Hollywoodland (2006) - IMDb [36] According to Crane (who was not present), Bill Bliss had told Millicent Trent after the shot rang out, while Bliss was having a drink, that Leonore Lemmon came downstairs and said, Tell them I was down here, tell them I was down here![37], A number of questionable physical findings were reported by investigators and others: No fingerprints were recovered from the gun. [24] As for Port of Entry, Reeves was never able to gain financing for the project, and the show was never made. [31] However, Reeves and his partner failed to find financing, and the film was never made. He died in June of 1959, not 1958. He had also lined up a science fiction script called Return to Earth, by screenwriter Sidney Fields that he had hoped to direct, possibly with his Superman co-star Phyllis Coates in one of the lead roles. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture and gave Reeves the distinction of appearing in two "Best Picture" films. But all was not well behind the scenes in Metropolis. George went to bed at 12:30 AM. Considering her temperament, it does not seem out of the question she may have started waving Reeves pistol about whilst having a drunken argument with her prospective husband. There was no doubt that he had enjoyed a few libations that evening, but even drunk it stretches the imagination that someone would strip before committing suicide. Superman had been cancelled and Reeves had struggled to find the serious work he craved. In the 1950s the actor, George Reeves was best known for his portrayal of Superman in the television series, Adventures of Superman. Reeves was then transferred to the Army Air Forces' First Motion Picture Unit, where he made training films. This theory centres around the mysterious WIlliam Bliss, a stranger to both Reeves and Leonore Lemmon, whose presence in the house that night has never been adequately explained. When George Reeves, who had achieved international fame by playing Superman for five years on TV, was found dead by gunshot in 1959, the death was officially recorded as a suicide. She died in 1989. Many believe that the ghostly appearances by the actor lend credence to the idea that he was murdered. Were Hollywood's police force keeping a lid on the truth to protect Tinseltown from another scandal? The house where George lived is fairly modest for the area, but the asking price in 1995 was $625,000. George Reeves may not be the first actor that springs to mind when you think of Superman, but the star's untimely death put him at the centre of a conspiracy theory malestrom.. Reeves was actually . Was the coroner's verdict right after all? Lois & Clark - The New Adventures of Superman, Superman/Shazam! The Iowa-born actor got his big break when he was hired to play one of Scarlett OHaras suitors in 1939s Gone with the Wind. Reeves spoke out about these difficulties in a 1958 Evening Star article frankly titled No Work for Superman. When asked why he took the role, he said simply, I was hungry. But after six years, he was having a hard time pushing his career forward. In actual fact The Adventures of Superman was due to return in 1960, with a higher pay packet for Reeves and the promise that he would be able to direct more of the episodes, something he had enjoyed doing on the last three shows of the previous season. The Mannixs relationship was unusual even by the standards of Hollywood. And they call me Superman!). The police did not treat the house as a crime scene, and Lemmon was able to return shortly after they had left, have the bloody sheets washed, retrieve $4000 in travellers cheques and leave Los Angeles for New York, never to return again, not even for Reeves funeral. He won critical acclaim for the role and garnered considerable publicity. When the police did arrive, they found no sign . Perhaps fueled by a disbelief that the Man of Steel could ever take his own life, speculation and theories have abounded for more than 50 years that Lemmon, Mannix, her husband or even a hitman were responsible for the death of Superman. No one is entirely certain who was even at the house that night. Meanwhile, DC Comics was planning a television adaptation of its most famous character. While Reeves may have been famous for being Superman, the role wasnt making him a whole lot of money. Reeves was transferred to the Army Air Forces' First Motion Picture Unit, where he made training films. Perhaps he came a little too close to the truth. Reeves worked tirelessly with Toni Mannix to raise money to fight myasthenia gravis. At his funeral, he was laid to rest in the