Charlie Chaplin loved Catalina Island. It was an oasis of peace and an escape from the intrusive attentions of Hollywood.
Charlie Chaplin met Paulette Goddard on Joseph M. Schenck's yacht in 1932. Joseph (known as Joe) often went fishing and docked near Catalina, at Avalon. He was a film producer who played a key role in the film industry. His only wife was Norma Talmadge. Joe was captivated by the Hollywood lifestyle and lived it. His yacht was always full of friends: artists, filmmakers, and art enthusiasts. People liked Joseph M. Schenck. Joe was polite and liked to keep agreements, finding common ground among partners who often hated each other. Of course, he was also often criticized for his role as head of large film corporations (e.g., MGM).
Joe Schenck played a significant role in promoting the careers of many film artists, including Paulette Goddard. In turn, it was Schenck who persuaded one of the leading artists of silent film, specifically comedyβhis brother-in-law, Buster Keatonβto sign a contract with MGM. (Buster was married to Norma Talmadge's sister, Natalie, a marriage that proved to be a failure.) This casts a wide shadow over Joe Schenek. Keaton, a completely independent artist in the filmmaking process, proved ineffective at MGM. Many have blamed Joe Schenck for Buster Keaton's decline in the film industryβ¦ but that's another story entirely.
Paulette Goddard and Charlie Chaplin, who has just discovered... that he loves Catalina. Here they are with director Irving Thalberg and his wife Norma Shearer on the yacht "Invader" on their way to Catalina Island.
The real bond between Charlie Chaplin and Paulette Goddard was loneliness, as well as a deep emotional, artistic and professional bond.. Paulette Goddard became the director's muse and life partner for many years. Even after their separation, they continued to meet and harbored no ill will toward each other, and their subsequent relationship was very friendly.
Charlie Chaplin and Paulette Goddard spent every free moment together. They often took long Sunday walks, embarked on long trips, and explored almost the entire California coast. Their greatest attraction was the harbor in San Pedro and viewing the cruising yachts. One of them was for sale β a 16-meter (55-foot) motor yacht with three cabins, a galley, and a beautiful pilothouse.
- Well, if you had something like that to yourself - Charlie heard from Paulette - we could have a lovely Sunday and sail to Catalina.
Charlie and Pauletta, with the permission of the owner, a certain Mitchell, frequently visited the yacht. Without telling Pauletta, Charlie purchased the yacht and prepared it for a cruise to Catalina Island, bringing on board a cook and former "Keystone Policeman," Andy Anderson (Charles "Andy" Anderson), who was a licensed sailing captain.
One day, when they had nothing to do, Pauletta got in the car for a Sunday drive when she suddenly realized they were headed toward San Pedro. Pauletta became disgruntled, convinced Charlie was going yacht-watching again. When they arrived, Pauletta refused to get out of the car. She was tired of looking at cruising yachts. Finally, with great difficulty, Charlie persuaded her to get out.
Pauletta stepped aboard and was speechless. She recognized their Japanese chef, Freddie, and Andy Anderson, and the delicious aroma of frying bacon, eggs, and freshly brewed coffee wafted from the kitchen. A pink and blue tablecloth and matching china adorned the entire galley cabin.
"Well," - said Charlie. - "You wanted to go somewhere on Sunday, so after breakfast we'll head to Catalina Island for a swim."
Panacea Yacht Β© Roy Export Co. Ltd
And then Charlie told Pauletta he'd bought the yacht from a guy named Mitchell. Mrs. Goddard's reaction was hilarious; she ran off the yacht. She ran a few meters away and stopped, burying her face in her hands.
Charlie from the yacht called to her that breakfast was ready! When Pauletta returned, she said she had to do it to recover from the shock. They then warmed up the onboard engines and set sail for the Pacific Ocean, heading for Catalina Island, 22 miles from the mainland, where they remained for nine days.
Charlie Chaplin playing backgammon with Paulette Goddard on his yacht, the Panacea, which he purchased in March 1933.
That was Charlie Chaplin. Incredibly unpredictable.
In those years, Chaplin was a very wealthy man and could buy any yacht, no matter how luxurious and extravagant, but Chaplin was different. Unlike his boisterous colleagues and the characters he played, off-camera he valued silence and a modest life. Although he earned millions, for a long time he lived in rather ordinary circumstances, eschewing the extravagant lifestyles of the wealthy. This wasn't because he was stingy. He was simply practical and vividly remembered years of childhood poverty. He vividly recalled being in an orphanage, sleeping on the streets, and searching for food. These experiences shaped his character for life.
Therefore, to understand why Charlie Chaplin sometimes behaved so controversially, one must get to know him from a young age. One must understand the times and places he lived in, and the people he encountered.
An ill-considered assessment of Charlie Chaplin is like trying to create a painting without being able to distinguish colors.
Some scenic photos of Catalina Island (1929-1933)
Charlie Chaplin with Paulette Goddard
Santa Catalina Island
This isn't the end of the story about Charlie and Paulette on Catalina Island. There's also a film called "All at Sea," rarely seen because it's not a typical feature film. It's a private film, shot aboard the yacht Panacea. It was on the Panacea that rare, private footage was taken of Chaplin testing his parodies of famous figures (e.g., Napoleon) and other Hollywood stars (e.g., Greta Garbo).
And Charlie, as always, was passionate about his work...
The plot is based on the book "My Autobiography" by Charles Chaplin and "Chaplin: His Life and Art" by DAVID ROBINSON.
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