CHARLIE CHAPLIN’S ARRIVAL

CROWDS AT WATERLOO.

Those cinema patrons who wished to see their favourite film comedian in the flesh had no excuse for missing Charlie Chaplin on Saturday. His friends saw to it that the time-table should be known by all. A Channel fog served a useful purpose in preventing the arrival in London until such time as the batteries of cameras could do their best work, and from this point of view it must be regarded as a fortunate circumstance that sea mists delayed the Olympic and prevented that White Star leviathan docking until Saturday morning. The crowd had many hours’ notice of the change, and pictures were obtained so that the cinema public could see how the film star returned to the city of his birth. They will show him as an ordinary tourist; and, minus the hat, false moustache, long boots, baggy trousers, and cane which form his famous make-up, he will appear just a happy, somewhat embarrassed young man. The Mayor of Southampton welcomed Charlie Chaplin and hailed him as the “King of Mirth”. There were many representatives of the cinema industry to meet the comedian, and they took train with him to London. When the express reached Waterloo an enormous crowd was in waiting. Chaplin on alighting was surrounded by policemen and friends, but long before he reached the gates his bodyguard of stalwarts had to struggle with a good-humoured, cheering crowd. The crowd surrounded Chaplin in a noisy and boisterous scene, relieved by the saving sense of humour. The comedian looked tired and astonished, and probably there was no one more gratified than he when the weight of the throng carried him to his car. When he had got through the big crowd at the station Chaplin’s ordeal was not ended. His friends had told the world that a suite had been reserved for him at the Ritz Hotel. Fortunately, circumstances permitted an entry by means of the Arlington-street door of the hotel, but before the film actor could alight from his car there was a rush down the street and he was surrounded. People who had seen the actor on the screen wished to hear his voice, and in response to cries for a speech he said a few words of thanks for their welcome. Then the police got him into the hotel, and the crowd, which seemed to know where his rooms were, waited in the street for an appearance at a window. Chaplin came to his window carrying a bunch of carnations. These he flung among the crowd and retired, while the people struggled for the possession of the souvenirs.