same suit that he wore on the TV show as "Clark Kent." Character actor Ben Welden had acted with Reeves in the Warner Bros. days and frequently guest-starred on Superman. Who Killed George Reeves, the Original Superman - Facts Verse There she had met and married Frank Joseph Bessolo by 1927, according to that year's federal census. November 5, 2022. in Arts, Culture, News. At around 2am that morning, two police officers arrived at 1579 Benedict Canyon, Los Angeles, the house Reeves had been living at with his new fiance Leonore Lemmon during the previous few months. No scandals were too big to be neutralised by Eddie, from covering-up Clark Gable accidently killing actress Tosca Roulien, to tracking down and buying up every copy of a porn film starring Joan Crawford. George Reeves as Superman CASE DETAILS The gun had no fingerprints on it Early one morning in June of 1959, Los Angeles police raced to a high priced Hollywood Hills home. Mannix died in 1983 at the age of 77--her husband Eddie had died in 1963. Sandrich felt that Reeves had the potential to become a major star, but unfortunately died while Reeves was still in uniform. A few minutes later a shot was heard and the foursome ran upstairs. By midnight on the night of June 16, 1959, only Lenore and writer Robert Condon were still at his house with him. To this day, there are three possible scenarios that explain the death of George Reeves. Reeves's film career began in 1939 when he was cast as Stuart Tarleton (albeit incorrectly listed in the film's credits as Brent Tarleton), one of Vivien Leigh's suitors in Gone with the Wind. The official cause of death for Reeves was ruled a suicide. Copyright (c) 2023 Groundspeak, Inc. All Rights Reserved. They had no children and divorced 10 years later.[16]. There's a general belief that Toni Mannix bought the house, but his name Reeves new girlfriend, who had since moved in, was a New York socialite named Leonore Lemmon, with whom he was rumored to be engaged. The Mysterious Death of Superman | What Lies Beyond proporcionarte nuestros sitios y aplicaciones; autenticar usuarios, aplicar medidas de seguridad y evitar el spam y los abusos, y. medir el uso que haces de nuestros sitios y aplicaciones. (Some sources contend that it may not have been looked for, as gunshot residue testing was not routinely performed in 1959). Jim Beaver is just as convinced that George's death was a suicide, as was reported in the newspapers of the day. The suicidal can become very adept at hiding their inner turmoil from their loved ones. The findings of a second autopsy, conducted at Giesler's request, were the same as the first, except for a series of bruises of unknown origin about the head and body. Nevertheless, the end of his iconic role reportedly hit him hard and at 45, typecast, unemployed and overweight, he found himself reduced to appearing in commercials and celebrity boxing matches. Around one in the morning they were joined by two of the neighbors, at which point Reeves, who had already been in bed, stomped downstairs to yell at his guests. Reportedly, the police had not been called until at least a half an hour after his death. The same cast was very quickly taken on for a television series, The Adventures of Superman, sponsored by Kellogg's cereal, which began airing late in 1952. Their relationship was full of booze and bickering. Eddie Mannix wasnt just a heavy in Hollywood, he was also rumored to have mob connections. George Reeves - Biography '"'[35], The official story given by Lemmon to the police placed her in the living room with party guests at the time of the shooting, but hearsay statements from Fred Crane, Reeves' friend and colleague from Gone With The Wind, put Lemmon either inside or in direct proximity to Reeves' bedroom. Present in the house at the time of the incident were Leonore Lemmon (who had been Reeves's fiancee at the time), William Bliss, writer Richard Condon, and Carol . Mysterious death of Superman star George Reeves and long - mirror If his death was suicide Reeves must have held the gun with his right hand, although this in itself is suspicious as the actor had injured his right hand in an automobile accident a few weeks prior to his death. Bud Collyer had voiced the Man of Steel on the radio from 1940 to 1951, and Kirk Alyn played the role in two 15-part movie serials that ended in 1950. George Reeves | Unsolved Mysteries Wiki | Fandom While this may have been the final act for George Reeves Superman, it was the first act in what would become one of the biggest mysteries surrounding the role. A noise echoed: