Looking for Mabel Normand

from Variety, February 26, 1930

OBITUARY

Mabel Normand

                Mabel Normand, 35[1], screen comedienne, died Feb. 23 of tuberculosis in Pottenger Sanitarium at Monrovia, Cal., a shadow of her old-time self and attended only by her secretary and traveling companion, Mrs. Julia Benson, and a nurse.  Her husband, Lew Cody (Lois Coti) was away at the time, visiting at the home of Norman Kerry, picture actor.

                Miss Normand had been reported seriously ill for some time, although she had shown improvement after blood transfusions.  She had been the subject of considerable newspaper attention since the killing of William Desmond Taylor, film director, Feb. 2, 1922, and had also figured in another sensational affair when chauffeur, Horace A. Greer, was tried[2] for shooting Courtland S. Dines, a wealthy Denver clubman, in 1923.  She sued Mrs. Georgia W. Church for $500,000 libel in November, 1924, as a result of the latter naming Miss Normand in a divorce action.  All these matters unquestionably undermined her health, with Miss Nor­mand up to the time of her death declaring she knew nothing of the Taylor murder and had expressed the one wish that the murder­er be brought to justice before she died.  The murder remains as much of a mystery as ever.

                In December, 1928, Miss Normand’s health became impaired to the extent that tuberculosis developed[3] and she began a brave fight to regain her health.  The vivacious queen of silent film clowning never got a chance to work in the talkers although she had signed a contract with Hal Roach to appear in comedies, but her health never permitted the comeback.  Miss Normand was born in Quebec, Nov. 10, 1894, her parents moving to Staten Island, N. Y., when she was very young.[4] 

                Her initial screen appearance was at the old Vitagraph studio in Brooklyn, but her development came at the old Biograph where she appeared in support of Mary Pickford in “The Mender of the Nets.”  Under D. W. Griffith's direction she was given her first real opportunity although her starring days started with Mack Sennett as her teacher.  In the old Mack Sennett comedies, Miss Normand became a leading actress and worked under other directors, being starred in a number independent productions.

                Her best remembered screen work was in “Mickey” She did many other successful films including “The Extra Girl,” released by the Associated Exhibitors.

                Her marriage to Cody occurred in November, 1926.  When she was at the height of her career she invested in a hand­some home for her parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Normand, on Staten Island.  Her father died about three weeks ago with news of his illness and demise having been withheld from the daughter because of her own condition. 

                Besides her mother, a sister, Gladys, and a brother, Claude, survive. The mother and sister left the coast upon news of her death, making part of the journey by airplane.

                Miss Normand had once appeared on the legitimate stage, the A. H. Woods office presenting her in “The Little Mouse,” in 1924.  A few performances were given on the road, but the New York engagement was called off when the show was not considered strong enough for Broadway.

            Services will be held Friday morning at the Church of Good Shepherd, Los Angeles, with the body to be brought east by her mother and sister for interment on Staten Island.[5]