On Thanksgiving Day in 1923, 24-year-old actress Martha Mansfield was working on her latest film, a Civil War drama. The media predicted her role as the leading lady would catapult her into the next level of stardom. Tragically, she never got to finish her scenes that day, and within 24 hours Martha was dead.

Episode Sources:

“Dangerous Curves Atop Hollywood Heels: The Lives, Careers, and Misfortunes of 14 Hard-Luck Girls of the Silent Screen” by Michael G. Ankerich, (2010)

“Making Over Martha” by Delight Evans, Photoplay Magazine, 1920

“Martha, the Beautiful” by Lillian May, Motion Picture Magazine (Aug 1920 - Jan 1921) pgs. 56-57, 108

“The Movie Star Named After Mansfield” by Timothy Brian McKee, Richland County History

“‘The Century Girl’ A Huge Success” The New York Times, Nov 7, 1916

"Martha Mansfield Left All to Her Mother In "Partial Return" for Care Given Her” New York Times, p. 1, Sep 26, 1924

“Martha Mansfield, Movie Star, Dies As The Result Of Burns” Meriden Morning Record, Dec. 1, 1923

“Martha Mansfield, Film Star, Dies of Burns Caused by Costume Fired by Smoker's Match” New York Times, Dec. 1 1923

“Golden Images: 41 Essays on Silent Film Stars” by Eve Golden

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*Hey Misfits, we're pretty chatty at the top of this episode so if you'd prefer to get right to the story then skip ahead to about 10:15.

Adam Hecht is the son of wealthy Hollywood producer Harold Hecht. Adam’s life took a strange turn after befriending a man from L.A.’s unhoused community. What began as an act of compassion led Adam down an unexpected path, leaving behind questions, eerie encounters, and theories that don’t quite add up. Was it a search for meaning, a brush with danger, or something far darker? Join us as we dive into a story of privilege, mysticism, and a vanishing that still haunts Beverly Hills.

Episode Sources:

“Adam Hecht was the 24-year-old son of a famous movie producer, who inexplicably moved a homeless man into his apartment and promptly disappeared. [Unresolved Disappearance]” on the r/UnresolvedMysteries Reddit thread from desaparecidose, 7 years ago

Adam Hecht: Searching for Answers - UPDATE!, February 14, 2019, Missing Persons, Lost and Found Blogs

“Adam Arthur Hecht, Case Number 8904930“ from Cold Case Missing Persons section of the City of Beverly Hills government website

“Adam Hecht” from Unsolved Mysteries

“Unsolved Mysteries with Robert Stack - Season 3, Episode 5 - Full Episode” from Unsolved Mysteries - Full Episodes Channel on YouTube

“Adam Hecht” on Unsolved Mysteries Wiki, Fandom

“About: Harold Hecht” from DBpedia

“Oscar-Winning Producer Harold Hecht Dies at 77” by Deborah Hastings, May 28, 1985, Los Angeles Times

“568DMCA - Adam Arthur Hecht” from TheDoeNetwork

“Harold Hecht” on IMDb

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Peter Arne was the type of actor who, though you might not recognize his name, you would recognize his face. His career really took off in the 1950s, appearing in array of plays, TV shows and films, including "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," "Antony and Cleopatra," "Victor/Victoria " and several "Pink Panther" movies. But his life was cut short in his early 60s when he was viciously attacked and murdered in his own home.

Episode Sources:

“Peter Arne, British Actor, 62, Is Found Murdered in London” The New York Times, Aug. 4, 1983

“The Avengers Forever: Peter Arne” by Pete Stampede

“Actor Murdered by Teacher” Westminster and Pimlico News, Oct 28, 1983, p. 7

Mary Renault

“$100,000 BOOK PRIZE IS OFFERED BY M.-G.-M.” The New York Times, Oct 12, 1943 p. 23

“Books: MGM” TIME Magazine, Nov 1, 1943

“The Tragic Death of Actor Peter Arne” by The Crime Reel, Jun 14, 2023

“1983 PETER ARNE a well known actor - Murdered for his kindness” - Museum of Crime, Sandy Kaye

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