See, hes opening the drawer to get the gun. Then a shot: I told you, hes shot himself.. Lemmon says George Reeves committed suicide. This is the house, and home, that Superman actor George Reeves lived George Reeves Facts. The 2006 movie, Hollywoodland starring Ben Affleckas Reeves, explores his life and relationships in greater detail. The Great Mystery Of George Reeves' Death On June 16, 1959, the actor died in his own bedroom when he was only 45 years old from a shot to the head. According to the statements given to the police (statements that were no doubt slurred), Reeves came down to ask them to be quiet, they convinced him to stay for a drink, and then he stomped his way back upstairs. I remember watching Superman on tv, George Reeves Kelloggs Corn Flakes CommercialFilmed in his Home, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), I blogged about during my Haunted Hollywood theme last year, 1579 Benedict Canyon Drive in Beverly Hills. Faster than a speeding bullet! Perhaps the toxic mixture of alcohol and painkillers had led to a fatal misjudgment? The coroner ruled it suicide. During the dinner, they had argued. Three shots were fired in the room: two on the floor and one in Reeves' head. In the early morning hours of June 16, 1959, George Reeves, who was the first to make the superhero an icon when he played the titular role in the inaugural TV series, was found dead in his. In 1957, the producers considered a theatrical film Superman and the Secret Planet. [17] Reeves fit the rugged requirements of the roles, and, with his retentive memory for dialogue, he did well under rushed production conditions. George Reeves' Ghost. Eddies exploits in covering up the sleazy underbelly of Hollywood were legendary. According to commentaries on the Adventures of Superman DVD sets, multiple scripts were filmed simultaneously to take advantage of the standing sets; for example, all the "Perry White's office" scenes for three or four episodes would be shot the same day and the various "apartment" scenes would be done consecutively. Wikimedia CommonsReeves played opposite Vivien Leigh as one of the Tarleton twins in Gone With the Wind. The house was bought in the early 1950's for $12,000. When George Reeves died in 1959, the death was quickly considered to be one that was self-inflicted. Released from his Warners contract, he signed a contract at Twentieth Century-Fox but was released after only a handful of films. Reeves died at the age of 45, from a gunshot wound to the head. Superman birth place and death house (George Reeves) - YouTube He was also engaged to Leonore Lemmon, a New York showgirl. Reeves was 38 when he first cloaked his rugged all-American looks that were more Clark Kent than strange visitor from another planet in a caped costume. Why had Lemmon waited for so long - 45 minutes or so, to call the police? Tac -- George Reeves' Home He died instantly and fell backwards, his feet still hungover the bed and his back on the mattress. Like an optical illusion, from one angle the details clearly show a man who, in a moment of distress, made a tragic decision. George Reeves was depressed and whilst entertaining guests at his home he he inexplicably left the room, placed a pistol to his right temple and pulled the trigger. Their suspicions werent entirely fueled by grief and denialthe evidence was puzzling. But not even Lane could have imagined that the dead boy was none other than Superman George Reeves himself. This was before news of Reeves death had gotten out, and it always remained a mystery to Coates how Mannix could have known Reeves was murdered unless she was party to it. According to biographer Jim Beaver, Reeves did not know for several years that Bessolo was still alive. He complained to friends, columnists, and his mother of his financial problems. The series went on the air the following year, and Reeves was amazed at becoming a national celebrity. Reeves initially had no autopsy and his body was swifted embalmed. He was inundated with menacing silent phone calls at all hours of the morning and someone even abducted his beloved dog Sam. Born George Keefer Brewer in 1914 in Woolstock, Iowa to Helen Lescher and Don C. Brewer, young George would grow up in Ashland, Kentucky and later in Pasadena California where his sister also lived. At the beginning of his life, George Reeves was a Midwesterner by birth but, as he grew older, he made his way out to California with his mother. Haunted Salem George Reeves' Ghost In the 1950s the actor, But in a franchise that's seen its share of tragedy George Reeves's reported