I had always been under the impression that the above photos of Charlie with Gloria Swanson, Marion Davies & Harry Crocker were taken at a party following the Hollywood premiere of
The Circus, but I recently discovered that that is evidently not the case. These photos, plus the one below, were taken at a welcome home party that was given for Marion Davies at the Ambassador Hotel following her return from Europe in October 1928.
Original photograph caption dated October 31,1928 reads: "Photo shows a distinguished group of filmland notables at a welcome party honoring Marion Davies, famous star just returned from a three-month trip abroad. Standing, left to right, Lorraine Eddy, Matt Moore, Aileen Pringle, Louis B. Mayer, Gloria Swanson, Harry D'Arrast, Miss Davies, Louella O. Parsons, Ricardo Cortez, Charlie Chaplin, Norma Shearer, Irving G. Thalberg, Harold Lloyd and Robert Z. Leonard. Seated in foreground are Harry Crocker, left, and William Haines. The French room of the Ambassador was transformed into likeness of a Parisian cafe for the surprise party greeting Miss Davies." (Los Angeles Herald-Examiner Collection)
