Hollywood Divorce In the 30's
If you agree with Alice Roosevelt Longworth's "If you have something bad to say about someone -- come sit by me!" This is your blog. While not a big one, I've pulled some material from my Hollywood Divorce In the 30's that may not have appeared here before. (if you need a key to the abbreviations, look for them in the previous blog.
I spent most of the day at the LA Library looking at Rex Lease's & Kenneth Harlan's celebrity cookbook from 1939. Wotta lot of fun! Even John Barrymore's recipte for "Ham Loaf" didn't bother me, and despite Bing Crosby's calling for a "pound of American cheese," the recipe actually looked pretty good and, better, easy to make (Bing's radio sponsor being Kraft cheese).
gdh
4/19/1932 HCN Elizabeth Yeaman
With a political expose being launched on every side, the writers of satire are jumping to the fore with clever yarns based on the subject of exposes of one kind or another. An expose is one of the most popular subjects for screen entertainment these days. At least it is popular with the producers. Gangland has been exposed, pornographic tabloid newspapers have been exposed, corrupt politicians have been exposed, secrets of Hollywood have been laid bare, and now the radio is due for an expose via the screen. One of the executives of United Artists is very much interested in a story called Hot Air. The novel, now being written, is said to be the “Once In a Lifetime” of Radio. If the content is as good as the title it should be a wow! With nearly every producer contemplating a story based on radio entertainers, it is strange that no one thought of the title Hot Air until now. The authors of the novel thus titled are Jerry Wald, a columnist on the New York Graphic, and Al Zugsmith who is Paul Whiteman’s press agent. Liveright is going to publish the book, but if the screen rights to the story are sold, publication of the novel will be withheld for a time so that both the book and the picture can be exploited at the same time. Furthermore, if United Artists makes the picture, there are two outstanding stars right on the lot who could head the cast. Either Al Jolson or Eddie Cantor might be starred in Hot Air. But it is more probable that another star will be engaged if and when the picture goes into production. Even if the studio should decide that the story is not suitable, the title is worth a lot and we all know how stories are vamped about titles in Hollywood.
....
They say that show people, both stage and screen, are superstitious. But one superstition is about to be exploded here, and that is the bogey of unlucky thirteen. Thirteen keeps bobbing up in titles with such frequency that it is becoming difficult to keep the stories and the studios straight. Of course we all remember The Thirteenth Chair. Then a few days ago Radio Pictures bought Tiffany Thayer’s novel, “Thirteen Women” as a starring vehicle for Irene Dunne. This is a mystery yarn I am told, and not another sex drama of the type Thayer usually writes. Over at Columbia a story has just been acquired by the title of The Thirteenth Man. It too is a mystery yarn written by Elliott Clawson. Higgon will direct and Jack Holt will be the star. This, too, is a weird mystery story. It centers about the discovery of a derelict tramp steamer sighed in the Banda Sea on which are found twelve dead men sitting upon the deck in a row, a delirious man and a beautiful woman in an open boat, and eight sacks of gold. The picture will go into production after Holt makes War Correspondent.
....
Despite all the talk of Jack Oakie being borrowed from Paramount for a comedy role in The Blessed Event at First National, a complete list of the cast for this picture issued today does not contain the name of Oakie. Those officially cast are Lee Tracy, Mary Brian, Preston Foster, Ruth Donnelly, Allen Jenkins, Milton Wallace, Ned Sparks, Gloria Shea, Frank McHugh, Walter Walker, Walter Miller, Edwin Farwell, Harold Waldridge and Jack LaRue. There are six minor roles still to be filled, but it is not logical to suppose that Oakie will fill one of them. Warners wanted Oakie and hoped to get him at a late hour yesterday, but I understand that Paramount was not anxious to lend him.
....
Matty Kemp is coming back in pictures without any doubt now. You know he was signed for the part of Will Rogers’ son in Down To Earth. Then yesterday Fox handed him a term contract. Matty was well known on the silent screen, but he has done practically nothing since talkies hit the industry. At Fox he will be associated again with Sally Eilers. Do you remember them when they were co-starred in Goodbye Kiss, a Mack Sennett feature?
....
Several producers were interested in the Broadway play, “Life Begins,” but most decided that the material was too censorable for the screen. In all events, Warners bought the screen rights and they may change the title to Woman’s Day. The action takes place in a maternity ward, and in the cast are Loretta Young, Hardie Albright, Vivienne Osborne, Clara Blandick, Dorothy Tree, Sheila Terry, Walter Walker and May Phillips. That is a fine cast. James Flood will direct.