suicide, Christopher Reeve's spinal injury the woes of the actor who played Jimmy in the 1950s went underreported. On June 16, 1959, actress Phyllis Coates was woken up around 4:30 a.m. by a very strange phone call. George Reeves was born George Keefer Brewer in Woolstock, Iowa, the son of Don Brewer and Helen Lescher (his death certificate erroneously lists his birthplace as Kentucky). THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN (1951-1957) - unknown actor (left) with George Reeves as "Superman." wow..thats a great articleby the way, Ive read those article in other site about his deathit is written that a ghostly phenomena has been reported at the former Reeves house ever since his death? While the authorities officially declared Reeves' death to be a suicide, not everyone was willing to accept that conclusion. Reeves head and hands showed no signs of gunshot residue or powder burns. The coroner had ruled the forty-five year old actor's death a suicide, brought about by despondency over a failing career and too much alcohol. George Reeves (TV's "Superman") at - The Hollywood Garage - Facebook The official verdict was that Reeves had committed suicide, the weight of his troubles having become too much for him to bear. Learn about George Reeves death and the true story behind the Hollywoodland movie starring Ben Affleck as TV's Superman. No gunpowder residue was found on Reeves' hands. [17], Released from his Warner contract, he signed a contract at Twentieth Century-Fox but was released after only a handful of films, one of which was the Charlie Chan movie Dead Men Tell. The brown-shingled bungalow, which was built in 1947, boasts 2 bedrooms, 3 baths, and 1,717 square feet. George Reeves Real name: George Keefer Brewer, George Bessolo. He got angry at them for being very loud. And George Reeves was not unable to find work, he was not broke, he was not a suicidal depressed person. But it wasnt just Reeves career that was going through a dramatic turn. All too often it is those closest to someone who takes their own life who can least understand it. Over six years and 104 episodes, the actor smiled broadly in pictures, fists planted on hips in the famous Superman power pose, and made appearances to promote the hit television show, including a guest spot in costume on I Love Lucy. Then check out 48 photos that capture vintage Hollywood. Reeves began acting and singing in high school and continued performing on stage as a student at Pasadena Junior College. Lenore was allegedly upset at the way he was handling the situation. Many, though, believed the investigation had been rushed and this may have been a case of homicide. Waymarkly is the premiere Waymarking app for iOS. Besides, the gun was not a revolver and it was quite evident whether it was chambered or not. The characters involved range from colorful to drunk to suspicious, having by now taken any secrets they may be hiding to their graves. director Mark Sandrich. Later, Reeves's mother,[12] who was of German descent, moved to California to stay with her sister. Reeves death was the first in what would come to be a string of tragedies surrounding the role, in what would come to be known as the Superman curse. Regardless of the plausibility of these theories, its likely that the identity of whoever fired the bullet that killed the Man of Steel will remain a mystery. Flickr CommonsThe costume Reeves donned as Superman on TV. Info Share. A classically trained actor who already had some impressive credits to his name, including the 1939 classic Gone With the Wind, Reeves was reluctant to take on the role because in televisions early days, it was considered to be a rather undignified medium that was far inferior to film. '"[29], Reeves, Noel Neill, Natividad Vaco, Gene LeBell, and a trio of musicians toured with a public-appearance show from 1957 onward. Next, read about the gruesome and unsolved murder of the Black Dahlia. A photo of a smiling Reeves and the sign appears in Gary Grossman's book about the show. George Reeves mother Helen Bessolo never accepted the official verdict and hired private investigators to to reopen the investigation into his death. After Gone with the Wind was filmed, Reeves returned to the Pasadena Playhouse and was given the lead role in the play Pancho. However, many of his friends and colleagues believe the actor was murdered, his death the stormy culmination of a tangled love life. (Reeves and Crane both dyed their hair red to portray the Tarleton twins.) Superman's Curse: The George Reeves Murder-Suicide Was a Hoax A SHOT rang out. Shortly after their