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control of most of his films, even writing of fortune due in part to the acrimonious a part of the world that he had always his own scripts and music scores. divorce from his second wife, Lita Grey, in wanted to visit. 1927. The news of the divorce, with charges Not wanting to travel alone, Chaplin Chaplin Visits Singapore in 1932 of abuse and infidelity levelled against asked his half-brother Sydney, then living Chaplin, received front-page coverage in in Nice, in the south of France, to accom- Chaplin was 43 years old when he made the scandal-mongering American press. pany him. The two of them had grown up his first visit to Singapore in 1932 with Adding to his woes, Chaplin had been together as impoverished youths in Lon- his half-brother Sydney Chaplin. He was under severe pressure from the Internal don and had moved to Hollywood, where already a rich and famous Hollywood Revenue Service because of unpaid back Sydney (or Syd) intermittently managed personality, having churned out a string taxes.3 On the professional front, he had his brother’s career in between taking on of successful films and founded the film difficulties transitioning from the era of various acting gigs, before quitting Hol- distribution company United Artists. He the silent movies to that of the talkies. lywood for good in the late 1920s. was feted by fans and the media every- He was sceptical of the new technology, Accompanying them on the trip was Chaplin where he went, and was single again – his and, as a compromise, agreed that his Charles’ personal secretary, Toraichi second marriage to the American actress latest film,City Lights, released in early Kono, a Japanese who had worked for Lita Grey had ended in divorce in 1927. 1931, would feature a music score but him since 1916. Together, the trio boarded In all Chaplin visited Singapore on no dialogue. the Japanese NYK (Nippon Yusen Kaisha5) in three occasions. His second visit was in On 13 February 1931, Chaplin sailed ocean liner called Suwa Maru in the port of 1936 (with his then fiancée Paulette God- to Europe for a publicity tour of City Naples, Italy, on 2 March 1932. Sailing via dard) and his final visit in 1961 (with his Lights, which took him to England, Ger- the Suez Canal and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), last wife, Oona, and a few of their eight many, Austria, Italy and France. Once the they arrived in Singapore on 27 March, children). Chaplin’s inaugural visit in 1932 tour was done, Chaplin stayed behind in according to the local press6 – although was particularly significant: firstly, it took Europe (mostly in Switzerland and on the the date Friday, 25 March is mentioned in place at a key turning point in his personal French Riviera) as he simply did not feel the tour itinerary found in the annex to the Singapore life and professional career; secondly, it like going back to Hollywood.4 Finally, in reprint of Charles Chaplin’s travel memoir.7 was his first extended holiday after almost February 1932, as he had already been 20 years of non-stop work; and finally, it away from home for exactly a year, Chaplin The First Leg of the 1932 Visit was his first trip to the Orient – a visit that decided to return to California. However, would leave a lasting impression on him instead of taking the shorter and faster Singapore, then part of the Straits Settle- in the years to come. route across the Atlantic and then to the ments under the British Governor Sir Cecil To be more precise, Chaplin stayed American continent, he would travel a Clementi, clearly featured in Chaplin’s in Singapore twice in 1932. The first time longer, circuitous route via the Orient, imagination as one of those exotic places One of history’s greatest comic actors, Charlie Chaplin, was in late March, on his way to Java and Bali in Indonesia, and the second was stops over in Singapore in 1932 and makes a return on his way back from the archipelago in late April into early May. Even though visit in 1936. Raphaël Millet traces these journeys. these may appear to be casual visits by a privileged white tourist taking an extended mid-career break, they left an indelible mark in Chaplin’s memory, so much so that he recounted them in his writings on two separate occasions. Shortly after Chaplin’s journey to the Orient, he penned a travel memoir titled Charles Spencer Chaplin (1889­–1977), or with his signature bowler hat, cane and A Comedian Sees the World, published more famously Charlie Chaplin, was one “toothbrush” moustache. The penniless in five instalments in a women’s lifestyle of the most celebrated stars of the 20th- pint-sized Tramp, with his bumbling ways magazine, Women’s Home Companion, century silent film era. Born in London and heart-of-gold, would become a hit from September 1933 to January 1934.1 on 16 April 1889 to struggling showbiz with film audiences all over the world, The fifth instalment of his work deals parents, Chaplin made his foray on stage always playing the underdog who would extensively with the Asian leg of his trip; cas a teenager in England, before moving to triumph in the end. it touches upon Singapore before moving the US in the early 1910s where he signed In all, Chaplin acted in, produced or to Bali and then Japan. (Facing page) Portrait of Charles on with the Keystone Film Company. directed 82 films throughout a glittering The second time Chaplin mentions Chaplin as the Tramp, with his Chaplin is perhaps best known for screen career spanning nearly 65 years. Asia again is some 30 years later when he signature bowler hat, large his iconic screen persona as the Tramp, The multi-talented Chaplin took creative shoes, flexible cane and “tooth- wrote My Autobiography, published in 1964 brush” moustache, 1915. Cour- by the English publishing house Bodley tesy of Wikimedia Commons. 