....
Casting About--Norman McLeod left last night for Europe where he will spend 6 to 8 weeks before returning to complete Horsefeathers which is held up by the disability of Chico Marx who suffered a fractured knee in an automobile accident. Lilyan Tashman returns today with many trunks of new gowns. She has been away since last August when she left with her husband for Europe, and since then has made one picture, The Wiser Sex for Paramount in New York and has just completed a vaudeville tour. Lina Basquette was thrown from her horse at Columbia yesterday while working with Buck Jones in Born to Trouble, and was sent home to be treated for bruises.
Hollywood Divorce In the 30's
1/9/1931 LAX MIX DECLARED ONCE ACCUSED OF STEALING HORSE
Natches, Miss., 1/8 (AP)--The claim that Tom Mix was charged with stealing a 20-year-old horse named “bologny,” before Mix entered the movies was made by counsel for Col. Zach T. Miller, owner of the 101 Ranch Shows at trial today of a $50,000 breach of contract suit, brought by the showman against the actor.
Counsel for Miller said testimony would establish that Mix harbored malice against Miller, whom he believed responsible for the charge.
One of Mix’ divorced wives, Mrs. Olive Mix, testified to knowledge of the Mix-Miller contract. She told the court she did not know when they were divorced and “thought” the decree was granted in California.
TELEGRAMS READ
“Is a divorce so trivial you can’t remember it? Asked Mix’ lawyer.
“It was in my case,” replied the witness.
Telegrams purporting to have passed between the showman and the actor were introduced in which Mix said he would consider a salary of $10,000 weekly, but would require a private railroad car sufficient to accommodate “two horses, a Rolls-Royce automobile and an entourage of seven people.”
Sitting in the court room in doe-skin riding habit, Mix smiled broadly when he was quoted as saying in a telegram:
“I am not afraid of work, but I must have my comforts.”
1/16/1931 EE Jimmy Starr
Some months ago Mrs. Edward Sutherland startled staid (?) old Hollywood by giving a huge party at one of the exclusive supper clubs and announcing that the affair was a “divorce party”–she was through with her married life under the title of Mrs. Edward Sutherland.
The idea got quite a laugh from the social folk. Several matrons, also possessing separation ideas, considered doing the same stunt, but they lost their nerve.
Now I learn that the idea has been put in Among the Married, which Edgar Selwyn is directing for MGM.
There’s a whole sequence in the picture concerning the “divorce party.”
3/5/1931 EH DIXIE LEE, ‘BING’ CROSBY IN CLASH
Another Hollywood romance, that of Dixie Lee, film actress, and her husband, “Bing” Crosby, “crooning” singer of Gus Arnheim’s orchestra, today was “on the rocks,” according to Miss Lee’s admission that she and her husband were separated after six months of married life and that she will soon file a divorce suit against him, charging mental cruelty.
3/31/1931 LAX
Jocelyn Lee, film actress, yesterday sat in Superior Judge Sproul’s court and heard herself depicted as a red-headed fury, flying into rages when her whims were denied.
Today, or maybe tomorrow, Luther A. Reed, film director and writer, is scheduled to hear himself painted as a man possessed of a temper that caused him to punch his wife in the jaw.
It all has to do with the divorce trial which began yesterday and which will continue for several days. Reed began by accusing his wife of cruelty and told his story under the direction of attorney R.D. Knickerbocker.
The actress filed a counter suit asking that the divorce be awarded her on the ground of cruelty together with the custody of their two children. Celeste and Dana, and $2400 a month alimony. She was represented by Attorney A.I. McCormick.
The highlight of Reed’s story dealt with a trip to Agua Caliente and a bottle of perfume. It appeared that Reed and his wife plus a party of friends went to Caliente and became hilarious. Reed said his wife also became abusive.
“She wanted me to give her money to gable, and I didn’t have any,” he said. “She called me all sorts of names. She had a handful of dollar chips and she threw them in my face. The management made us leave the place and go to our room.”
The rumpus, said Reed, continued after they got to their room, and they were ousted from the hotel in the early morning hours. That is where the perfume came in. Reed said:
“She wanted a bottle of perfume. I didn’t have any money to buy one and she scratched my face till it bled. She said she’d get that perfume if it was the last thing she did. I had to call a policeman to help me.”