arrival, Reeves came downstairs to hang out with the group and then once again retired to his room at around 1:20. George Bessolo Reeves lived in a modest house in Benedict Canyon in Los Angeles, California up until the time of his death on June 15, 1959. [13] His Gone with the Wind screen credit reflects the change. You can watch George Reeves Kelloggs Corn Flakes commercial by clicking above. Later in life, she become a somewhat tragic figure, bloated and consumed by alcoholism, Leonore would give many different accounts of the events of that night, often contradicting herself and denying things she was commonly reported to have said and done. Reeves would later recall the impact Sandrich's death had on his career. Those windows overlook the backyard and there is a garage under the guest bedroom. It was a minor role, but he and Fred Crane, both in brightly dyed red hair as "the Tarleton Twins," were in the film's opening scenes. All was not well behind the scenes in Metropolis. If this was the case, then clearly he had not fired the gun himself, and another party was involved. But his business manager and mother, among others, said that while it was true he was disappointed in the way things were going, his feelings werent strong enough to explain a suicide. Separated from his wife (their divorce became final in 1950), Reeves moved to New York City in 1949. And was Eddie, a man suspected of killing his first wife Bernice Fitzmaurice, behind the bullet to the head that ended the actors life? Toni Lanier Mannix (born Camille Bernice Froomess; February 19, 1906 - September 2, 1983) was an American actress and dancer in early motion pictures filmed with soundtracks, known as "talkies".Going by the name Toni Lanier, she became known in Hollywood circles for her extramarital relationship with future husband MGM studio head Eddie Mannix, who was married at the time to Bernice Fitzmaurice. Reeves and Toni Mannix split in 1958 and Reeves announced his engagement to society playgirl Leonore Lemmon. EXPLOSIVE new forensic evidence reveals Superman actor George Reeves didn't commit suicide he was murdered and a GLOBE investigation has uncovered the sordid truth behind the "perfect crime" and sinister cover-up of nearly 60 years! At around 1.20am, a bad tempered Reeves had admonished the trio for their noise, before returning upstairs. The subsequent police report seem to accept the whole story at face value. The police had never checked Reeves fingers for residue to see if he pulled the trigger nor did they count the number of bullets remaining in the gun. Clearly she had the motive, and through her ruthless and well connected husband she certainly had the means. Cancel OK Your account But from another, the death of George Reeves looks a lot like murder. Walker's property became known as "Houdini's House." Shortly after Houdini died on Halloween . Like so many men of his generation, the war derailed his life plans. The story told by those there that night is full of holes, the evidence perplexing and poorly handled. As TVs original Superman, George Reeves was the ultimate hero to millions of children. George's fiancee Lenore Lemmon claims that in . If anyone could put the heat on Superman it was Eddie. Separated from his wife (their divorce became final in 1950), Reeves moved to New York City in 1949. Newspapers and wire-service reports quoted LAPD Sergeant V.A. Location: California, United States Date Posted: 1/12/2010 6:55:33 PM George Reeves - Unsolved Mysteries George Reeves from "Superman" had a mysterious death that saw him die from a single gunshot wound to the head. George Reeves' Mysterious Passing at 45 Has People Doubting - AmoMama [14], While studying acting at the Pasadena Playhouse, Reeves met his future wife, Ellanora Needles, granddaughter of circus magnate John Robinson. One variation on this theory is that Reeves accidentally shot himself playing a game of Russian Roulette. According to Larson, Reeves also said he would feel better about the role if he knew he had any adult fans but never learned that Adventures of Superman had adult fans even during its original broadcast run.[17]. He Grew Up Thinking He Was Italian. According to the autopsy report, Reeves had taken his .30 caliber German Luger pistol, placed it near his right temple and pulled the trigger. George Reeves was born George Keefer Brewer in Iowa in 1914five months into his parents' marriage. George was dressed in a gray Clark Kent Suit from the tv show and his body was taken to Gates/Kingsley/Gates on Sepulveda.

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