2 Raphaël Millet is a film director, producer and critic with a passion for early cinema the world Head, and then by Penguin Books in 1966. (Above and left) Charles Chaplin over. He has published several books, including Le Cinéma de Singapour (2004) and Singapore (left) and his brother Sydney Chaplin arrived in Singapore on Cinema (2006), and is a regular contributor to BiblioAsia. He recently completed filming the the Suwa Maru on 27 March 1932, documentary Chaplin Bali (2017). What Brought Charlie to Asia? and were greeted by a 200-strong Towards the end of the 1920s, Chaplin crowd at Johnston’s Pier. This was confronted with both a personal and was Charles Chaplin's first visit a professional crisis. On the personal to Singapore. The Straits Times, 28 March 1932, pp. 11, 12. front, he had to cope with a few reversals

02 03 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature located “East of Suez”,8 or what was then While still onboard the Suwa Maru, When he arrives at a place, the faster night at the Sea View Hotel while waiting ately taken by ambulance to the Singapore News Service that Charlie is commonly called “the Orient”, as Chaplin Chaplin agreed to give a group interview he gets away from the European part for their boat to Java. Syd wrote of the General Hospital, where he was warded progressing satisfactorily.”22 refers to in his writings.9 to all the journalists present, among of it, the better. He likes to see how Sea View Hotel in yet another humor- for the next eight days. Leaving Ceylon, Chaplin wrote: “Our whom were British, Japanese, Chinese the natives live. If the guide wishes ous note that seems to corroborate the Not surprisingly, this instantly made In the meantime, Sydney Chaplin next port was Singapore, where we and Malay reporters, many eager to know to show him Government House or fact of their stay: “They switch off all the news not only in Singapore, but world- stayed at the Adelphi Hotel, where he entered the atmosphere of a Chinese if he was still going to make pictures, the Botanical Gardens, he asks for our lights after serving us with drinks, wide. The Associated Press issued a enjoyed hosting the press, providing jour- willow-pattern plate – banyan trees grow- and if his next picture would be a talkie. the slums.”16 because it is midnight – and so, we drink dispatch on 20 April, which was picked up nalists with regular updates on Charles’ ing out of the ocean.”10 Indeed, it would To which Chaplin nonchalantly replied: in the dark.”18 the same day by various newspapers such health, as well as giving The Straits Times have looked like a very green and lush “Of course, I am going to make more According to Syd’s travel notes, they The next morning, on 28 March, the as the Philadelphia Bulletin, the New York an exclusive interview about their recent coastline as the Suwa Maru sailed into the pictures. Will my next be silent or talkie? made the mandatory stop at the Raffles Chaplins left Singapore, sailing on the Post, the New York Journal, the Baltimore Balinese experience.23 harbour via the Strait of Malacca, cruising That I cannot say.” Hotel and then, unexpectedly, drove to steamship Van Lansberge to Batavia (now News, and other leading dailies.20 The Los In the end, Charles Chaplin was along the picturesque and undeveloped The journalists told him that his the Sea View Hotel in Tanjong Katong Jakarta), then by car to Surabaya where they Angeles Evening Herald Express ran a warded at the Singapore General Hospital western coast of Singapore. latest film,City Lights, had already been “only a short distance from town” and took another boat to Bali. The itinerary had huge headline on its front page: “Charlie much longer than he had expected. He Even though this is not clearly docu- shown in Singapore and was very well where “every room [came] with a bath, been prepared by their travel agent, Thomas Chaplin Ill in Singapore”, followed by a was discharged on 26 April, thus missing mented in either Chaplin’s writings or in received by local audiences. Chaplin modern sanitation [and] running hot and Cook and Son Ltd, whose Singapore branch detailed article that read: the ship to Japan, and had to stay put in newspaper articles of the time, the Suwa expressed surprise: cold water”. The now-demolished hotel was then located at 39 Robinson Road.19 Singapore until 6 May. Maru most likely sailed past the Telok Ayer faced the sea (as its name suggested) “Charlie Chaplin, American [sic]21 Once Charles was out of the hospital, Basin along the southern shoreline and “Is that really so? I should never and was surrounded by a coconut grove. The Second Leg of the 1932 Visit screen actor, was