4/1/1931 LAX
Soft answers did not turn away the wrath of titian-haired Jocelyn Lee as she directed her fury against her husband, Luther Reed, film director and writer; on one occasion at Agua Caliente.
At least it was so testified yesterday in the contested divorce trial between the couple now in progress before Superior Judge Joseph P. Sproul. The telling was in behalf of Reed, who was seeking to show that his actress-wife had treated him cruelly. Previously, he testified to a party at the Mexican resort where he and his wife had been ejected from the hotel because of her asserted noisiness. To corroborate this, the house detective of the Mexican hotel took the witness stand.
‘I HEARD A RACKET’
“It must have been just before dawn I heard a racket coming from their room,” he said. “I heard a lot of crashing and it sounded as though somebody was getting killed. So down I went to the door, burst into the room.
“Mrs. Reed was standing at the foot of the bed and was just about to pitch a shoe at Mr. Reed, who was standing in the bathroom door. When I got a good look at Mr. Reed, I forgot all about the woman.
“Reed was unclothed, covered with blood from his head to his feet. ‘What’s the matter?’ I asked him. He said she had hit him with an ash tray, so I told him to wash up and both of them to get out. He started to pack and everytime he would pick up anything she would swear at him.”
HIS HONEYED WORDS
“And when she swore at him what to Reed do?”
“He was saying, ‘Honey, don’t do that,’ but that didn’t have any effect. She cussed him just the same.”
Bert Wheeler, film comedian, also put in his say in behalf of Reed. He had been a member of the party at Caliente, he said.
“She got made right out in the gambling room, and threw a handful of dollar chips into Reed’s face. It certainly was a mess. I saw him later in the day and his face looked like he had been clawed by a wildcat.”
Today Mrs. Reed may get a chance to tell her side of the story, provided Reed’s long list of witnesses finish testifying.
4/3/1931 LAX
Jocelyn Lee, red-haired film actress, yesterday recited to Superior Judge Joseph P. Sproul, in a crowded courtroom, the story of a hectic tug-of-war staged during a raid she made in the search of divorce evidence against Luther Reed, director.
The story was told at the trial of the contested divorce case, which has been in progress several days and which will be resumed today.
To come to the story of the house where the actress said she found her husband one night last November. She declared it was the home of a friend of Reed’s on King’s Road in Hollywood. Miss Lee had had a detective at work and he telephoned her that night that the stage was set and for her to come at once.
She testified:
“I went up to the window, where I heard my husband’s voice and someone kissing inside.
“I yanked open the screen and went through the window. I was so surprised at what I saw that I screamed. There was a girl there, and my husband. He began to chase me and the girl ran out of the room.
“I saw the girl’s clothes lying on the chair with some silk underwear. I made a dive for them and my husband grabbed them, too. He was pulling and I was pulling and then the owner of the house came into the room.
“When I left the house about an hour later, there were three girls sitting outside in a car. I don’t know whether one of them was the one with my husband or not. I’d never seen them before.”
6/19/1931 HDC W. CLARK GABLE, PICTURE ACTOR, REMARRIES WIFE
To strengthen marriage vows taken a year ago in an eastern city, William Clark Gable, actor, and the former Mrs. M. Franklin Langham, of New York, today were married before Justice of the Peace Kenneth L. Morrison in Santa Ana.
Mrs. Gable said that she married the actor on March 30, 1930, in an eastern city which she would not name.
At that time, she said, Mr. Gable’s divorce decree in California had not become final. It was anticipated that this would make no differences to their marriage vows, however, as they planned to live in the east.
Since then, Mrs. Gable said, her husband came to Hollywood and both planned to make their home here. On the advice of counsel they decided to remarry as they were acquiring community property.
Mrs. Gable said she was a New York divorcee and had lived there with a son and daughter three years ago.
Mr. Gable is a product of the New York stage. He came here to make his debut in motion pictures opposite Greta Garbo. He graduated from the Akron, O., University and went direct to vaudeville, later to become a successful New York stage actor.
The pair live at the Ravenswood Apartments, 570 North Rossmore Avenue.
6/23/1931 LAX UKULELE IKE WINS DIVORCE FOR ‘CRUELTY’
Clifton A. “Ukulele Ike” Edwards, film comedian, won the divorce and his wife, Irene, former actress, won the property settlement suit.
