Evening star., 1935-12-20

vorced from the actress in 1884 after
q two-year marriage. Although not
q member Of the same party, Di Cicco
had attended the Cafe Trocadero. in
Hollywood, shortly before police be-
leve she died.
Friends said Miss Todd showed a
marked change in spirits from gay to
somber after visiting table at which
Sid Grammar, theatrical impresario
and three other persons were seated
Shortly afterward she departed.
At Miss Todd's request Grammar
telephoned Roland West, former f1lm
director and copartner in her sea-
side cafe, that she was starting home
"All her gayety had evaporated," said
Arthur Prince, an actor, who sat next
to Miss Todd at the Trocadero dinner
party. Other guests, however, said
she left with jokes and laughter.
The sinister aspects of the case in
cluded extortion threats which had
aroused the actress fears to such a
pitch she urged her chauffeur to drive
homeward at breakneck speed. and
the possibility the enmity Of profes-
sional gamblers was stirred by reports
gaming was contemplated by Miss
Todd's cafe at Santa Monica.
Grand jury subpoenas were issued
for: Roland West, former screen direc-
tor and copartner with Miss Todd in
her seaside cafe, who testified he
locked out" the actress Sunday morn
ing from the building where they had
adjoining living quarters.
Mrs. Alice Elizabeth Todd, the act
ress' mother, who first cried "She has
been murdered" when informed Of her
death, and later expressed belief Miss
Todd had suffered a heart attack.
May Whitehead, the comedienne's
personal maid, who discovered the
body and who gave Miss Todd her
only key to the cafe building before
she left for the Trocadero party.
Driver Of Todd Auto.
Ernest Peters, auto livery operator,
who drove Miss Todd home from the
party at $50 am. Sunday and at her
request did not escort her up the stairs
Charles Smith, elderly treasurer OF
the Todd cafe, who said he went to
bed at $40 am. Sunday in his lodg-
ings atop the garage where Miss
Todd's body was found. He said he
heard no sound Of running auto
mobile engine in the dawn hours fixed
by the county autopsy surgeon as the
- he ~
day night when he went to sleep again.
Mrs. Martha Ford, actors wife, who
said she talked with Miss Todd over
the telephone Sunday afternoon about
4 o'clock, and was told by Your Hot
Toddy" that the commedienne was
bringing an unnamed guest to the
FordS cocktail party in half an hour.
Grammar, Hollywood Snowman,
who telephoned West from the Troca-
dero at 1855 am. Sunday that Miss
Todd was leaving for the beach.
Jewel Carmen, actress and eStranged
wife of West, who added to the puZ-
Fling death mystery by telling police
she had seen Miss Todd and "for-
eign-looking man" driving on Holly
wood boulevard at IL o'clock Sunday
night In the same automobile in
which the body was found on Monday.
Detectives expressed belief Miss
Carmen was mistaken in her inden-
tf1cation, since she described Miss
Todd as wearing a smart hat, whereas
the body. when discovered, was hat
less. AT the start Of the investigation,
detectives said, Miss Carmen had de-
clared she had not seen Miss Todd
for several months.
A chemical analysis Of all vital
organs Of the body was underway
today for possible traces Of poisons
or drugs. This phase Of the investi-
cation delayed cremation, scheduled
to follow funeral services yesterday.
An anonymous letter received by
police, presumably from a woman,
said the writer had been given a lift"
by the actress in her automobile Sum-
day afternoon. The writer said she
recognized the actress from news
paper pictures. Police considered the
letter the work of q "crank."
Tweleve thousand persons fled by
the caSket in which the actress body
lay in state for five hours yesterday.
The blond curls Of the statuesque
beauty were carefully arranged. The
body was attired in blue lounging
pajamas.
Less than 200 friends filled the Wee
Kirk o. the Heather In Forest Lawn
Memorial Park. Glendale, In the after
noon at private services.
"As her pastor wish to pay tribute
10 her genuineness, said Rev. Harold
Proppee Of the Hollywood Baptist
Church.
"She was at all times the same sweet
person. She was q friend to all with
whom she came IN contact"