carried ashore to he joined Syd at the Adelphi Hotel, where docked near Johnston’s Pier, located right have believed it. And they liked City Together with the Adelphi and the Raffles, a hospital upon his arrival here from they wolfed down fresh pineapples,24 intent opposite Battery Road. The pier, which Lights, you say? I am glad to hear the Sea View was regarded as one of the After 18 days in Bali, the Chaplin brothers Java today, suffering a mild attack on enjoying their remaining days on the was built in 1856, would be torn down that. You see, a picture with just a finest lodgings on the island and, of the returned to Singapore via Java, where they of fever… The screen star’s illness island. As Charles describes it in his travel when Clifford Pier, a short distance away musical accompaniment can be three, “the most beautifully situated of all disembarked on 20 April 1932. They were was diagnosed as dengue fever, a memoir: “There were several days to wait along Collyer Quay, was completed in June shown anywhere. This is the beauty Singapore’s hotels”.17 not able to catch their connecting ship disease peculiar to warm climates before we could get a boat to Japan, so in 1933. Chaplin later recollected: “Myriads of it. There are no barriers to the Unfortunately, the Chaplin brothers to Japan on 24 April as they had initially and in particular to the East and West the meantime, we merged ourselves into of sailboats listed in the bay, and white silent picture.” were “the only customers”, Syd noted. planned as Charles had been stricken Indies… Sydney Chaplin, brother of the the life of Singapore… Of course anything ocean liners lay dormant, waiting to be fed Although not officially documented, it is with dengue fever during the trip to Bali. famous star, who is accompanying after Bali is a letdown. But Singapore has with cargo, and the harbor sang with color Once ashore, the brothers were taken very likely that the brothers spent the On arrival in Singapore, he was immedi- him on the tour, told International its charm.”25 and tropical life.”11 Writing was obviously on a guided tour of Singapore. Chaplin’s another one of Chaplin's many talents. first impression was positive: (Left) Established in 1906, Sea View Hotel was At Johnston’s Pier, about 200 peo- situated in a grove of coconut trees near the sea at ple waited to greet the Chaplin broth- “My first view of the city surprised Tanjong Katong, c.1930s. Charles Chaplin and his ers. This was certainly a change from me. Perhaps my imagination was brother Sydney Chaplin stayed for a night at the the heaving crowds that had welcomed influenced by the lurid portrayals hotel on 27 March 1932. Lim Kheng Chye Collec- tion, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. Charles Chaplin elsewhere. Relieved at of Hollywood’s conception of it, with (Below) Ephemera from the Sea View Hotel. the relatively subdued reception in Sin- its narrow evil streets and sinister (Bottom) Charles Chaplin and his brother made a gapore – what he was looking for in this droves on every corner. But on coming second stopover in Singapore, arriving on 20 April trip to the Orient was to escape the usual into the harbor, I found green open 1932 via Java. Unfortunately, Chaplin had contracted mob frenzy – he later wrote: “The crowds spaces and gardens before palatial dengue fever while in Indonesia and was warded 14 at the Singapore General Hospital for eight days. were not as demonstrative here as they granite buildings.” The Straits Times, 26 April 1932, p. 12. were in Ceylon, but then Singapore is two degrees off the equator and I don’t blame His brother Syd seems to have been them. Nevertheless, there was a medium far less enamoured with Singapore than crowd and I was cheered, photographed, Charles was. In his travel notes peppered and interviewed.”12 with humorous details and unexpected Interestingly, a journalist sent by The anecdotes, Syd describes a visit to a Straits Times to cover the event took it Hindu temple where they were shown upon himself to explain in his article the a “golden horse with… [a] swinging and reason for the modest size of the welcom- detachable phallus”. He quipped in his ing party in Singapore: usual sarcastic fashion that Singapore “should be called Stinkapore”,15 alluding “Asiatics are not as demonstrative. to the city’s poor sanitary conditions. This They are not in the habit of mobbing was likely observed during their visit to the cinema stars, even when the star is “native quarters”, presumably the poorer none other than Charles Chaplin, sections of the city. whose name is better known than In fact, it was Charles who had that of any other man in the world, insisted on seeing the less touristy side of whose pictures are as familiar in Singapore. As an actor and film director, China, Japan and India as they are he was always interested in scratching in England. Singapore’s cinema- below the surface. Syd highlighted this goers did not turn out in force to anecdote about his brother in a subsequent greet Chaplin, they know of him, they interview with the local press: crowd the cinemas to see his pictures, but they did not seem particularly “Charlie always makes for the native interested in seeing him in the flesh.”13 quarter more than anything else.

