Theater Matches ‘Chaplin’s’ Glow

The Scene: Friday’s premiere of TriStar’s “Chaplin” at the Los Angeles Theatre. The French baroque movie palace on South Broadway downtown got almost as much attention as the film. Imagine if Liberace had decorated a screening room in Versailles. The theater is an eye-boggling blend of Corinthian columns, mirrored walls and coffered ceilings. “If the film is half as successful as the lobby,” said a guest, “it should make a fortune.”

Background: The rare downtown premiere was held because in 1931, the Los Angeles opened with the premiere of Chaplin’s “City Lights.” Despite being a silent released in the sound era, the film was a major financial and artistic success. TriStar execs are waving dead chickens and burning incense, hoping for the same results 61 years later.

Who Was There: The film’s star, Robert Downey Jr.; co-stars Dan Aykroyd, Paul Rhys, Geraldine Chaplin and James Woods; director Richard Attenborough, producer Mario Kassar, TriStar’s Mike Medavoy and Marc Platt; plus 1,400 guests, including Michael Caine, Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern, Charlton Heston, Kate Capshaw, Lester Persky, Sean Penn, Virginia Madsen and Chaplin’s second wife, Lita Grey.

Who Was There in 1931: At the black-tie “City Lights” premiere, the list ranged from John Barrymore to Cecil B. DeMille. Chaplin’s personal guests were Albert Einstein and wife, Elsa.

The Buzz: Downey has a lock on an Oscar nomination. “When he was doing the Chaplin routines, Downey was unbelievably brilliant,” said Steven Spielberg.

Quoted: “This film is about more than Charlie Chaplin,” said Downey. “It’s about rediscovering his art. That’s what I really hope comes out of it. I’m still watching his movies on weekends. What I would tell people is: Enjoy this film and please watch Charlie Chaplin movies.”

Chow: Because the party sprawled over four levels (including a downstairs ballroom) It’s Our Party had 10 buffets that included Norwegian smoked salmon, pates, beef skewers and dessert.

Glitches: Although well-off Westsiders got an after-dark glimpse of downtown’s gritty urban reality, gritty urban reality is the reason they fled New York in the first place. Also, their gritty urban skills seemed a bit rusty. The wait for the valet parking was interminable, but nobody volunteered to walk to the parking lot for his or her car.

Glitch in 1931: Midway through the “City Lights” premiere, the film was interrupted and the lights raised by the theater management. They wanted the guests to get a better look at the theater’s beauty. If there’s such a thing as theatricide--the murder of a theater owner--Chaplin was ready for it.