Sept. 6, 1953: Barbara Graham, on trial in the Mabel Monahan killing, sobs “almost hysterically” as she holds her 18-month-old son, Tommy, during a visit at the Hall of Justice, The Times says. He was in the custody of his grandmother Anne Webb.

Bessie Lill, veteran court reporter, retires after 34 years at the age of 70. Lill worked mostly in civil court and said one of her most interesting cases was “the old water litigation in the 1920s when much of California’s water law was written.” Lill used the Pitman method of shorthand, she says. No stenographic machine for her!

Francis Ford, an actor and brother of director John Ford, dies at 71.

Coming soon: “The Actress,” starring Spencer Tracy, Jean Simmons and Teresa Wright. Written by Ruth Gordon and directed by George Cukor.