Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-11
CHAPLIN is CALLED FAITHLESS
HUSBAND IN WIFE'SDIVORCES SUIT
Screen Star Has $4,000
COO and $3.50, 900 Income,
Petition Declares.
Married Her to Keep Out of
Prison, She Asserts He
Told Friends.
By the Associated Press.


Los ANGELES. January IL
Charles Chaplin. known on the silver
screen as a funny, guileless individ-
ual, is pictured as cruel and faith
less husband, 16 times a millionaire,
with an income of more than $500
600 yearly. in n divorce suit filed
here by his cStranged wife. Lita
Grey Chaplin. Some of Mrs. Chap
Inns charges were unprintahle.
Mrs. Chaplin branded her husband
as scoffer nj marriage; as one who
boosted to her of his associations
with other women and as man
who believed his wife to be a gold
digger" and a "blaCkmaller.
AS the suit was filed late yester-
day Lloyd Wright. the screen actors
attorney, announced that Chaplin
was on his way to New York 'on
important business" Wright would
not say further as to the object Of
the trip or as to Chaplin's ultimate
destination. except 10 announce that
he had made ample provision for
his children during his absence"
Threats on Life Charged.
Mrs. Chaplin also charged her hus
band had said he had married her
10 avoid going to the penitentiary
and that she had forced him to go
through with the ceremony. She ac-
cused him of threatening her life and
brandshing a pistol in her presence.
Mrs. Chaplin seeks the custody of
her two sons, Charles Spencer, jr,, :,
and Sydney Earle, l; alimony, at
torney's fees and division of the
community property. The actors
fortune is estimated by her at SIG
600, 900 of which amount $10,000,000
is said to be community property.
His salary is said to be $250,000 an
nually and his income from other
sources is estimated at an additional
$500, 900
Mrs. Chaplin charges in her suit
that the actor twice threatened her
life with a loaded revolver and or
another occasion suggested that she
end her own life.
The complaint details the marital
life of the comedian and his girl wife
from the date of their marriage No
vember %, 1924, at Empalme, Mexico,
up to their separation last November.
when Mrs. Chaplin and her two chill
dren left he actors Beverly Hills
mansion for the modest cottage of
her grandparents, a short distance
away.
Alleged Honeymoon Talk.
An alleged conversation between |
Chaplin and some of his friends |
aboard the train which was bearing |
the bridal party back to California |
from Mexico forms the first specific |
charge in the complaint.
'Well, boys, this Is better than the |
but it won't last long"
the comedian is quoted as saying |
within earshot of his bride.
Upon their return to Los Angeles |
Chaplin is alleged to have frankly |
his wife that the marriage |
would not last long
81 will make you SO sick of me |
that you won't want to live with |
me-" he was quoted as saying.
Mrs. Chaplin charges that the
actor frequently accused her Of be-
ng a gold digger and BLACK
mailer" who had ruined" his career
md 'disgraced' him by forcing him
nto the marriage for the purpose of
holding him up
The comedian upbraided her, Mrs. |
Chaplin says, when she complained
Of his neglect.
Says She Was Left Alone
"Wer, what kind of treatment can
you expect? I didn't marry you be-
cause I wanted to, but because you
made me-" he answered.
Mrs. Chaplin declares that for the
first two months of their married
life her husband took her out in pub
tic on only three or four occasions,
and then with the explanation that he
was doing SO for the sake Of appear
ances.
She AYERS she spent Christmas day
of 1925 alone, Chaplin coming home
the next morning. He
did not see his children for two weeks
during last October, and since the
has failed to contribute
to their support, aside from
the payment of a $27 milk bill. AS
a result, Mrs. Chaplin says, she has
been forced to the necessity of Dor
rowing money from friends and to
rely upon the charity of her family.
Mrs Chaplin charges that on fire.
uuent occasions her husband told her
he did not believe in the custom of
marriage or in the marriage rela-