Thus ended the sensational suit yesterday, when Superior Judge Dailey S. Stafford, who had taken the case under advisement, handed down his decision, approving validity of the property settlement contract, made May 6, 1929, by which Mrs. Edwards received $100,000 and one-third of the future earnings of her husband.
The court granted Edwards the divorce on grounds of mental cruelty only, pointing out that there was nothing but a “strong suspicion” in the allegations of her misconduct with Austin J. “Skins” Young, blues singer.
Edwards had sought to establish that the contract by which he agreed to give his wife one-third of his future earnings was invalid.
Attorney T.B. Cosgrove represented Mrs. Edwards in court, while attorneys John M. Bowen and C.O. Bacon appeared as counsel for the plaintiff.
6/23/1931 LAX
Clifton A. “Ukulele Ike” Edwards, film comedian, won the divorce and his wife, Irene, former actress, won the property settlement suit.
Thus ended the sensational suit yesterday, when Superior Judge Daily S. Stafford, who had taken the case under advisement, handed down his decision, approving validity of the property settlement contract, made May 6, 1929, by which Mrs. Edwards received $100,000 and one-third of the future earnings of her husband.
AWARDS DECREE
The court granted Edwards the divorce on grounds of mental cruelty only, pointing out there was nothing but a “strong suspicion” in the allegations of her misconduct with Austin J. “Skins” Young, blues singer.
Edwards sought to establish that the contract by which he agreed to give his wife one-third of his future earnings was invalid.
Attorney T.B. Cosgrove represented Mrs. Edwards in court, while attorneys John M. Bowen and C.O. Bacon appeared as counsel for the plaintiff.
6/24/1931 LAX PAULINE STARKE DIVORCED, MENTAL CRUELTY CHARGED
Pauline Starke White became JUST Pauline Starke, film actress, again yesterday.
Granting her a divorce from Jack White, prominent motion picture producer, Superior Judge Dailey S. Stafford declared that White’s rejection of her affection constituted the highest form of mental cruelty. The decree was granted on the grounds of mental cruelty and desertion.
“Whenever I would approach my husband in an affectionate manner he would always repulse me,” she told the court. “He was always reminding me that he considered himself my mental superior.”
According to Superior Court records, White has been paying the actress $400 a month alimony pending hearing of the suit. The couple married in San Francisco September 4, 1927, and separated last January.
7/15/1931 EH GINGER ROGERS DIVORCES ACTOR
AP, DALLAS, 7/15
Ginger Rogers, RKO-Pathe star, and E.J. (Jack) Culpepper, Dallas vaudeville actor, have been divorced.
It was revealed yesterday the red-headed Fort Worth girl who gathered fame in Hollywood shortly after she won a Texas Charleston dancing championship, had been granted a decree by Judge Towne Young in District Court here Saturday.
Miss Rogers nee Virginia Katherine McMath, told a story of alleged abuse and misrepresentation on the part of her husband.
She said she married when she was 17, and without the consent of her mother, Mrs Lehla. Rogers.
"I married the defendant, relying on his representations that he was a sober, hard-working man, with theatrical connections and that he did not drink and could make a great actress out of me," she said.
She said they married in New Orleans, March 25, 1929.
7/17/1931 LAX
New York, 7/16--When the Twentieth Century rolled into Grand Central Station today, who should be on board but Constance Bennett and the Marquis de la Falaise de la Coudrale.
Mrs. Richard Bennett, Connie’s mother, was at the station to meet her. But there were a lot of reporters there, too.
“Are you going to marry the Marquis?” one of the reporters asked.
“It would be very bad taste to say anything about that, now,” said the movie actress. “The Marquis has not even got his divorce.”
8/27/1931 LAX Louella O. Parsons
The latest Hollywood romance is Miriam Hopkins and Dudley Murphy. They are seen constantly at the beach swimming and walking together. Miss Hopkins recently separated from Austin Parker, but so far there has been no divorce.
9/14/1931 LAR GRANT WITHERS FACES ARREST
When Grant Withers, motion picture actor, steps off the train upon arrival here from New York, he will be met by a deputy sheriff with a warrant for his arrest.
Deputy City Prosecutor Dorothy Garland has issued a complaint charging the actor with failing to provide for his 10-year-old son, Robert. Mrs. Inez Withers, mother of the child and Wither’s first wife, swore to the complaint.
Loretta Young, actress, his second wife, has filed suit for divorce.
