MAX LINDER & WIFE RECOVERING FROM OVERDOSE OF SLEEPING POWDER
Vienna, Austria (JFK+50) On February 24, 1924, The Sunday Star reports well-known movie actor Max Linder* and his wife Helene 'Ninette' Peters** were found in a "dying condition" yesterday in a hotel room here in Vienna.
The cause of their condition was thought to be from taking an overdose of sleeping powder. Fortunately, the Linders made a rapid recovery and were taken to a sanitarium. A judicial inquiry determined the overdose was accidental.
JFK+50 NOTE
Despite his success, proclaimed as the 1st international movie star, Max Linder suffered from severe depression in the early 1920s. He married in August 1923 & it is believed he & his young wife made a suicide pact in 1924. They reportedly took Veronal^ injections, morphine & slashed their wrists in October 1925.
^Veronal (Barbital) is pure acid & sodium salt. It was the 1st commercially available barbituate used as a sleeping aid 1903-1950s.
*Max Linder a.k.a. Gabriel Leuvielle (1883-1925) was born in Cavernes, France & became an actor, director, screenwriter, producer & comedian in the silent film era. ML starred as "Max" a wealthy & dapper man about town. His film career spanned 1905-1916.
**Helene 'Ninette' Peters Leuvielle (1905-1925) was born in Nugent-sur-Marne, France
SOURCE
"Actor And Wife Take Poison Accidentally," The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., February 24, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of America, www.loc.gov/
