Scandals behind the death of Paul Bern

This is an outstanding book, well investigated and beautifully written about the death of producer Paul Bern, the husband of actress Jean Harlow. This is a gripping story that engages the readers as the author unfolds the scandals behind it. The author Sam Marx is a MGM insider and its story editor for many years and also a producer who knew Paul Bern and Jean Harlow personally and he was one of the first to arrive at the Bern-Harlow estate on Easton Drive of Benedict Canyon on Labor Day of 1932. By this time police were not yet called but Louis B. Mayer, the MGM boss had already come and gone. Los Angels Times reported that Bern's death is mystifying and stated that there were variances in servants accounts. The crime scene investigation revealed that there was a suicide note, but the author concludes that it was an apology written by Bern to Harlow few days ago for a minor domestic altercation. The crime scene details also casts doubt on the theory that he shot himself since the position, blood splatter, and the position of gun found at the scene does not support this theory. But Paul's death added an extra dimension to the constant and frenzied wheeling and dealing of picture making at MGM. Studio bosses were at the Bern estate for six or seven hours before cops rolled in. They knew something others did not, and they were covering up something before it became a big scandal and blow in the face of the studio. The studio executives concluded that Bern's death is a suicide and the suicide note would support this theory. The studio also obtained a medical certificate from studio physician that Bern had medical problems related to impotence and he no longer could satisfy his beautiful wife, so he committed suicide. It was felt that this story is least likely to hurt the studio. This theory is countered by several other studio managers who argued with executives that Bern had been with many women and some of them could testify about his virility. In addition Bern was married to Dorothy Millette and had been cohabitating for several years. On the night of Bern's death, Dorothy Millette who had been in coma for several years in NY recovered and had been in San Francisco and she was visiting Bern in his house in LA, in spite of the fact he didn't want to see her and she knew he is married to Harlow. Harlow was unaware of his first marriage and hence to avoid embarrassment, he shot himself. This was the first theory of the author based on his understnding of the case, but he changes that to murder by Dorothy Mellette who was scorned by Bern. It is also her mental condition that may have contributed her sudden murderous rage. Two days after Bern's death Millette committed suicide by jumping from a ferryboat traveling from San Francisco to Sacramento. Paul Bern apparently used his secretary in the studio's to send Millette the bank checks for years to support her. And he also visited her when he went to NY.

Marino Bello, the husband of mother Harlow may be another suspect. Apparently he was an opportunist who was using Harlow's connection with MGM to make him big in movie industry, but the executives strongly disliked him. Before she became a star, he even persuaded her to date mafia in NY. He had connections with bad guys. The author recalls that Bello was jealous about a much older Paul Bern marrying his beautiful step-daughter, but this theory doesn't have strong support.

There is also plenty of history written in the book about the rise of Jean Harlow to stardom and the difficulties she faced with reluctant MGM studio bosses Irving Thalberg and Louis B. Mayer to cast her for first successful movie, Red Headed Woman. The author also recalls the struggles in movie making business, the politics and briefly touches upon the work life of other MGM stars like; Buster Keaton, Marie Dressler, Wallace Beery, Norma Shearer, Clark Gable, and Joan Crawford.

Reference: Deadly Illusions: Jean Harlow and the Murder of Paul Bern by Samuel Marx