Last night, I watched one of the documentaries on Old Hollywood I had recorded. It covered the murder of film director William Desmond Taylor who was shot 
and killed in his home in 1922. It’s still an open case even though it happened 86 years ago. The most likely suspect was Charlotte Shelby, mother of actress Mary Miles Minter. Shelby was known for threatening people with her gun, hat pins, and letter openers. And her gun was the right caliber. She thought Taylor was making the moves on her “innocent” daughter despite being almost three times Mary’s age. That would have been highly unlikely as it turns out Taylor was gay (though that wasn’t acknowledged publicly for years). There may be more up-to-date info now, though. i’m not sure how old the show I watched is. Anyway, the scandal of Taylor’s murder brought out details of various people’s lives and ruined their careers, primarily Mary Miles Minter and Mabel Normand who Taylor had helped to beat her drug addiction. Of course, scandals like these would be small potatoes today, but back then? Studio executives did everything in their considerable power to hush things up. Up to and including bribing the district attorney and the cops.
Tonight we have five hours of Ghost Hunters. At first, I thought I’d seen all of them, but there may be a couple I haven’t seen. They don’t sound familiar, anyway. And there’s a new show on the Travel Channel called Travel Fact or Fiction which looks like it could be interesting.
I’ve been watching Totally 80s on VH1 Classic this morning. One video was Cuts Like a Knife by Bryan Adams. And I thought, “Wow. He looks so young!” But then I guess all of us were back then. 
Anyway, getting back to the show I watched last night, it gave me some ideas of things I can work into the manuscript of my fictional murder mystery. And it also helped me figure out where my heroine’s parents live. *g*
Reading: I’d intended to read Deja Demon last night, but my hands were bugging me so much I couldn’t cope with holding a trade paperback. So I finished up Styx and Stones by Carola Dunn instead.
I LOVE “I Love the 80s”…
The were discussing “sniglets” the other night. I had the sniglet book and used words like “ecnalubma” and “elecelleration” on a regular basis. Dang, I was cool. I had a Members Only jacket and Kangaroo shoes, too.
Comment by Marianne — June 25, 2008 @ 12:14 pm
I love the stories of the old Hollywood and how they “saved” their stars from public downfall. In some cases they were ingenious in how they did it.
Comment by Dru — June 25, 2008 @ 12:36 pm
It’s always interesting to hear tidbits of old Hollywood cases. Thanks for sharing that!
Sorry your hands were bothering you, I hope they are feeling better today.
Have a pleasant afternoon!
Comment by Brandy — June 25, 2008 @ 1:17 pm
The Taylor case is fascinating – I have toyed with using it as the basis for a mystery plot (not exactly the same as the actual case, but partaking if it). There is at least one good book on it, too.
I gather that a writer called Joan Myers is writing a book on the Arbuckle case, but i don’t think it is out yet. I can’t wait.
Comment by Lidian — June 25, 2008 @ 2:58 pm
so where DO your heroine’s parents live???
Comment by kacey — June 25, 2008 @ 4:31 pm
I love when shows spark ideas.
Comment by Amy — June 26, 2008 @ 2:44 pm