Ross Alexander draws on a blackboard as he is watched by Charles Ostrom, Los Angeles, 1935

Item Overview

Title

Ross Alexander draws on a blackboard as he is watched by Charles Ostrom, Los Angeles, 1935

Date Created

December 12, 1935

Date

1935-12-12

Publisher

Los Angeles Times

Language

No linguistic content

Collection

Los Angeles Times Photographic Collection

Notes

Description

Alexander draws on a blackboard what appears to be a layout of his home and the scene of his wife's death, while Commissioner Ostrom watches.
The late Mrs. Alexander was frustrated over several failed screen tests she had taken, which provoked a fight with her husband that culminated in two self-inflicted gunshot wounds to the head. She died the following day at the Cedars of Lebanon Hospital. Alexander's business manager Vernon D. Wood called to deliver the message to Mrs. Alexander's father.
Similar photograph appears with the article, "Actor Tells Wife Death," Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec 1935: A1.

Caption

Handwritten on negative: L2R Chas W. Ostrom Ross Alexander 12-12-35
Text from negative sleeve: 4027 - Vernon D. Wood (Biz Mgr of Ross) Ross Alexander (actor husband) Dr Wm Friele (father) Chas W. Ostrom (police comm.) Det Lt Saunderson Inquest (Aleta Freile ie? Alexander shooting) 12-12-35

Physical Description

Extent

1 photograph

Medium

b&w nitrate negative

Keywords

Genre

cellulose nitrate film
news photographs

Names

Alexander, Ross, 1907-1937
Ostrom, Charles

Location

Los Angeles (Calif.)

Resource type

still image

Subjects

Widows
Actors--American--California--Los Angeles
Blackboards
Courtrooms--California--Los Angeles