HISTORY A HOLLYWOOD MURDER: PART TWO Who murdered movie director William Desmond Taylor on the night of 1 February 1922? Suspect number one, Henry Peavey. Taylor’s valet, Henry Peavey (pictured), had a penchant for wearing outlandish clothing and talking in an affected manner. Three days before the murder, he was arrested for “social vagrancy”. One is tempted to ask, why did Taylor employ such a dubious character as his most trusted servant? The murderer shot Taylor with a .38 calibre pistol. The bullet entered his body low on the left side, travelled through his lung before reaching his neck. The trajectory of the bullet suggested that the murderer had been either around five feet tall, stooped in a crouched position, lying on the floor, or holding the gun at an unusual angle. The Los Angeles police questioned Peavey at length. However, because Peavey was a man of colour, he had to obey Los Angeles’ racial laws of that time and be home before 8pm, and the authorities judged that Taylor had been murdered sometime after 8pm. So, who murdered William Desmond Taylor? More next time… Hannah Howe, author of Tula and Sunshine, novels set during the Golden Age of Hollywood. https://hannah-howe.com
Pavilion. The Porthcawl Amateur Operatic Society soldiered on throughout the war presenting musicals, particularly ‘The Student Prince’ in December 1942. On 13th December 1944 Ralph Reader’s Gang Show visited RAF Stormy Down. Porthcawl Cinemas, Coliseum and Casino, owned by Mr. William Beynon were granted Sunday opening, which was welcomed. The war affected Christmas dinners. In 1939 the Airmen’s menu at RAF Newton Down (Stormy Down by 1940) included a starter tomato soup, turkey and full Christmas trimmings, pudding, mince pies, cheese, fruit, beer, and cigarettes. By 1945 this richness of fayre had changed. Ceri Joseph
PORTHCAWL MUSEUM ANTIQUE EVENING
WW2 CHRISTMAS IN PORTHCAWL Christmases 1939-1945 for obvious reasons changed in many ways. Decorations were crafted from what was available or found in the countryside. Presents were again either made by hand or if possible, purchased at local shops. Wartime spirit was, also, alive, and well in the way parties and entertainment were delivered. In December 1940 a party was given at the Porthcawl Pavilion for all evacuees and Porthcawl children of school age. The children were given tea, games and dancing. On the other hand, that same December many serving men, billeted in Porthcawl, were invited to private homes whilst others were entertained to tea and a party on Christmas Day, also, at the
A large audience attended Porthcawl museum antique evening at the High Tide in October Philip Keith, auctioneer at Rogers Jones & Co Cardiff talked about his 30 years experience working in the auction industry before apprising some of the antiques brought to the event by members of the audience. An antique quiz and raffle bringing the evening to a close. The Museum would like to thank the auctioneer, the museum volunteers and the staff at the High Tide for making the evening a success. David Swidenbank
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