Title supplied by cataloger.; Photograph was edited for publication purposes. Irving Thalberg; Paul Bern was born on December 3, 1889. He was a German-born American film director, screenwriter and producer. He was instrumental in launching Jean Harlow's acting career, taking her seriously as an actress. She and Bern were married in July, 1932. Two months after the marriage, on September 5, 1932, Bern was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head in their Beverly Hills home. The death was ruled a suicide, but several alternate theories were circulated. Some believe Bern's former common-law wife killed him, as she suffered from mental problems, had followed him to Los Angeles, and committed suicide two days after his death. First photograph caption dated July 2, 1932 reads "This photo shows Mr. Bern, who presented Miss Harlow with a $60,000 mansion as a wedding gift. John Gilbert, noted star, will be his best man."; Second photograph caption dated September 7, 1932 reads "A record of friendship and affection for Paul Bern is written by filmland notables in the leaves of his green leather guest book, on the 13th page of which he inscribed his own 'Dearest dear' farewell note to his wife, Jean Harlow, before he ended his life. On one page, Leslie Fenton, actor, wrote: 'If there were more like you, it wouldn't be so hard to stay here.' But Bern, pictured at top, found it too hard to stay in this world."
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;26 x 21 cm. Photographic prints
Bern, Paul,--1889-1932 Harlow, Jean,--1911-1937--Family Motion picture producers and directors--United States Men--California--Los Angeles Portrait photographs Los Angeles Evening Herald and Express photographs Herald-Examiner Collection photographs
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