Lizzie Borden Society Forum

One of my interests is silent films and stars. I came across a piece written by Denise Noe on Crime Library about the murder of William Desmond Taylor and found it to be another very interesting and mysterious case. I got a book called "A cast of Killers" by Sidney Kirkpatrick about the crime which he says King Vidor felt he solved years later, but, like the Borden case, probably never will be. Does anyone else have an interest in this case?

I once read a book about Thelma Todd, a popular comedienne of the 1930s who died young. The book "Hot Toddy" explains this as a murder, not a suicide (coroner's verdict). That's about as far back as I want to go.

Hollywood was always full of sex, drugs, and scandal because of its show-business milieu. Or at least its not covered up as in other areas (business, government, etc.).

Lessee... The Taylor case... That's the one - Charlotte Shelby, Mary Miles Minter were alleged to have been connected to - or actually were I suppose, insofar as the case itself is concerned? A "locked door" affair? Too many dust bunnies in ye olde attic, but I think that's right.

"A Cast of Killers" is one of my favorite true crime books. If only we could get our hands on King Vidor's actual notes on the case!
Charlotte Shelby comes across as looking like a true monster, not to mention the ultimate stage mother.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

That's a fascinating case.

That is definitely a fascinating case. It also goes to show just how little actresses can resemble the roles they play on screen in real life.
I have read books on this case and the Thelma Todd suicide/murder as well. This would make an pretty interesting discussion.

I've just about finished the book on William Desmond Taylor and am enjoying it immensely. I'm going to get the Todd book next.

Which book are you reading aboutr the Taylor affair? I loved it when the studio planted Mary Miles Minter's silky monogrammed knickers in Desmond's drawer! I think her Mother was a real pip too. What a case!

Shelley @ Fri Sep 08, 2006 10:22 pm wrote:Which book are you reading aboutr the Taylor affair? I loved it when the studio planted Mary Miles Minter's silky monogrammed knickers in Desmond's drawer! I think her Mother was a real pip too. What a case!

A Cast of Killers" by Sidney Kirkpatrick.

Angel @ Fri Sep 01, 2006 6:38 am wrote:One of my interests is silent films and stars. I came across a piece written by Denise Noe on Crime Library about the murder of William Desmond Taylor and found it to be another very interesting and mysterious case. I got a book called "A cast of Killers" by Sidney Kirkpatrick about the crime which he says King Vidor felt he solved years later, but, like the Borden case, probably never will be. Does anyone else have an interest in this case?

Did someone say "Silent Films?"

I liked "A Cast Of Killers" but there is another book about the Taylor case I feel is better called, "A Deed Of Death" by Robert Giroux. I enjoyed this one more. It has a funny photo of Charlie Chaplin and Mabel Normand on a motorcycle that cracks me up everytime I look at it. It goes into more detail. Very interesting book. It was such a shame the way the media blasted MMM and Mabel.

Biography had a 2 hour program this past Monday on the Desmond/Arbuckle cases. MMM's Mom carried a .38, same caliber that was used to kill Desmond. She was a hot head and my number 1 suspect. Mabel wouldn't have hurt a fly and had no reason to kill Desmond. Talk about a smear job!

It is a real good book, Angel. You will like it.

-1bigsteve (o:

You heard the words "Silent Films" and came back from wayfarawaywhereveryouwere? Wow!
Is that all it took?
Oh yes, and a new spiffy computer!
Nice to hear from you again, welcome back!

[quote="1bigsteve @ Sat Sep 23, 2006 1:14 am
Did someone say "Silent Films?"

I liked "A Cast Of Killers" but there is another book about the Taylor case I feel is better called, "A Deed Of Death" by Robert Giroux. I enjoyed this one more. It has a funny photo of Charlie Chaplin and Mabel Normand on a motorcycle that cracks me up everytime I look at it. It goes into more detail. Very interesting book. It was such a shame the way the media blasted MMM and Mabel.
Biography had a 2 hour program this past Monday on the Desmond/Arbuckle cases. MMM's Mom carried a .38, same caliber that was used to kill Desmond. She was a hot head and my number 1 suspect. Mabel wouldn't have hurt a fly and had no reason to kill Desmond. Talk about a smear job!
It is a real good book, Angel. You will like it.
-1bigsteve (o:[/quote]



Thanks. I will definitely check that one out.
I am so sorry I missed that program on TV. Hopefully, they will repeat it.
Right now I'm reading "The parade's Gone By" by Kevin Brownlow, which talks about the silent era. Very interesting.