9/17/1931 LAR SCREEN STAR MISSES SUIT
Dolores Del Rio, Mexican film star, escaped being named co-respondent in a divorce suit
I spent most of the day at the LA Library looking at Rex Lease's & Kenneth Harlan's celebrity cookbook from 1939. Wotta lot of fun! Even John Barrymore's recipte for "Ham Loaf" didn't bother me, and despite Bing Crosby's calling for a "pound of American cheese," the recipe actually looked pretty good and, better, easy to make (Bing's radio sponsor being Kraft cheese).
gdh
4/19/1932 HCN Elizabeth Yeaman
With a political expose being launched on every side, the writers of satire are jumping to the fore with clever yarns based on the subject of exposes of one kind or another. An expose is one of the most popular subjects for screen entertainment these days. At least it is popular with the producers. Gangland has been exposed, pornographic tabloid newspapers have been exposed, corrupt politicians have been exposed, secrets of Hollywood have been laid bare, and now the radio is due for an expose via the screen. One of the executives of United Artists is very much interested in a story called Hot Air. The novel, now being written, is said to be the “Once In a Lifetime” of Radio. If the content is as good as the title it should be a wow! With nearly every producer contemplating a story based on radio entertainers, it is strange that no one thought of the title Hot Air until now. The authors of the novel thus titled are Jerry Wald, a columnist on the New York Graphic, and Al Zugsmith who is Paul Whiteman’s press agent. Liveright is going to publish the book, but if the screen rights to the story are sold, publication of the novel will be withheld for a time so that both the book and the picture can be exploited at the same time. Furthermore, if United Artists makes the picture, there are two outstanding stars right on the lot who could head the cast. Either Al Jolson or Eddie Cantor might be starred in Hot Air. But it is more probable that another star will be engaged if and when the picture goes into production. Even if the studio should decide that the story is not suitable, the title is worth a lot and we all know how stories are vamped about titles in Hollywood.
....
They say that show people, both stage and screen, are superstitious. But one superstition is about to be exploded here, and that is the bogey of unlucky thirteen. Thirteen keeps bobbing up in titles with such frequency that it is becoming difficult to keep the stories and the studios straight. Of course we all remember The Thirteenth Chair. Then a few days ago Radio Pictures bought Tiffany Thayer’s novel, “Thirteen Women” as a starring vehicle for Irene Dunne. This is a mystery yarn I am told, and not another sex drama of the type Thayer usually writes. Over at Columbia a story has just been acquired by the title of The Thirteenth Man. It too is a mystery yarn written by Elliott Clawson. Higgon will direct and Jack Holt will be the star. This, too, is a weird mystery story. It centers about the discovery of a derelict tramp steamer sighed in the Banda Sea on which are found twelve dead men sitting upon the deck in a row, a delirious man and a beautiful woman in an open boat, and eight sacks of gold. The picture will go into production after Holt makes War Correspondent.
....
Despite all the talk of Jack Oakie being borrowed from Paramount for a comedy role in The Blessed Event at First National, a complete list of the cast for this picture issued today does not contain the name of Oakie. Those officially cast are Lee Tracy, Mary Brian, Preston Foster, Ruth Donnelly, Allen Jenkins, Milton Wallace, Ned Sparks, Gloria Shea, Frank McHugh, Walter Walker, Walter Miller, Edwin Farwell, Harold Waldridge and Jack LaRue. There are six minor roles still to be filled, but it is not logical to suppose that Oakie will fill one of them. Warners wanted Oakie and hoped to get him at a late hour yesterday, but I understand that Paramount was not anxious to lend him.
....
Matty Kemp is coming back in pictures without any doubt now. You know he was signed for the part of Will Rogers’ son in Down To Earth. Then yesterday Fox handed him a term contract. Matty was well known on the silent screen, but he has done practically nothing since talkies hit the industry. At Fox he will be associated again with Sally Eilers. Do you remember them when they were co-starred in Goodbye Kiss, a Mack Sennett feature?
....
Several producers were interested in the Broadway play, “Life Begins,” but most decided that the material was too censorable for the screen. In all events, Warners bought the screen rights and they may change the title to Woman’s Day. The action takes place in a maternity ward, and in the cast are Loretta Young, Hardie Albright, Vivienne Osborne, Clara Blandick, Dorothy Tree, Sheila Terry, Walter Walker and May Phillips. That is a fine cast. James Flood will direct.
....
