He is best known for movies such as Modern Times, The Great Dictator and The Great Gatsby, but it’s the comedy actor’s funny songs which might have more of an impact on you than any of his onstage antics
Charlie Chaplin is best known for movies such as Modern Times, The Great Dictator and The Great Gatsby, but it’s the comedy actor’s funny songs which might have more of an impact on you than any of his onstage antics.
Since 1924 Chaplin has reportedly performed at Waterville Golf Club every year on his birthday. Since 1920, he has made the course a place of himself by turning up on the 18th fairway for a birthday shoot.
And if you’ve ever tried to book a membership at the golf club, you know it gets busy with celebrity fans who want to play the course with the legendary comedian.
OK, not necessarily. To be fair, it may be simpler than that.
Chaplin has been a Waterville celebrity for more than a century and he has showed up every October, despite this having never been printed in the instructions to members.
He was given the go-ahead in 1919 to play at the course by the club’s founder Jack Henderson. Henderson was a famous dog breeder, and member of the Order of St Peter in the Royal Order of Saint John in the Apostles – an order from the Catholic church – and had won several Crufts competitions.
It is said that other members enjoyed being able to play with Chaplin and they would expect the course owner to reciprocate. When Chaplin was not available, they would hire someone who could. In 1921, however, Chaplin launched his “character” Victoria Titmuss on the course and played for 20 months.
According to the fine print on the website, members of Waterville Golf Club “may acquire a member’s discount on the course’s greens fees”. There is no indication that you get to see Chaplin play.
But if you do happen to find yourself on the course, take some souvenirs. Perhaps some to remember the funniest man who ever lived.