World Tour (1931-32) Revisited: Romance in Berlin

Although his visit to Berlin lasted only a week, it didn't take Charlie long to find himself entangled in the charms of the opposite sex.

The first woman to pique his interest was a Viennese dancer named La Jana, whom he refers to as "G" in "A Comedian Sees The World." Chaplin said he met her at a party given by playwright Karl Vollmoeller. However, according to Charlie Chaplin: King Of Tragedy, written by Gerith Von Ulm (with information supplied by Chaplin's servant, Toraichi Kono), they met when La Jana and a friend showed up at his hotel suite one afternoon unannounced. Nevertheless, he was instantly infatuated and La Jana began accompanying him to parties and nightclubs. On their last evening together, they dined and danced at a gathering hosted by Sir Philip Sassoon. The following is Charlie's description of their last conversation:

"G" is very lovely. When I first saw her dance I was struck by her extraordinary charm, the rhythmic motion of her body and her volatile expression. She knew I appreciated the nuances and subtleties of her dance.

That evening after Sir Philip left, "G" and I sat and talked. I attempted to define the quality of her art.

"In your dance you seem to express an exotic loneliness--to be in pursuit of some strange beauty. This quality is part of your real personality."

"G" took my hand. Hesitating to find words she replied, "Charlie, I love you--you're so appreciative. Although we may never see each other again, I will not regret it. For we have met in our pilgrimage. It is good to know that you are in life, and a living part of it."

That was "G"--that was her philosophy. 

Betty Amann

Theodore Huff suggests that once Charlie was informed that La Jana was "a favorite of the old Crown Prince," he switched his interest to actress Betty Amann. Not much else is known about their romance except that she was the only girl to accompany Charlie to the train station when he departed for Vienna on March 15th. He embraced her, gave her "four kisses," & called "goodbye, sweetheart" as the train rolled out. She later declared to a reporter that she liked him very much.

And thus Charlie's romantic adventures in Berlin came to an end.

Betty & Charlie say goodbye in Berlin.

Sources: 
A Comedian Sees The World, Nov. 1933
Chaplin In Berlin by Wolfgang Gersch 
Los Angeles Times, March 16th, 1931