Casting About--Norman McLeod left last night for Europe where he will spend 6 to 8 weeks before returning to complete Horsefeathers which is held up by the disability of Chico Marx who suffered a fractured knee in an automobile accident. Lilyan Tashman returns today with many trunks of new gowns. She has been away since last August when she left with her husband for Europe, and since then has made one picture, The Wiser Sex for Paramount in New York and has just completed a vaudeville tour. Lina Basquette was thrown from her horse at Columbia yesterday while working with Buck Jones in Born to Trouble, and was sent home to be treated for bruises.
Hollywood Divorce In the 30's
1/9/1931 LAX MIX DECLARED ONCE ACCUSED OF STEALING HORSE
Natches, Miss., 1/8 (AP)--The claim that Tom Mix was charged with stealing a 20-year-old horse named “bologny,” before Mix entered the movies was made by counsel for Col. Zach T. Miller, owner of the 101 Ranch Shows at trial today of a $50,000 breach of contract suit, brought by the showman against the actor.
Counsel for Miller said testimony would establish that Mix harbored malice against Miller, whom he believed responsible for the charge.
One of Mix’ divorced wives, Mrs. Olive Mix, testified to knowledge of the Mix-Miller contract. She told the court she did not know when they were divorced and “thought” the decree was granted in California.
TELEGRAMS READ
“Is a divorce so trivial you can’t remember it? Asked Mix’ lawyer.
“It was in my case,” replied the witness.
Telegrams purporting to have passed between the showman and the actor were introduced in which Mix said he would consider a salary of $10,000 weekly, but would require a private railroad car sufficient to accommodate “two horses, a Rolls-Royce automobile and an entourage of seven people.”
Sitting in the court room in doe-skin riding habit, Mix smiled broadly when he was quoted as saying in a telegram:
“I am not afraid of work, but I must have my comforts.”
1/16/1931 EE Jimmy Starr
Some months ago Mrs. Edward Sutherland startled staid (?) old Hollywood by giving a huge party at one of the exclusive supper clubs and announcing that the affair was a “divorce party”–she was through with her married life under the title of Mrs. Edward Sutherland.
The idea got quite a laugh from the social folk. Several matrons, also possessing separation ideas, considered doing the same stunt, but they lost their nerve.
Now I learn that the idea has been put in Among the Married, which Edgar Selwyn is directing for MGM.
There’s a whole sequence in the picture concerning the “divorce party.”
3/5/1931 EH DIXIE LEE, ‘BING’ CROSBY IN CLASH
Another Hollywood romance, that of Dixie Lee, film actress, and her husband, “Bing” Crosby, “crooning” singer of Gus Arnheim’s orchestra, today was “on the rocks,” according to Miss Lee’s admission that she and her husband were separated after six months of married life and that she will soon file a divorce suit against him, charging mental cruelty.
3/31/1931 LAX
Jocelyn Lee, film actress, yesterday sat in Superior Judge Sproul’s court and heard herself depicted as a red-headed fury, flying into rages when her whims were denied.
Today, or maybe tomorrow, Luther A. Reed, film director and writer, is scheduled to hear himself painted as a man possessed of a temper that caused him to punch his wife in the jaw.
It all has to do with the divorce trial which began yesterday and which will continue for several days. Reed began by accusing his wife of cruelty and told his story under the direction of attorney R.D. Knickerbocker.
The actress filed a counter suit asking that the divorce be awarded her on the ground of cruelty together with the custody of their two children. Celeste and Dana, and $2400 a month alimony. She was represented by Attorney A.I. McCormick.
The highlight of Reed’s story dealt with a trip to Agua Caliente and a bottle of perfume. It appeared that Reed and his wife plus a party of friends went to Caliente and became hilarious. Reed said his wife also became abusive.
“She wanted me to give her money to gable, and I didn’t have any,” he said. “She called me all sorts of names. She had a handful of dollar chips and she threw them in my face. The management made us leave the place and go to our room.”
The rumpus, said Reed, continued after they got to their room, and they were ousted from the hotel in the early morning hours. That is where the perfume came in. Reed said:
“She wanted a bottle of perfume. I didn’t have any money to buy one and she scratched my face till it bled. She said she’d get that perfume if it was the last thing she did. I had to call a policeman to help me.”
4/1/1931 LAX
Soft answers did not turn away the wrath of titian-haired Jocelyn Lee as she directed her fury against her husband, Luther Reed, film director and writer; on one occasion at Agua Caliente.
