Charlie Chaplin, Woody Allen & a Moose went to a party

can anyone confirm the veracity of this anecdote from The Act of Creation?

Some years ago, at a fancy dress ball – in Monte Carlo, I believe – a competition was held ot decide which among the dozen or so guests masquerading as Charlie Chaplin came nearest to the original. Chaplin himself happened to be among them – and only got the third prize.

It reminds me of the superb Woody Allen nightclub routine, which is worth quoting in full:

“Here’s a story you’re not going to believe. I shot a moose once. I was hunting in upstate New York, and I shot a moose.

“And I strap him onto the fender of my car, and I’m driving along the West Side Highway. But what I didn’t realize was that the bullet did not penetrate the moose. It just creased his scalp, knocking him unconscious. And I’m driving through the Holland Tunnel and the moose wakes up.

“So I’m driving with a live moose on my fender and the moose is signaling for a turn. And there’s a law in New York State against driving with a conscious moose on your fender, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. And I’m very panicky. And then it hits meĆ³some friends of mine are having a costume party. I’ll go. I’ll take the moose. I’ll ditch him at the party. It won’t be my responsibility. So I drive up to the party and I knock on the door, and the moose is next to me. My host comes to the door. I say, ‘Hello, you know the Solomons.’ We enter. The moose mingles. Did very well. Scored. Some guy was trying to sell him insurance for an hour and a half.

“Twelve o’clock comes, they give out prizes for the best costume of the night. First prize goes to the Berkowitzes, a married couple dressed as a moose. The moose comes in second. The moose is furious. He and the Berkowitzes lock antlers in the living room. They knock each other unconscious. Now, I figure, here’s my chance. I grab the moose, strap him on my fender, and shoot back to the woods. But I’ve got the Berkowitzes. So I’m driving along with two Jewish people on my fender. And there’s a law in New York State, Tuesday, Thursday, and especially Saturday….

“The following morning, the Berkowitzes wake up in the woods in a moose suit. Mr. Berkowitz is shot, stuffed, and mounted at the New York Athletic Club. And the joke is on them, ’cause it’s restricted.”

About caspar

Caspar is just one monkey among billions. Battering his keyboard without expectations even of peanuts, let alone of aping the Immortal Bard. By day he is an infantologist at Birkbeck Babylab, by night he runs BabyLaughter.net
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