The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-06-03
CHAPLIN Will, .
SHOW FIGHT IN
DIVORCE CASE
Answer and Cross Complaint
Filed BY Screen Star Give !
Other Side
EARLY TRIAL Is ASKED
Lita Described as ACalculat-
ing Young Woman and
Ipattentive Wife
EARLY TRIAL Is ASKED

Los Angeles June 3.--(A)s-The
"other side" Of the Charles Chaplin
divorce suit story--the film come
dian's answer to Lita Grey Chaplin's
sensational charges upon which she
seeks separation-went into the court
record here today as an indication
that the wealthy motion picture star
would show fight in defending him
self in the action. \"
Chaplin's answer and cross COM
p!aint, in which he asks the divorce
award, picturing the life he led with
Mrs. Chaplin and their two children
in the 40-room Beverly Hills mansion
during the two years they lived. to-
gether, was filed yesterday.
The! screen funster's double edged
counter suit depicted himself as hard
working, faithful and loving in his
home life. His w.fe's divorce bill had
pictured him as an unwilling bride.
groom. forced into marriage by fear
Of criminal prosecution, and cruel,
unfaithful husband, violently opposed
to fatherhood.
Charges Are Denied
To all of which he entered siren
uous denial and in the barrage Of
charges of his cross complaint his
wife was pictured as Calculating
young woman, an inattentivc wife and
an indifferent mother, at one time
in her matrimonial career infatuated
with one "young man" and later
"crazy" about an automobile sales
man, and in between these asserted
loves reveler at parties at which
she imbibed too freely Of liquor.
Mrs. Chaplin, cool, unperturbed and
smiling, refused to comment on her
husbands attack. Her attorney
LyndOl L. Young, however, promised
That reply would be filed befora
Monday and that it would make ex-
ceptionally good reading" He said
an early trial would be asked.
The comedians recitation Of hi,
own marital woes opened with ths
declaration that he had been sub.
jccted by his wife to course ot
gricvous mental suffering, humilia.
tion, embarrassment and anguish oi
mind"
Her Love Affair Described
He told Of her infatuation for "a
certain young man" whom, despite
her husbands expostulations, she
continued to 'see and be with and in.
vited him to her. heme," while the
comedian was at work.
At her instance, Chaplin further
charged, he permitted her to move in.
TO another house temporarily. But
this was done, he said, in order tina,
she might be able to see "the young
man" undisturbed.
Three or four months before the
separation last November, she began
associating with another young man
this time an automobile salesman, the
complaint recited. She ignored his
requests to break off this associa.
tion, and "habitually occupied her
self dancing in hotels, cafes, beach
resorts and other places" to "the
grievous neglect of the children"
. To top this off, the comedian as
serted, Mrs. Chaplin invited the sales.
IMAM TO her home and there enter.
taihed him and others and drank
liquor to excess.
Said She Wanted Divorce
Rcmonstrances, the actor set forth
brought statement from his wife
that she no longer loved him and de-
sired = divorces This, he said, was
followed by question as to what
financial arrangement he would make
for her and "what he was worth"
He placed his fortune, both separ-
ate and community property. at
$1,250,00O. Mrs. Chaplin had esti-
mated his total wealth at $l6, 6,OOO, 900.
From the time Of his marriage until
January l, 1927, he said, he had re-
ceived salary Of $25O,OO0 year as
an artist and director, but added that
his net. income did not exceed $162,-
O55 year. Mrs. Chaplin had de-
manded 1,2O0, 900 as a financial set
tlement. the comedian charged.
Chaplin asked not only for di-
vorce decree for himself. but also the
custody Of his two children.
Denies All ALLEGATIONS
His answer denied. point by point
his wife's allegations-thst he Sc.
duced her and was forced into mar
riage; that he urged his wife into
an unnatural relationship; that he
had told his wife he loved any other
woman or that he Mad sp1nt anF con-
siderable time with film Actresses or
other women; that he threatened his
wife with = pistol; that he did not
believe in the custom Of marriage;
that he ever had urged Mrs. Chaplin