Kat @ Fri Sep 22, 2006 11:34 pm wrote:You heard the words "Silent Films" and came back from wayfarawaywhereveryouwere? Wow!
Is that all it took?
Oh yes, and a new spiffy computer!
Nice to hear from you again, welcome back!

Thanks, Kat. It feels good to be back online. This computer is a dream but took awhile to set up. I still have some settings to perfect but I'm rolling now.

I saw Lon Chaney last night in "The Unknown" from 1927. What a sad, strange movie. Channel 501 has what they call "Sunday Night Silents." I guess you know where I am on Sunday evenings.

-1bigsteve (o:

"The Parade's Gone By" is a good book, Angel. Let me know what you think when you get to the story of the box lunch. I thought that was awfully sad.

Kevin Brownlow wrote a lot on Louise Brooks. I saw her in her "Jack the Ripper" film a few years ago. Barry Paris wrote a thick book on her life.

-1bigsteve (o:

1bigsteve @ Mon Oct 02, 2006 10:50 am wrote:"The Parade's Gone By" is a good book, Angel. Let me know what you think when you get to the story of the box lunch. I thought that was awfully sad.

Kevin Brownlow wrote a lot on Louise Brooks. I saw her in her "Jack the Ripper" film a few years ago. Barry Paris wrote a thick book on her life.
-1bigsteve (o:

Are you talking about the lunch that the studio provided the extras and the man who separated himself from the others so he could hand half of it to his wife through the fence because they were so hungry?

I'm reading the Brownlow one and "Hot Toddy" (the one about the Thelma Todd murder) at the same time, so I'm going slower than usual. Plus I am in the middle of a massive floor tiling project at home, so that is making it go slower still. I did order the Giroux book though Amazon and am waiting for it to come.

I didn't find the Giroux book as compelling as Kirkpatrick's. The irony is that Robert Giroux was interviewed by Vidor, and appears in the Kirkpatrick book. Looks like I'll have to dig through the shelves and reread the Giroux.
My favorite book on the movies is "A Song In The Dark," which is about the first musicals and the transitions the studios went through with the advent of sound. Great book.

That's the story Angel. I thought it was so sad that people have to get that hungry. There are two things that I hate to see people go through more than anything else. Pain and Hunger. It really touched me when I read that story. That was probably the only meal they had all day. If he had not shared his lunch with his wife she would have gone without. Many years ago I took my whole family to Yosemite and one evening as we were finishing up our pizza I could hear a young couple to my left whispering that they didn't have enough money to get something to eat. We had a half of a large pizza left over. I made eye contact with my sister and she quickly picked up on the situation and offered the couple the remaining slices as we were leaving. Their faces lit up with gratitude and as I looked back through the window they were wolfing it down like they hadn't eaten in a year.

I think you will like "A Deed of Death." Check out the photo of Charlie Chaplin and Mabel Normand on that motorcycle. The looks on their faces. That's a classic. It cracks me up.

I read "Hot Toddy" and enjoyed it. I think Thelma was hit. She told the Mob to go stick it and paid the price. The Mob dosen't always place a .22 slug in your head.

-1bigsteve (o:

1bigsteve @ Mon Oct 02, 2006 11:15 pm wrote:I
I read "Hot Toddy" and enjoyed it. I think Thelma was hit. She told the Mob to go stick it and paid the price. The Mob dosen't always place a .22 slug in your head.-1bigsteve (o:

Oh, I do too. Everyone said she was outgoing, enjoying life, and had a lot going for her at the time. Plus, no one gets that beat up and bloodied simply by falling forward onto a steering wheel.

I like your Lon Chaney - Mary Philbin avatar, Angel. Cool.

-1bigsteve (o:

thanks!