In the depths of the pandemic, I stumbled upon a 1930s Warner Brothers musical called “Ready, Willing and Able.”
As I watched the film, I was captivated by the leading man, Ross Alexander, a charming crooner with a knack for wisecracks.
However, when I saw the trailer for the film, I noticed that Ross Alexander was conspicuously absent.
Intrigued, I embarked on a journey to uncover the shocking and heartbreaking truth about this forgotten Hollywood star.
To my surprise, I discovered a book dedicated to Ross Alexander’s life and untimely demise.
“Ross Alexander: The Life and Death of a Contract Player” by John Franceschina provided a detailed account of his rise to fame and subsequent downfall, dispelling many misconceptions surrounding his life.
Contrary to popular belief, Ross Alexander did not take his own life with sleeping pills, as falsely stated in Kenneth Anger’s “Hollywood Babylon.”
The reality of his tragic end was far more scandalous and heartrending.
Born in Brooklyn, NY in 1907, Ross Alexander exhibited a passion for theater from a young age.
He often clashed with his high school teacher over creative differences, but he later sought forgiveness by offering her his most prized possession, a green ever-sharp pencil.
After completing his education, Ross joined the Boston Repertory Theater company, where he showcased his talent in various small roles alongside Peg Entwistle, who tragically jumped from the Hollywood sign in 1932.
Alexander’s career took him to Broadway, where he appeared in several plays, including the ill-fated production of “The Ladder.”
It was during this time that he developed a close relationship with John Golden, a renowned figure in the theater industry.
Speculation arose