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They visited the Singapore zoo as (Below) Adelphi Hotel at the junction of Coleman Street and North Bridge Road, c.1945. Charles Chaplin well as the Seiryokan Fishing Pond26 and and his brother Sydney Chaplin stayed at the hotel in April 1932. Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. travelled around the island with drivers (Bottom) Charles Chaplin (4th from the left) was entertained by the Ranee of Sarawak, her daughter H. H. provided by the hotel. They also toured the Daya Elizabeth and Mr H. C. Strickland on 27 April 1932. Courtesy of Roy Export Company Establishment. city on rickshaws27 as Charles was very interested in seeing more of the natives’ quarters – much to Syd’s dismay – who, in his travel notes, recalls that a local doctor had told them that “since the forced closing of the red light district, girls now solicit [for business] from rickshaws”, contributing to a rise in the number of local men afflicted with venereal diseases.28 With so much time on their hands, the Chaplin brothers were thrust into Singapore’s social life, which they took to like ducks to water. On one occasion, they were entertained by the Ranee of Sarawak. They also met with Joe and Julius S. Fisher, two South African broth- ers who had settled in Singapore in the late 1910s and made their fortune in the (Above) From the left: Charles Chaplin, Julius S. Fisher, Sydney Chaplin and Joe Fisher. Brothers film industry. Joe Fisher was the man- Joe and Julius Fisher were South Africans who settled in Singapore in the late 1910s and later aging director of Capitol Theatres Ltd, made their fortune in the movie industry. Joe was the managing director of Capitol Theatres while Julius was its publicity manager. Ltd, while Julius was the publicity manager. Courtesy of Roy Export Company Establishment. The Fishers took Charles and Syd (Left) Letter from tycoon Ong Peng Hock inviting Charles Chaplin and his brother Sydney Chaplin for dinner at the New World amusement park. Courtesy of Charlie Chaplin Archive. on a tour of Capitol Theatre, which had been built a year earlier at the corner of Stamford and North Bridge roads. were extraordinarily gifted and well other themes, the struggles of work life S. Fisher, the publicity manager of Capitol The Capitol was a grand building that read, for their plays consisted of in the era of rising industrial automation. Theatres Ltd, whom Charles had met on was designed in the neoclassical style. many Chinese classics by the great Chaplin was accompanied on his his first visit here in 1932. Once again, It was one of the finest cinemas of the Chinese poets… The play I saw lasted second visit to Asia by his new fiancée Chaplin’s arrival did not go unnoticed by era, with plush seating for 1,600 patrons, three nights… Sometimes it is better and favourite leading lady, the glamor- the local press, but this time the crowds including circle seats, and exceptional not to understand the language, ous Paulette Goddard (1910−1990), who were much larger compared with his first acoustics. for nothing could have affected me was cast as his co-star and love interest visit. The Singapore Free Press reported The Fishers also took the Chap- more poignantly than the last act, in Modern Times. on 19 March: lin brothers to see the horse races in the ironic tones of music, the whining Travelling with them was Paulette’s Serangoon on 30 April, which was duly strings, the thundering clash of mother, Alta Mae Goddard, acting as a “Although the Suwa Maru arrived reported by The Straits Times the next gongs and the piercing, husky voice chaperone, and Chaplin’s new secretary- earlier than was expected, there day. The headline read “Chaplin Bros. at of the banished young prince crying cum-valet, Frank Yonemori. Sailing via was a large crowd at the wharf to the Races”, with a photograph of them out in the anguish of a lost soul… as Yokohama, Shanghai, Canton and Hong see Mr. Chaplin. Miss Goddard, dressed smartly in white linen suits and he made his final exit.”32 Kong, the party arrived in Singapore on who has a trim figure and vivacious pith helmets that they had purchased a the Suwa Maru – the same ship that had personality to go with her pretty face, few weeks earlier in Cairo. On 6 May 1932, after an extended brought Chaplin to Singapore in 1932 – on and Mr. Chaplin, who was dressed On 2 May, Charles Chaplin received 15-day sojourn in Singapore, the Chaplin 18 March 1936. in his usual