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 May 12, 1958 reads "Barbara Burns weeps after judge sentenced her to five days for contempt of court." She is seated in a courtroom, dabbing one eye with a handkerchief. A photographer with a large camera can be seen behind her. She was held in contempt for arriving late to the narcotics trial of her husband David Mack. Both were facing narcotics charges.
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 California.--Superior Court (Los Angeles County) Contempt of court--California--Los Angeles Children of celebrities--United States Crime--California--Los Angeles Criminals--California--Los Angeles Narcotic habit--California--Los Angeles Drug abuse--California--Los Angeles Courtrooms--California--Los Angeles Cameras--California--Los Angeles Photographers--California--Los Angeles Women--California--Los Angeles Downtown Los Angeles (Los Angeles, Calif.) Los Angeles Evening Herald Express photographs Herald-Examiner Collection photographs
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