Death Of Doug. Fairbanks

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 23, 27 January 1940, Page 5 (Supplement)

Death Of Doug. Fairbanks

ON December 14 the body of Douglas Fairbanks, who had died the previous day, lay on a huge carved bed in his Santa Monica home while Hollywood's famous tiptoed past. In front of the bed lay the actor's massive bulldog, Marco Polo, guarding his master and ignoring all callers. Ho had refused food and water since [ Fairbanks died and remained inconso- ' 'lable. The great bedroom was banked with flowers sent by every famous actor and actress in the United States, and some : not so famous. ' Callers included Norma Shearer, Ronald Colman, Robert Montgomery, 5 Herbert Marshall, Samuel Goldwyn, ; Myrna Loy, Herbert Wilcox, Anna t Neagle and a long line of others — owners of practically every glittering name in the film industry. Outside the house, guards kept back I a crowd who had motored out from Los Angeles.

Mrs. Fairbanks, the former Lady Ashley, suffered from shock, but she gave instructions that the funeral must be private and simple. She said tier husband wished it that way and anything in the nature of Valentino or Jean Harlow funerals was to be avoided. Douglas Fairbanks, jun., the actor's son, and Clarence Erickson, his manager, were in charge of all arrangements. They indicated that only the closest friendu of Doug's would be admitted to the private service at the Wee Kirk o' Heather in the Forest Memorial Lawn Park. Guards were stationed outside the cemetery to prevent the mob scenes which have characterised so main' Hollywood funerals. A group of youths and girls carrying black posters bearing the words: "Robin Hood is dead," "D'Artagnan idead,*' "The Thief of Bagdad is dead/ 1 in white letters, were turned away fror: the gates of the house. Fairbanks the man who lived n swashbuckling and ostentatious life, had always wanted to die in peace.