faultless style, were a letter from the local tycoon Ong Peng brothers departed Singapore for Japan This time, sailing from the East at the rails when the ship berthed. Hock, who invited him and Syd for dinner on the NYK vessel Terukuni Maru. They across the South China Sea, the Suwa Mr. Chaplin was given a rousing on the following Thursday at the New would both come back to visit Singapore Maru docked at Clifford Pier, which had reception. A Malay police corporal, World amusement park (which Ong and again, but not together: Charles in 1936 been built in 1933. Even before their who had been limiting the numbers his elder brother Boon Tat owned) in Jalan and 1961; and Sydney in 1937. arrival, there had been much speculation of sightseers wanting to go aboard, Besar. The Chaplins were treated to “an about Chaplin’s and Goddard’s rumoured saluted Mr. Chaplin as he stepped 29 30 elaborate Chinese dinner” by Ong, who ring and give the prize to the winner. But As someone who made his mark in Chaplin Returns to Singapore in 1936 wedding (this would have been Chaplin’s from the gangway. Mr. Chaplin held then introduced them to Chinese and what truly fascinated him was the variety Hollywood, the mecca of the entertain- third marriage), which was said to have out his hand to the Malay corporal, Malay actors and performers working at of local theatre. ment industry, but who also was, at the Almost exactly four years later, soon af- taken place either in Shanghai or Canton, who shook it heartily. The corporal the New World. same time, an actor and artist very much ter Charles Chaplin’s latest filmModern or perhaps soon to be solemnised in was so pleased at Mr. Chaplin's Charles enjoyed New World so much “The Chinese drama listed several drawn to talent, Charles Chaplin could Times was completed and released, he Singapore. On 16 March 1936, the Malaya friendly gesture that he gripped Mr. that he returned with Syd on several occa- nights. My brother and I would sit appreciate the variety of entertainment made his second trip to Singapore. Tribune reported in an attention-grabbing Chaplin's hand in both his own hands. sions before their departure: “Occasionally of an evening trying to guess the that New World offered, recalling it as one Modern Times would be the last headline that “Charlie Chaplin May Be As if in recognition of Mr Chaplin’s we would go to the New World – the native different symbols that the actors used of the highlights of his stay on the island: film in which the affable Tramp, Chaplin’s Married in Singapore”; a few days later democratic spirit, a Chinese coolie Coney Island of Singapore – where every during the play. One was a stick with universally recognised screen persona, on 19 March, the front-page headline in led a cheer and hand-clap, in which known variety of entertainment is given, a fringe of wool around the top and “My outstanding memory of would appear. Produced in the middle of The Singapore Free Press read “Chaplin all the wharf labourers, hawkers and from Malay opera to prizefighting.” One center, which the actors would shake Singapore is of Chinese actors the decade-long Great Depression and Mysterious About Marriage”. 33 money-changers joined. Mr Chaplin evening, after watching a boxing match at majestically. I guessed correctly. It who performed at the New World capturing the angst of the period, Modern Before disembarking, the celebrity removed his white felt hat from his New World, Charles was asked to enter the was a horse.”31 Amusement Park, children who Times is a tragicomedy depicting, among couple were greeted on board by Julius whitening hair to acknowledge the

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coolies’ cheer. The taxi syces also a few paces, she cried out excitedly to Over the next few days, Chaplin and The three-night stopover was mostly clapped their hands as Mr. Chaplin, Charlie, who laughed back a reply”, The Goddard visited various places of inter- uneventful save for another lunch meet- Miss Goddard and Mrs. Goddard Singapore Free Press gleefully reported est in Singapore, such as the Singapore ing with the Fisher brothers, this time drove away.”34 on 20 March.36 Lunch would take place at Swimming Club, the Botanic Gardens and joined by two members from Asian royal the Tiffin Room of the Raffles Hotel with the Seiryokan Fishing Pond. Needless to families. One was a son of the Siamese The party took their rooms on the top Julius S. Fisher and his brother Joe, the say, the local