SUICIDE OF DIRECTOR.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18777, 27 October 1932, Page 4

SUICIDE OF DIRECTOR.

PARTICULARS BY MAIL. DOCTOR’B SURPRISING CABLE. NEW YORK, Sept 8. A new development in the mystery surrounding the death of Mr Paul Bern, the film director and husband of Miss Jean Harlow, the famous platinum blonde, who was found shot at his home at Beverly Ilills, Hollywood, on Monday, was the receipt of a cablefrom his doctor, who is in Honolulu, stating that he can explain the affair. “ I understand the motive, and will leave at once to testify for you and Miss Harlow if necessary." Tills Is the sensational message sent by Mr Bern’s physician, Dr. Edward Jones, to Mr Louis Mayer, of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Company, by whom the dead man was employed. Dr. Jones, who cabled* from Honolulu, does not amplify his message, which offers to throw light on Mr Brn’s strange death, except to say that he suffered from acute melancholia. The police report that the film chief left a second note which, they state, Is more intimate and enlightening than his note to his wife already published, in which he said he had done her a “ frightful wrong.” Miss Harlow is' at her mother’s home in a state of collapse. She jumped out of bed last night and ran towards the balcony as though determined to throw herself out of the window. Her nurse seized her, however, and gave sedatives. Detectives’ Puzzle. Detectives Investigating Mr Bern’s death are confronted with conflicting statements-by members of the household. The butler, Carmichael, says that Mr Bern and his wife dined alone on Saturday night. The chauffeur says he drove Mr Bern Into Los Angeles and returned with him at 10.30 p.m. Neighbours report having heard a motor-car being driven from the house at about the time Mr Bern is supposed to have shot himself. Some friends of the couple say they never quarrelled, while others say they disagreed violently because Miss Harlow wished to sell the luxurious home her husband gave her as* a wedding gift. Dr. Frank Webb, who performed the autopsy said: Mr Bern’s death was due to a typical suicide wound. My examination revealed no acute disease. ■ Unknown Blonde. Mr Bern mot Miss Harlow three years ago, when the platinum blonde from Kansas City was unknown. Friends quote him as saying:— “ Jean never used my friendship to forward her oareer. She wanted to make good on her ability alone. She Is childlike and has no Inhibitions, but she Is honest and will face anything." Mr John Glbert, the film actor, states that Mr Bern attempted suicide when Miss Barbara La Marr died. She was one of the several film stars befriended by him in the days of'their adversity. Another friend of Mr Bern writes:— " Undoubtedly Jean had her difficulties as Mrs Bern. Paul was erratic and sometimes hard ,to understand. She was eager to succeed as an actress and was probably going through a phase as trying for her as it was for her husband.” Mr, Edwin Bernays, another lifelong friend ofthe dead man, said: “ Paul was an idealist. When he met and married Miss Harlow he may have encountered realism for the first time. The clash was probably too muoh for him, and his suloide was what the psychologists call his escape f£om reality." His Courtship. Describing his courtship of the brilliant film star a friend of 'his quoted Mr Bern as saying that he and Jean went out a lot together. Then one evening, Mr Bern related: “ Jean was sitting on my knee. 1 said to her, ‘We cannot go on like this.’ Jean said, ‘ What do you mean? ’ and I answered, .‘I want you to marry me.’ That is how we became engaged.” The suicide note was written In the thirteenth page of a morocco-bound guest book In which the famous stars wrote friendly messages to Mr Bern when visiting his home. One page bore a sketoh of Miss Greta Garbo and was signed "June Inverclyde."