At least it was so testified yesterday in the contested divorce trial between the couple now in progress before Superior Judge Joseph P. Sproul. The telling was in behalf of Reed, who was seeking to show that his actress-wife had treated him cruelly. Previously, he testified to a party at the Mexican resort where he and his wife had been ejected from the hotel because of her asserted noisiness. To corroborate this, the house detective of the Mexican hotel took the witness stand.
‘I HEARD A RACKET’
“It must have been just before dawn I heard a racket coming from their room,” he said. “I heard a lot of crashing and it sounded as though somebody was getting killed. So down I went to the door, burst into the room.
“Mrs. Reed was standing at the foot of the bed and was just about to pitch a shoe at Mr. Reed, who was standing in the bathroom door. When I got a good look at Mr. Reed, I forgot all about the woman.
“Reed was unclothed, covered with blood from his head to his feet. ‘What’s the matter?’ I asked him. He said she had hit him with an ash tray, so I told him to wash up and both of them to get out. He started to pack and everytime he would pick up anything she would swear at him.”
HIS HONEYED WORDS
“And when she swore at him what to Reed do?”
“He was saying, ‘Honey, don’t do that,’ but that didn’t have any effect. She cussed him just the same.”
Bert Wheeler, film comedian, also put in his say in behalf of Reed. He had been a member of the party at Caliente, he said.
“She got made right out in the gambling room, and threw a handful of dollar chips into Reed’s face. It certainly was a mess. I saw him later in the day and his face looked like he had been clawed by a wildcat.”
Today Mrs. Reed may get a chance to tell her side of the story, provided Reed’s long list of witnesses finish testifying.
4/3/1931 LAX
Jocelyn Lee, red-haired film actress, yesterday recited to Superior Judge Joseph P. Sproul, in a crowded courtroom, the story of a hectic tug-of-war staged during a raid she made in the search of divorce evidence against Luther Reed, director.
The story was told at the trial of the contested divorce case, which has been in progress several days and which will be resumed today.
To come to the story of the house where the actress said she found her husband one night last November. She declared it was the home of a friend of Reed’s on King’s Road in Hollywood. Miss Lee had had a detective at work and he telephoned her that night that the stage was set and for her to come at once.
She testified:
“I went up to the window, where I heard my husband’s voice and someone kissing inside.
“I yanked open the screen and went through the window. I was so surprised at what I saw that I screamed. There was a girl there, and my husband. He began to chase me and the girl ran out of the room.
“I saw the girl’s clothes lying on the chair with some silk underwear. I made a dive for them and my husband grabbed them, too. He was pulling and I was pulling and then the owner of the house came into the room.
“When I left the house about an hour later, there were three girls sitting outside in a car. I don’t know whether one of them was the one with my husband or not. I’d never seen them before.”
6/19/1931 HDC W. CLARK GABLE, PICTURE ACTOR, REMARRIES WIFE
To strengthen marriage vows taken a year ago in an eastern city, William Clark Gable, actor, and the former Mrs. M. Franklin Langham, of New York, today were married before Justice of the Peace Kenneth L. Morrison in Santa Ana.
Mrs. Gable said that she married the actor on March 30, 1930, in an eastern city which she would not name.
At that time, she said, Mr. Gable’s divorce decree in California had not become final. It was anticipated that this would make no differences to their marriage vows, however, as they planned to live in the east.
Since then, Mrs. Gable said, her husband came to Hollywood and both planned to make their home here. On the advice of counsel they decided to remarry as they were acquiring community property.
Mrs. Gable said she was a New York divorcee and had lived there with a son and daughter three years ago.
Mr. Gable is a product of the New York stage. He came here to make his debut in motion pictures opposite Greta Garbo. He graduated from the Akron, O., University and went direct to vaudeville, later to become a successful New York stage actor.
The pair live at the Ravenswood Apartments, 570 North Rossmore Avenue.
6/23/1931 LAX UKULELE IKE WINS DIVORCE FOR ‘CRUELTY’
Clifton A. “Ukulele Ike” Edwards, film comedian, won the divorce and his wife, Irene, former actress, won the property settlement suit.
Thus ended the sensational suit yesterday, when Superior Judge Dailey S. Stafford, who had taken the case under advisement, handed down his decision, approving validity of the property settlement contract, made May 6, 1929, by which Mrs. Edwards received $100,000 and one-third of the future earnings of her husband.