press trailed the celebrity King Chulalongkorn, Prince Purachatra floor of the Coleman Street wing of the managing director of Capitol Theatres couple wherever they went, with Godd- Jayakara (who would unfortunately pass Adelphi Hotel, and the press made sure Ltd. Both were excited to host the couple ard always impeccably turned out in the away a few months later, in September to mention that “Miss Goddard and her as Modern Times was scheduled to open latest fashions and looking every inch 1936), and the other was Tunku Ismail, mother are occupying the same room.”35 at the Capitol Theatre on 12 May 1936.37 the glamorous star that she was. These the Crown Prince of Johor (who would be That same night, they dined in Katong Interestingly, on 20 March, Chaplin outings provided ample fodder for press crowned as Sultan Ismail in 1960). and spent the evening at the New World was invited to visit the Singapore Reforma- photographers. On Friday 10 April, Chaplin and amusement park, which Chaplin wanted tory by its Superintendent F. C. Johnson Although Chaplin’s marriage to God- Goddard finally sailed from Singapore Goddard to experience, before returning (whom he had met four years previously dard would last only six years, she was on the French liner Aramis, heading for to the Adelphi slightly before midnight. at New World). Chaplin readily obliged as regarded as a fine match for him as she Indochina before taking a slow cruise The following morning, 19 March, he was very interested in social issues. was “strong willed, independent [and] a back to the US. Chaplin’s fascination with Chaplin and Goddard toured the city by Interacting with the homeless boys was lover of life”. 38 Goddard acted in another Singapore was not over yet. He would rickshaw. “Paulette was fascinated with a reminder of his own childhood fraught of Chaplin’s film – in fact his first talkie – return again in 1961 with his fourth (and the rickshas. As her puller carried her with poverty and hardship. in 1940, entitled The Great Dictator, and final) wife, the actress Oona O’Neil, whom enjoyed a hugely successful film career he married in 1943. But that, as they say, right into the 1970s. is another story. On 24 March, Chaplin and his party left from Seletar airport on a Qantas Airways flight39 bound for Batavia,40 to begin their tour of the Dutch East Indies (Top right) Charles Chaplin’s silent film Modern (Indonesia). Returning from Bali via Times premiered at the Capitol Theatre on 12 May Batavia (“by Dutch plane”, meaning on a 1936, barely a month after Chaplin left Singapore. KNILM flight41), they landed in Singapore The Morning Tribune, 21 April 1936, p. 20. on 7 April 1936.42 Interviewed by a Morn- (Right) Film still from Modern Times. This was the last film in which the affable Tramp, Chaplin’s now ing Tribune reporter, Chaplin declared: “I universally recognised screen persona, would ap- have made no special plans for my stay pear. Produced during the Great Depression years, in Singapore, and I will just take things the film depicts the struggles of work life in the era as they come.”43 of rising industrial automation. Courtesy of Modern Times © Roy Export S.A.S.

(Left) Charles Chaplin flanked by Alta Mae God- 19 A copy of the Chaplins’ itinerary to Java and Bali drawn Retrieved from Trove website. [Note: Although both dard (left) and Paulette Goddard on their arrival Notes up by Thomas Cook and Son has been preserved in the Charles and Paulette remained extremely discreet in Singapore on the Suwa Maru on 18 March 1936. 1 Chaplin, C. (2014). A comedian sees the world (Parts IV Charlie Chaplin Archive. about their wedding, it seems that they married The Singapore Free Press, 19 March 1936, p. 1. & V). L. S. Haven (Ed.). Columbia, Missouri: University of 20 Clippings of these articles about Charles Chaplin’s illness offshore near Canton, something which Chaplin himself (Below left) Charles Chaplin and Paulette God- Missouri Press. (Not available in NLB holdings) in Singapore are kept at the Charlie Chaplin Archive. later acknowledged in his autobiography: “During this dard enjoying a rickshaw ride through the streets 2 Chaplin, C. (2003). Charles Chaplin: My autobiography 21 Charles Chaplin was born in the United Kingdom. He trip Paulette and I were married”, also adding a few of Singapore on 19 March 1936. Courtesy of Roy (Chapter 23). London: Penguin Classics. (Not available in never became an American citizen, and always retained pages later that they divorced six years later in June Export Company Establishment. NLB holdings) British citizenship. 