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Oscars: Chaplin legacy toasted by granddaughters, nominees

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Forty years after Charlie Chaplin received an honorary Oscar for his contributions to cinema, some modern-day luminaries and his glamorous granddaughters gathered to toast the silent film star.

Dolores and Carmen Chaplin jetted in from Paris to host an exclusive Chateau Marmont dinner party with Harvey Weinstein. Jessica Chastain, Kate Bosworth, Jared Leto, Busy Philipps, Chelsea Handler and Juliette Binoche were among invitees.

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In the transformed library off the main lobby (the Chateau has been quite amendable to decor changes this awards season, by the by), heavy velvet drapes shielded the affair from passersby as Weinstein chatted up the likes of Rose McGowan, his ‘The Artist’ actress Missi Pyle and ‘The Descendants’ director Alexander Payne.

Harvey asked Payne to come and say a few words as a representative for all modern filmmakers. No pressure.

‘The miracle of Charlie Chaplin is the miracle of cinema,’ Payne said, pointing out that when the world took notice of Chaplin’s work it transcended nation, class and race.

Carmen shared an anecdote about Chaplin coming back to the States from exile in 1972, when he was given only a 10-day visa to come claim his statuette. His family was outraged, but Chaplin had his own interpretation.

‘ ‘Good, they’re still scared of me,’ ‘ Carmen said, recalling her grandfather’s reaction.

After dinner, courtesy Jaeger-LeCoultre, funny lady Handler lingered with Chateau owner Andre Balazs (we think it’s safe to say they’re back on), and Bosworth caught up with a squeaky-clean Leto, who left behind his usual avant-garde duds for a black suit and slick ponytail.

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Philipps wowed in black Dolce & Gabanna, but we were more interested in her dress for Sunday — as she’ll be Michelle Williams’ plus one. She tells us she’s got her red-carpet look lined up.

And what about her unpredictable effect on Michelle’s Oscar chances?

‘I’m glad she won the Golden Globe,’ Busy said. ‘That took all the pressure off.’

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Busy Philipps: Michelle Williams’ Oscar blessing or curse?

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— Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Top photo: Carmen Chaplin, left, gets close with Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain, center, and Dolores Chaplin.

Left photo: Chelsea Handler cuddles up to Kate Bosworth. Credit: Jeff Vespa / WireImage.


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