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Photograph was edited for publication purposes Spade Cooley, born Donnel Clyde Cooley, was a Western Swing musician and band leader best known for his hit, 'Shame on You.' In addition to his music career, Cooley appeared in several Western films and hosted a television variety show, 'The Hoffman Hayride' also known as 'The Spade Cooley Show' which was broadcasted on KTLA from the Santa Monica Pier Ballroom. In 1961, Cooley was convicted for the murder of his second wife, Ella Mae Cooley and sentenced to life in prison. Photograph article dated April 13, 1961 partially reads, "William S. Lewis, North Hollywood detective who says he can prove western star Spade Cooley innocent of murder...Lewis owns a tape recording of phone conversations between Cooley, Cooley's wife, Ella Mae, and himself. The taped conversation was made the weekend before Mrs. Cooley was found dead. An inquest into her death April 3 in Antelope Valley was being held today in Bakersfield. 'Spade and I are good friends,' Lewis said while sitting in the study of his home, 5222 Goodland Ave. A framed photograph was in front of him with the inscription: 'Best wishes to Billy and Helen from your old pal, Spade Cooley.'"
Type
Image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;26 x 21 cm. Photographic prints
Cooley, Spade,--1910-1969--Trials, litigation, etc Trials (Murder)--California--Los Angeles Detectives--California--Los Angeles Men--California--Los Angeles Smoking--California--Los Angeles Newspapers North Hollywood (Los Angeles, Calif.) Valley Times Collection photographs
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