The court granted Edwards the divorce on grounds of mental cruelty only, pointing out that there was nothing but a “strong suspicion” in the allegations of her misconduct with Austin J. “Skins” Young, blues singer.
Edwards had sought to establish that the contract by which he agreed to give his wife one-third of his future earnings was invalid.
Attorney T.B. Cosgrove represented Mrs. Edwards in court, while attorneys John M. Bowen and C.O. Bacon appeared as counsel for the plaintiff.
6/23/1931 LAX
Clifton A. “Ukulele Ike” Edwards, film comedian, won the divorce and his wife, Irene, former actress, won the property settlement suit.
Thus ended the sensational suit yesterday, when Superior Judge Daily S. Stafford, who had taken the case under advisement, handed down his decision, approving validity of the property settlement contract, made May 6, 1929, by which Mrs. Edwards received $100,000 and one-third of the future earnings of her husband.
AWARDS DECREE
The court granted Edwards the divorce on grounds of mental cruelty only, pointing out there was nothing but a “strong suspicion” in the allegations of her misconduct with Austin J. “Skins” Young, blues singer.
Edwards sought to establish that the contract by which he agreed to give his wife one-third of his future earnings was invalid.
Attorney T.B. Cosgrove represented Mrs. Edwards in court, while attorneys John M. Bowen and C.O. Bacon appeared as counsel for the plaintiff.
6/24/1931 LAX PAULINE STARKE DIVORCED, MENTAL CRUELTY CHARGED
Pauline Starke White became JUST Pauline Starke, film actress, again yesterday.
Granting her a divorce from Jack White, prominent motion picture producer, Superior Judge Dailey S. Stafford declared that White’s rejection of her affection constituted the highest form of mental cruelty. The decree was granted on the grounds of mental cruelty and desertion.
“Whenever I would approach my husband in an affectionate manner he would always repulse me,” she told the court. “He was always reminding me that he considered himself my mental superior.”
According to Superior Court records, White has been paying the actress $400 a month alimony pending hearing of the suit. The couple married in San Francisco September 4, 1927, and separated last January.
7/15/1931 EH GINGER ROGERS DIVORCES ACTOR
AP, DALLAS, 7/15
Ginger Rogers, RKO-Pathe star, and E.J. (Jack) Culpepper, Dallas vaudeville actor, have been divorced.
It was revealed yesterday the red-headed Fort Worth girl who gathered fame in Hollywood shortly after she won a Texas Charleston dancing championship, had been granted a decree by Judge Towne Young in District Court here Saturday.
Miss Rogers nee Virginia Katherine McMath, told a story of alleged abuse and misrepresentation on the part of her husband.
She said she married when she was 17, and without the consent of her mother, Mrs Lehla. Rogers.
"I married the defendant, relying on his representations that he was a sober, hard-working man, with theatrical connections and that he did not drink and could make a great actress out of me," she said.
She said they married in New Orleans, March 25, 1929.
7/17/1931 LAX
New York, 7/16--When the Twentieth Century rolled into Grand Central Station today, who should be on board but Constance Bennett and the Marquis de la Falaise de la Coudrale.
Mrs. Richard Bennett, Connie’s mother, was at the station to meet her. But there were a lot of reporters there, too.
“Are you going to marry the Marquis?” one of the reporters asked.
“It would be very bad taste to say anything about that, now,” said the movie actress. “The Marquis has not even got his divorce.”
8/27/1931 LAX Louella O. Parsons
The latest Hollywood romance is Miriam Hopkins and Dudley Murphy. They are seen constantly at the beach swimming and walking together. Miss Hopkins recently separated from Austin Parker, but so far there has been no divorce.
9/14/1931 LAR GRANT WITHERS FACES ARREST
When Grant Withers, motion picture actor, steps off the train upon arrival here from New York, he will be met by a deputy sheriff with a warrant for his arrest.
Deputy City Prosecutor Dorothy Garland has issued a complaint charging the actor with failing to provide for his 10-year-old son, Robert. Mrs. Inez Withers, mother of the child and Wither’s first wife, swore to the complaint.
Loretta Young, actress, his second wife, has filed suit for divorce.
9/17/1931 LAR SCREEN STAR MISSES SUIT
Dolores Del Rio, Mexican film star, escaped being named co-respondent in a divorce suit
Labels: Al Jolson, Jack Oakie, Lee Tracy, Norman McLeod
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