Screening to Mark Chaplin Anniversary

Hollywood Heritage and its affiliate, the Silent Society, will commemorate the 100th anniversary of film legend Charlie Chaplin’s birthday April 16 with a rare film screening and a reception at the site of the comedian’s Los Angeles studio.

The event, 6 to 9 p.m. at the Chaplin Stage of A&M; Records, 1416 La Brea Ave. in Hollywood, will include the first complete U.S. screening of a recently discovered 1918 Chaplin film as well as a rare showing of “The Kid.” Chaplin’s associates will discuss their experiences with the actor, and his son, Sydney, also an actor, will receive a plaque honoring his father’s achievements.

The footage of the recently discovered 1918 documentary “How to Make Movies”--never released during Chaplin’s lifetime--depicts the actor/director’s film-making process; the rushes were reconstructed by Chaplin authorities Kevin Brownlow and David Gill.

“The Kid,” a 1921 classic about a vagrant who defies the law in his efforts to adopt a homeless boy (Jackie Coogan), is being pulled from reissuance after the event, and will not be shown again theatrically for seven years.

“Charlie Chaplin was a driving force in the motion-picture industry as we know it today,” said Silent Society president Randy Haberkamp, “and his improvisational style makes his work fresh for today’s audiences. We realized that the opportunity to reunite the man’s work with his original studio for the 100th anniversary called for something extraordinary. Support for the event has been tremendous.”

Admission to the Chaplin celebration--to benefit Hollywood Heritage and the Silent Society--is $15 for the public, $10 for Historical Heritage and Silent Society members, $25 for reserved front-row seating. For reservations and/or information, call the society at (213) 937-0776. Tickets will not be sold at the door.