Betty Rowland at the Follies!

Photo: 6152 Agra St. Credit: Google Street View.

Feb. 2, 1942: Lewis Buell Chase dialed the sheriff’s substation in Firestone Park and told a deputy: “I have just murdered a woman.”

He had gone to the home of his estranged wife, Susie, at 6152 Agra St., Bell Gardens, to see if she would sign some papers. They argued, and as their 11-year-old son, Robert, played outside, he slashed her jugular vein with a boning knife.

He was convicted of first-degree murder with a recommendation of life in prison. Robert Chase was left in the custody of his grandmother, Mrs. Roxie Shipp, also of Bell Gardens.

Police are also investigating the shooting of palm reader Madame Lorraine, allegedly by her protege, Charlotte Jean Le Nord.

The women, described as “motion picture fans,” had recently seen a film involving Russian roulette and police speculate that they were imitating the movie when the shooting occurred. I guess she didn’t see that one coming.

In cage ball, referees at a game between Southern Oregon College and Monmouth were kept off the floor. Instead, the officials were placed in two “crow’s nests” behind the baskets.

Coaches, players and fans say the system is an improvement, allowing a faster game.

Referee Frank O’Neil said: “It virtually eliminated petty pushing, hacking and the like. Players found they couldn’t get away with it and didn’t try.”

Jimmie Fidler says: The fact that  eight out of 1941’s top 10 box office stars were men (Bette Davis and Judy Garland were the exceptions) points directly to my oft-repeated statement that there is too much sameness among actresses.

(The eight men are: Mickey Rooney, Clark Gable, Bob Hope, Gene Autry, Jimmy Cagney, Gary Cooper, Spencer Tracy and Abbott and Costello.)