LOS ANGELES TIMES

March 29, 1939

Crawford Divorce Plea Hits Snag

Absentee Hearing of Film Actress Separation Refused

Superior Judge Benjamin J. Scheinman yesterday declined to divorce Joan Crawford from Franchot Tone in absentee proceedings. His action completely upset the two players' preparations for a dinner last night in which they planned celebration of their divorce.

ACTION POSTPONED

What had been "an eve of divorce preview" in one of New-York's glamorous night spots at an early hour yesterday turned out to be just another night.

The judge postponed action on the divorce trial until April 18, indicating that Miss Crawford should be present. Her attorney is to confer with Miss Crawford as to whether the date suits the actress' convenience.

JUDGE COMMENTS

Miss Crawford's movie-stage stand-in, Kasha Haroldi, once her sister-in-law, was in the courtroom ready to stand in for the actress but the move did not work out that way In the court drama.

Commenting on the unusual proposal that the trial proceed with neither the plaintiff nor defendant present and with only a deposition from the plaintiff arid her corroborating witness present, Judge Scheinman said:

"This is a question of policy to which I have given some serious thought. In the absence of any extraordinary circumstances, I believe the plaintiff in the case should be present."

DIVORCE TO GO ON

After a night of "Eye of Divorce" celebrating, Crawford and Tone left the New York night spot early yesterday and a reporter remarked to them: "Maybe the divorce will be called off?"

"No," replied Miss Crawford, "It will not be called off!"

Later in the day, when the news of the Los Angeles judge's denial had reached her, she declined to make any statement other than that she wished to confer with her attorney before speaking further about the matter.

The divorce complaint, was filed last February. Miss Crawford asked for her freedom on the grounds of extreme mental cruelty.

[Thanks to Norman for providing this article.]