LOSS THROUGH TALKIES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18900, 30 December 1935, Page 13

LOSS THROUGH TALKIES

INVENTOR’S SUICIDE EVIDENCE AT INQUEST LONDON, Nov. 4. Mr. Ludwig Blattner, the inventor of the sound-recording apparatus bearing his name, who hanged Himself at an Elstree country club, was living on his savings, and was depressed' owing to the illness of his wife and daughter. He was 54 and had been receiving medical treatment, for a generally run down, nervous condition. These facts were mentioned at tin inquest at Elstree, Herts, yesterday, when a. verdict, of suicide while temporarily insane was returned. Gerard Blattner said that in 1927 hitfather formed a film company, ot which lie was managing director, and had studios at Boreham Wood. V hen talking pictures came into use lie suffered heavy financial loss, and the company had since been wound up. 'Replying to the coroner, Mr. I!. A. Godnian, Mr. Gerard Blattner said that his father was worried because he had been an active man, and had to give up. Colin Anderson, a student living at the dub, said that on Tuesday he returned to the club with Mrs. Blattner, who had been visiting her daughter in hospital. They could get no answer, and ho climbed a drainpipe to Mr! I flat t - iu-v’s bedroom window. He continued:— ‘■Through a gap in the curtains 1 saw a reflection of Mr. Blattner’s head in the wardrobe mirror. I imagined that lie had fainted. I could not get through the window, so I climbed across the roof to another window, f found Mr. Bla liner suspended hv a pyjama cord in (he wardrobe.

“Ills feet were just touching the floor. 1 applied artificial respiration, but there was no response.’’ Dr. Erie Kave, of Boreham Wood,' who had attended Mr. Blattner during the last 18 months, said that recently his condition had /.improved, and he seemed much more cheerful. "About last November,” Dr. Kaye continued, “lie was constantly saying that he did not see. much hope in (lie future, hut lately he seemed very much less depressed.’