Originally, I wasn't ever going to write about anything having to do with Hollywood and what I personally have studied regarding its history but this past Monday while working at one of the residential centers that I oversee a few of the residents were watching the Turner Classic Movie channel which was having a day/night long showing of actress Thelma Todd's comedy shorts with co-stars Zasu Pitts and Patsy Kelly, as well as her films with the Marx Brothers and Laurel & Hardy. I've always loved Miss Todd for the actress and comedienne she was, and have always felt that she hadda natural beauty about her that most of the other blonde actresses of her era did not have. In addition, she was also an astute businessperson and a woman who stood up against those who attempted to intimidate her in an era when women's rights both in Hollywood and beyond were practically non-existent when compared to today's modern standards.
There have been countless books and articles written about her over the years, not just regarding her successful career, but most notably for her mysterious death which took place on December 16, 1935. Even though her death was ruled as a case of "accidental carbon monoxide poisoning" because of the way her body was found - in a sealed garage, body slumped over the wheel, and the car allegedly running - there is more than one theory of what really happened to her. The original theory was that she committed suicide but everyone who knew her at the time said "No way" and I have to agree with them - she was not only a very accomplished actress at the time of her death, but also climbing new heights in her career and plus her restaurant in Pacific Palisades, the Sidewalk Cafe, was just as much a huge success as was her film career. Realistically speaking, we are talking about a woman who's career woulda gone even much farther than it did had she not died. No, this isn't speculation. There's not one reason to believe that she wasn't murdered. When they found her body, it wasnt the typical suicide death scene via gassing oneself to death - her body wasnt totally bluish and there were unexplained marks on certain parts of her body as if she had been involved in some kind of struggle - indeed, she had. Apparently, someone beat the shit out of her till she was unconscius and by the time she woke up it was too late, her body already ingested large amounts of the poisoning that was allegedly the cause of her final minutes alive.
There are three theories of how this happened. First, there was an intense argument between her current lover and business partner at the time, former film director Roland West, as well as husband of former silent siren Jewel Carmen, and herself - theoretically, the fight went from verbal to physical, he knocked her out, thought she was dead and panicked at first and then was aided by Jewel Carmen in setting up Thelma's body to make it look like a suicide. Second, an intense argument broke out between her and ex-husband, actor Pat DiCicco (and alleged mob thug) with the end result being what happened in the previous scenario. The third and final theory, which I personally believe to be what really happened, just my opinion - is that when mobster Lucky Luciano and a few of his thugs wanted to buy her restaurant with the intention of turning it into a casino/nightclub, and she told them to go to hell, they didnt like it. They approached her more than once and she refused to back down; and, in the long run, it cost her her life. I believe the answers are hidden in the aftermath of her death but please, by all means you're all extremely welcomed to research this further if you are so inclined. The following are not intended in any particular order, just the basic facts.
First, after Thelma's death, with the exception of Bugsy Siegel's involved in the film industry, you didnt really hear of any further mob dealings in the film industry period. Oh, I'm more than certain there were because one didnt have to hear about a murder to know that mobsters and their kind were lurking around in those days. But isn't it kind of strange that all such dealings appeared to disappear for a a coupla years or longer after her death? In addition, if the mob was indeed not guilty, then why didnt they go ahead and purchase her Sidewalk Cafe from Roland West after her death? Nothing ever came of their interest in the property after her death, kinda suspicious if you ask me.
Second, Hal Roach was one of the most respected directors/producers of his era and his studios were highly regarded in the film industry, as well as his keen sense of knowing which actors and actresses in his domain would be huge hits with audiences. In practically every case of any actors/actresses dying before their most recent film was released, both before Thelma's death in 1935, as well as after 1935, the studios went ahead and relased those films. But, for some unknown reason, Thelma Todd was the exception. Her last film "The Bohemian Girl" (1936), a Laurel & Hardy vehicle, would've been even better had Hal Roach not edited out and deleted every single one of her scenes and dialogue, with the exception of one musical number. Everyone who worked with her on that film, especially Roach himself, knew that her contributions to it would make it a huge hit. In fact, in her day, Thelma Todd and regular co-star Patsy Kelly were labled "The Female Laurel & Hardy" of their era. Some people have gone to say that "Everyone loved Thelma so much and it would be just too heartbreaking for her audiences to see her in a film after her death." What? Although Thelma's career was starting to soar to new heights at the time of her death, she was also by that time what was considered a seasoned, accomplished actress, very dedicated to her abilities as well as very professional - she would've wanted that film to be presented as is. Nobody was pressuring Hal Roach to edit that film and thus sweep public attention away from Thelma Todd and her demise; well, at least no one in the film industry was pressuring him, that much can be said.
