SEEN IN MIRROR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 307, 28 December 1935, Page 4 (Supplement)

SEEN IN MIRROR.

DEAD MAN'S IMAGE

THROUGH CURTAIN GAP.

TRAGEDY AT ELSTREE

A head reflected in a mirror, glimpsed through a gap in curtains, led to the discovery of the death of Ludwig Blattner (54), it was revealed at the Llstree inquest. Mr. Blattner, after whom is named the Blattuerphone sound recording apparatus, a pioneer in the film world, was found hanged at a country club in the village where he had been living. Suicide while of unsound mind was the verdict. , His 20-year-old daughter,- Betty, was seriously ill in Middlesex Hospital. Mrs. Blattner and her son, who is a film studio manager, had been to visit her. Hit by Talkies. Gerard Blattner- said in 1027 hie father formed a film company of which lie was managing director and he had studios at Boreham Wood. When the talkies came into genera] use his father's business with silent pictures was affected and he suffered heavy financial loss. Mr. Blattner added that his father had been receiving medical treatment for some time, because he wart in a generally run down, nervous condition. His father was not earning anything and had no income other than the money which he had saved. Colin Anderson, a student living at the club, said he returned to the club with Mr 6. Blattner, who had been visiting a daughter. They could get n 0 answer and the door seemed to be locked on. the inside, so he climbed a drainpipe to the bedroom window. "Through a gap in the curtains," he said, "I saw a reflection of Mr. Blattner's head in the wardrobe mirror. I imagined he had fainted. I could not get through the window, so I climbed across the roof to another window leading to the bedroom." Philip Henry Graham Beasley, an R.A.F. pilot-officer, living at the club, said he met Mr. Blattner for the first time about four weeks ago. Two Hours Later. "I had talked with him and played occasional games of cards with him," witness said. "He always struck me as being a very charming and pleasant person to talk to. He did not strike me as being in any way embarrassed or worried.

"On Tuesday afternoon I saw Mr. Blattner going towards Boreham Wood at about two p'clock. He returned soon afterwards and I asked him if he would eare to have a game of cards. During the game Vie seemed preoccupied. We played until six o'clock and then he turned on the wireles« to listen to the news. About eight o'clock I was called and went into Mr. Blattner's bedroom. . . "

Dr. Eric Kayo, of Boreham Wood, said he had attended Mr. Blattner during th' 3 last 18 months for hie nervous condition more than anything. Recently he had improved a lot and seemed much more cheerful.