Photograph was edited for publication purposes and has small white spots in various places. 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 June 5, 1958 reads "Charges police promised immunity for her if she would implicate David Mack in narcotics case." Burns is sitting next to her attorney dabbing one eye with a handkerchief. Mack and Burns were married the previous April. Both were facing narcotics charges.
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Image
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1 photographic print :b&w ;21 x 26 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 Lawyers--California--Los Angeles Women--California--Los Angeles Men--California--Los Angeles Los Angeles Evening Herald Express photographs Herald-Examiner Collection photographs
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