Third, though most of us in the LGBT community have justifiably claimed Patsy Kelly as one of our own, due to the fact that she was an open lesbian ahead of her time, as well as the lover of actress Tallulah Bankhead, long before any of those details of her life were made public, she was a very well-loved comedienne/actress of the 1930's. Thelma Todd and her starred in a ton of comedy shorts for Roach during those years, yet when Thelma was found dead, one heard of how sad and upset Patsy was and that was it. Nothing. Not even years after Kelly's career was over, she very rarely mentioned anything about Thelma. I think it's kinda odd - okay, downright suspicious - that someone who was not just Todd's co-star but an actual friend too, didn't say a whole lot about what happened. You dont work with someone as closely as those two did and not have some idea of what was going on in the other's personal life, it's virtually impossible. Just as with Roach, I think Patsy knew exactly what was going on in Thelma's life and like Roach, I think that she too was pressured to keep her mouth shut. Just sweep everything under the rug and act as if Thelma Todd's death never happened, act as if she never existed.
Personally, I do indeed believe that Thelma Todd was murdered and I do indeed believe that it was the mob, mafia, whatever you choose to call them, who were responsible for her death. Aside from pinpointing what I believe to be the true theory of how she died, the only other way to prove it is by a method that I dont think can be used due to the fact that her remains were cremated after her death - modern forensics. As morbid as it may sound, if her body could have been exhumed and investigated with the modern technology we have today, I'll bet my bottom dollar that not only would they discover what really, truly happened to her, I'll go even further to bet that the aforementioned theory, without a shadow of a doubt, is the full and absolute truth.
Why do I think it's important to write about her death in the year 2010? Y'all already know the answer to that question - when innocent people are harmed, and they themselves arent harming others, I gotta major problem with that. I think what happened to Thelma Todd was more than wrong. After all these years, I think the fact that not one single author, not one single crime investigator, has definitely pinpointed what caused her death is highly suspicious and if anyone thinks it because of the vast choices of theories out there, uh uh, that's not it. Personally, I think there is someone out there who knows, but they are keeping their mouthes shut because we all know what an intricate society the mob was back then and still is today. But, I wanna take this one step further - I dont think the person who knows the truth is any smarter than any of us, I think they are just playing dumb and quiet because you dont have to watch a cable tv series to know how anally retentive the modern mob is regarding the issue of betrayal.
It's been claimed, in more than one television and/or science fiction program that at one time there was what appeared to be a female ghost haunting the buildings and grounds of what was Thelma Todd's former restaurant in Pacific Palisades. I havent viewed any of those shows myself so I dont know if there is even the slighest truth to any of that, regardless if one believes in ghosts and the paranormal or not. Personally, I would hope that if she ever indeed was a ghost that she has gone onward to find final peace; but, let's look at the other side of the coin, if anyone does indeed have the right to not be at peace, it's definitely Thelma Todd. Hypothetically, try to put yourself in her shoes -wouldnt you be somewhat pissed off about what happened and want to expose the truth as well? Keep an open mind and take a moment to imagine what anyone in that situation would say "Oh my God, what the hell just happened here??? This isn't suppose to be happening, everything was going so damn good...." In that hypothetical scenario, it's quite easy to imagine how anyone would become extremely p.o.'ed and even demand justice for the wrong that was committed against him/her. I dont think it's crazy or unrealistic, I think it's just common sense.
A few days ago, a good friend of mine posted a song called "Old Folks" from the stage production "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris"which I found to be one of the most emotionally moving songs I have heard in a long, long time. To me, it represents how elderly people worldwide must feel - and in most cases, do indeed feel - about growing older and how the rest of the world views, as well as regards, them. I recommend everyone out there to give it a listen because I feel it's an extremely impressive piece of music. In addition to the Thelma Todd film festival I viewed in bits-n-pieces earlier this week, this song made me think of Thelma, and not just a little but a lot. She never got the chance to grow older, to see how much further her career would've gone, to reach her full potential as a human being, to experience a full lifetime of memories and experiences like the rest of us. I suppose those who listen to the music and think about what I've written here today may say "Hey, thank goodness she never had the chance to grow old, that she died fairly young and beautiful." I dont think Thelma woulda looked at it that way, I like to believe that she would look at life like some of us who are alive today do - that even with growing older, life is precious and lets just be thankful that we have the opportunity to live it. I'll never forget you Thelma and as long as I'm around, future generations wont either. Thank you for reading.
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