“The Amazing Mr. Williams,” “Sued For Libel” (Movie Reviews-1/19/40)

Microfiche-New York Times archives, Cabrillo College Library | 1/19/40 | Frank S. Nugent, B.R.C.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents World War II Plus 70 Years: Seminar and Discussion Forum
First session: September 1, 2009. Last date to add: September 2, 2015.
Reading assignment: New York Times articles delivered daily to students on the 70th anniversary of original publication date. (Previously posted articles can be found by searching on keyword “realtime” Or view Homer’s posting history .)
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by freepmail. Those on the Realtime +/- 70 Years ping list are automatically enrolled. Course description, prerequisites and tuition information is available at the bottom of Homer’s profile.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Obscure movie ping.

[MinuteGal]

PAULINE FLAILS AROUND AS A LOCOMOTIVE SPEEDS TOWARD THE TRACKS WHERE SHE IS TIED.........ohhhhhh...the horror!

I love scouring these articles for interesting little tidbits. Pearl White's will leaving $150 a month to her father caught my eye and my curiosity.

Pearl was famous in silent movie days (early 20's) for her portrayals of the heroine in the "Perils of Pauline" serial movies. She played a sweet young that was always in imminent mortal danger from various perils dramatically sprinkled through every serial chapter. The audiences loved her.

She made a lot of money, and unlike many stars of the era, she weathered the Depression without problems. However, she died from cirrhosis of the liver at age 49 plagued with medicinal drugs and alcohol addictions.

Her mother died young. Pearl was raised on a scraggy heartland farm by an overly-strict father. Maybe that's the reason she was niggardly to him in his will. Part of her estate went to various charities for hard-up ex-show biz people, while most of it went to her long-time wealthy Greek lover with whom she had travelled the world for years.

Well, maybe $150 bucks was big money to her father in 1938. The Depression was still on.

It may be that "Pauline's" greatest Peril from which she could never escape was......herself.

Leni

[PAR35]

Per the BLS inflation calculator, $150 in 1940 would be about $2,298.61 in 2009 dollars. It probably looked like big money to a dirt farmer.