marital difficulties of the famous film pair.
Lloyd Wright represented the screen comedian
and George Beebe spoke for the star‘s wife, sided by Edwin
McMurray of San Francisco, her uncle. None of the
principals in the conference would discuss afterward what
transpired, contenting themselves with the statement
that an agreement had been made not to discuss the case
outside their conference in any particular.
Mrs. Chaplin declined to make any comment
and the comedian himself was reported to be not at home
and could not be reached for a statement.
As to the possible points the parley hinged on statements
of close friends of both principals have previously
indicated the discussion centered on custody of the two
Chaplin children and the question of temporary
alimony.
Another conference probably will be held today, the
attorneys declared.“
Redaktioneller Inhalt
The Circus 1927 1928 1929 next previous
