Charlie Chaplin

From romance to business, the Chaplin family found Catalina a special home away from home. The most famous Chaplin, Charlie, was a genius of the silent film screen - both as an actor and as a film maker - and remains one of the most well known names in movie history.

Charlie Chaplin found Catalina a favorite retreat during his special romance with Paulette Goddard. His brother Syd, operated Chaplin Airline servicing Catalina for two years. But it is the romantic adventures of Charlie Chaplin and Paulette Goddard that remain one of the most memorable romances on Catalina.

Both Charlie and Paulette loved boating and swimming and enjoyed may happy stays on Catalina. Charlie recounted how he surprised Paulette with the purchase of the yacht, the Invader, to use for their boat trips from the mainland to Catalina, in his book ‘My Autobiography’. As recounted in William Sanford White’s book, Santa Catalina Island the Chaplin decided to purchase a boat. " Making Paulette believe he was a casual shopper, he took her with him several times to look at the same boat at a mainland marina. After their third or fourth visit, he bought it without telling her. One weekend he phoned her, suggesting they go to breakfast the next morning. Expecting to go directly to a restaurant in Los Angeles or Hollywood, Paulette was a bit surprised when he drove back to the dock where the much-viewed boat was berthed. They had checked every inch of the vessel so many times, she said she was embarrassed to go aboard again. ‘I’ll just wait in the car’ she told him. He talked fast and finally coaxed her aboard. "

As Chaplin reveals in his book " the cabin was gaily decorated with a pink-and-blue table cloth and pink-and-blue china to match. " And he recalls telling her " we have wheatcakes, bacon and eggs, toast and coffee - after breakfast we’re going to Catalina for a swim." And then the big surprise - that he was now the owner of the boat and that they were not just going out for breakfast and a swim, but were headed on a nine day holiday to Catalina !

Charlie Chaplin spent many happy times on Catalina in the 1920s and 1930s, and purchased several boats over the years for sailing to Catalina. Locals recall that he was a friendly, personable man, and they enjoyed his company while on the island.