1942 in Juarez, Mexico.] (Below) Paulette Goddard having a dip at the Singa- 3 Haven, L. S. (2014). Introduction (p. 2). In C. Chaplin, A 22 Charlie Chaplin ill in Singapore. (1932, April 20). Los 34 The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, pore Swimming Club on her visit here in March 1936. comedian sees the world. Columbia, Missouri: University Angeles Evening Herald Express, p. 1. 19 Mar 1936, p. 1. Courtesy of Roy Export Company Establishment. of Missouri Press. (Not available in NLB holdings) 23 The Straits Times, 24 Apr 1932, p. 9. 35 The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 4 Chaplin, 2003, p. 361. 24 Cf. Sydney Chaplin’s travel notes: “They insist upon 19 Mar 1936, p. 1. 5 The Japan Mail Steam Ship Company. serving us California canned fruits instead of the 36 Paulette’s first rickshaw ride. (1936, March 20).The 6 Charles and Syd Chaplin arrive. (1932, March 28). The Straits delicious fresh fruits of Singapore. What a strange form of Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, p. 1. Times, p. 12;Charlie Chaplin in Singapore. (1932, April 2). The snobbishness! Charlie and I prefer gorging ourselves with Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Malayan Saturday Post, p. 29. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. fresh pineapples!” 37 Page 20 advertisement column 1. (1936, April 21). The 7 Haven, L. S. (2014). Tour itinerary (p. 149). In C. Chaplin, A 25 Chaplin, 2014, p. 139. Morning Tribune, p. 20. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. comedian sees the world. Columbia, Missouri: University 26 Seiryokan Fishing Pond. (n.d.). Retrieved from Charlie 38 The Gamine: Paulette Goddard. (n.d.). Retrieved from of Missouri Press. (Not available in NLB holdings) Chaplin Picture Database. [Note: The author was The Chaplin Office website. 8 An expression popularised by Rudyard Kipling in his 1890 unable to find references to such a pond in primary 39 Untitled. (1936, March 24). The Malaya Tribune, p. 11. poem titled “Mandalay”, frequently used in the 1920s and sources of Singapore.] Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 30s, particularly in guide books such as Willis, A. C. (1934). 27 Sydney Chaplin’s notes: “We take rikishaw [sic] rides every 40 Qantas, founded in 1920 as the Queensland and Willis's Singapore guide. Singapore: Advertising and night through native quarters”. Northern Territory Aerial Services, had started flying Publicity Bureau Ltd. (Microfilm no.: NL 30538) 28 Sydney Chaplin, 1932 travel notes, Charlie Chaplin Archive. internationally from May 1935, when the service from 9 Chaplin, 2003, p. 362. 29 Sydney Chaplin, 1932 travel notes, Charlie Chaplin Archive. Darwin was extended to Singapore. When Chaplin took 10 Chaplin, 2003, p. 362. 30 Gunboat Jack stops Guillermo. (1932, May 2). The this flight, this was still a fairly new route. 11 Chaplin, 2014, p. 127. Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, p. 16. 41 The Koninklijke Nederlandsch-Indische Luchtvaart 12 Chaplin, 2014, p. 127. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Maatschappij (known in English as the Royal 13 The Straits Times, 28 Mar 1932, p. 12. 31 Chaplin, 2014, p. 139. Netherlands Indian Airways), founded in 1928, had in 14 Chaplin, 2014, p. 127. 32 Chaplin, 2003, pp. 362–363. 1936 launched a weekly flight from Batavia to Singapore 15 Sydney Chaplin, 1932 travel notes, Charlie Chaplin Archive. 33 Charlie Chaplin may be married in Singapore. (1936, via Palembang. The airline ceased operations in 1947. 16 The Chaplins’ plans for the future. (1932, April 24). The March 16). Malaya Tribune, p.11; Chaplin mysterious 42 Chaplin’s return. (1936, April 5). The Straits Times, p.1; Straits Times, p. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. about marriage. (1936, March 19). The Singapore Chaplin Chaplin back in Singapore. (1936, April 8). The 17 Willis, A. C. (1936). Willis's Singapore guide (pp. 30–31). Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, p. 1. Retrieved Morning Tribune, p. 11. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Singapore: Alfred Charles Willis. Retrieved from BookSG. from NewspaperSG; Rumor of Chaplin wedding 43 The Morning Tribune, 8 Apr 1936, p. 11. 18 Sydney Chaplin, 1932 travel notes, Charlie Chaplin Archive. in Singapore. (1936, March 18). Barrier Miner, p. 2.

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