On this date in 1933 movie star Betty Compson was playing
cards with producer E.D. Leshin in her Los Angeles home. The doorbell rang, and
when Compson answered it, a gunman forced his way in. The actress and producer
were forced upstairs into Betty’s bedroom where both were bound with piano wire
and had tape placed over their mouths.
The bandit helped himself to over $40,000 worth of jewelry
and escaped. Fifteen minutes later Compson wriggled free and untied Leshin. The
police were called and she filed a report. The following day, detectives came
to question her further, but she told them that she had changed her mind and
didn’t want the police to pursue the case. Detectives stated that she received a
phone call from the robber threatening her during their visit. She denied it,
stating only that she feared for her safety.
In the end, the bandit reached out to her lawyer and the jewelry was returned
to the actress. Although she denied it,
the police felt that the robber had ransomed back the jewelry.
Being a star during Hollywood’s golden-years wasn’t always sunshine and champagne.
