Photograph was edited for publication purposes. Barbara Burns was the daughter of famed American comedian Robin "Bob" Burns. He was a musical comedian appearing on radio and in movies in the 1930s and 1940s, and also wrote a homey newspaper column from 1936-1940. Burns invented a novelty musical instrument which he called a "bazooka." During World War II, the Army's handheld anti-tank rocket launcher, also known as "stovepipe" was nicknamed the "bazooka." He had four children and died in 1956. Barbara Burns was a troubled teenager who began using hard drugs by the time she was eighteen. She attempted suicide several times and finally died of an overdose in January 1962. Photograph caption dated August 28, 1961 reads "Her trial on charge of possession of narcotics is delayed due to illness of defense witness." She is seated, holding one hand up to her hair.
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;26 x 21 cm. Photographic prints
Burns, Bob,--1890-1956--Family Burns, Bob,--1890-1956--Family--Trials, litigation, etc Children of celebrities--United States Crime--California--Los Angeles Criminals--California--Los Angeles Narcotic habit--California--Los Angeles Drug abuse--California--Los Angeles Women--California--Los Angeles Portrait photographs Los Angeles Evening Herald Express photographs Herald-Examiner Collection photographs
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