New Albert Einstein Biography & Chaplin connection

"On the same excursion, Einstein, at his own request, met Charlie Chaplin, who, as they arrived at the première of “City Lights,” said, of the applauding public, “They cheer me because they all understand me, and they cheer you because no one understands you.” - New Yorker

Chaplin and Einstein attended the Los Angeles premiere of 'City Lights' in 1931. The film was Chaplin's second to last silent film, but it wasn't totally silent. It was Chaplin's first film with his own musical score.

While fans of Chaplin know that Georgia Hale was with Charlie the night of the premiere, Edna fans learned at the 2006 Cinecon showing of the Lita Hill interview that members of Edna's family were at the same premiere.

Edna Purviance did not attend, but her sister Bessie Purviance Hill and sister-in-law, Helen Hill (wife to Chaplin's cameraman Morgan Hill and Lita Hill's mother) did attend the 'City Lights' premiere. A ticket and photos from that evening event are still in the collection.

Quote above from the latest biography about Albert Einstein "Einstein: His Life & Universe" by Walter Isaacson (from Simon and Schuster). Available in April 2007.

UPDATE APRIL 12, 2007 - from NPR
July 2006 - (4+ minutes) Interview with author Walter Isaacson about the Einstein letters. "Einstein Letters Reveal Inner Thoughts, Doubts" - LINK TO INTERVIEW

April 9, 2007 - NPR - "The Life Behind Einstein's World-Changing Ideas"- LINK

April 10, 2007 - (30+ minutes) - NPR interview with author Walter Issacson "Einstein: Relatively Speaking, a Complicated Life" - (interesting program) - LINK TO INTERVIEW