Page 38 of The Lavender Bride

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Prologue

Dinah Doyle Dies

The terrible news from Hollywood this week is the death of Dinah Doyle on 13 May. The thirty-year-old star of Charisma and The Paradise Club was married to her co-star, Aidan Neil. They have one daughter, Erin who is six.

Crown Pictures announced her death by draping the crown above the studio entrance in black crepe. A statement from the studio said, ‘We are deeply saddened by Dinah Doyle’s untimely death. She was one of the brightest jewels in our crown of stars. Everyone who worked with her will miss her enormously. As a mark of respect, we have delayed the release of Dinah and Aidan’s latest movie, Harlequin Nights which will now open on 1 July.’

Aidan Neil was not available for comment but released a statement via the studio. ‘I have lost my wife and my daughter has lost her mother in the most tragic and unexpected circumstances. I ask that you respect our need to grieve in private.’

The cause of death has not been confirmed. But a source at the studio told our reporter that Dinah drowned in a pool at a villa she was staying at near Newport, California. There have been rumours in recent weeks that the marriage of the perfect Hollywood couple was on the rocks with Dinah’s name linked to two of the most eligible men in the movie business.

FILM WEEKLY, 20 MAY 1936