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Walter Wanger, who suspected his movie star wife was having an affair, had had enough.
On Dec. 1, on September 13, 1951, a popular former film producer who had fallen on hard times grabbed his gun. Determined to teach Joan Bennett and her Hollywood agent, Jennings Lang, a lesson, Wanger heads to MCA, Lang’s agency, where he sees his wife’s Cadillac convertible parked. outside
Hours later, after sunset The pair then arrived in Lang’s car. Wanger, who was “overwhelmed by jealous anger,” jumped out of the car and confronted the couple. After a war of words, Wanger shot Lang twice, one bullet grazed the officer’s thigh. while another shot hit him in the groin.
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Jennings visible As Lang recovers from a gunshot wound from film producer Walter Wanger, he receives bedside visits from his wife and lawyer. (Getty Images)
The filming that rocked Hollywood during the Golden Age is covered in a new book. “Beverly Hills Noir: Crime, Sin, and Scandal on 90210.” By author and long-time People magazine contributor Scott Huver, we explore the outrageous events that took place in this starry city.
“When (Wanger) decided to physically confront his wife and her agent, He was in a terrible position financially and emotionally,” Hoover told Fox News Digital.
Scott Huver’s book “Beverly Hills Noir” is now available. (Post Hill Press)
“He was on top of the world in Hollywood,” Hoover recalls. “He was a very influential and respected producer. And as things began to deteriorate, his image began to crumble.
Walter Wanger “lost his mind” after his career took a downturn, says author Scott Huver. (Harry Benson/Daily Express/Getty Images)
“He hinted. That he was willing to take some action when he realized his wife was involved with her agent. But I think what pushed him over the edge was actually getting a report from a private investigator. All his doubts confirmed.”
Joan Bennett, seen here with Walter Wanger, became the breadwinner in her home. (Keystone/Getty Images)
“When he found out, it gnawed at him,” Huver continued. “It was forced. He had to go in and slap them in the face. Look how much of a mess he made. He did it outside the talent agency in the parking lot. Which happened to be across the street from Beverly Hills City Hall and the police station. It wasn’t a stealth operation.
At that time, Wanger declared bankruptcy. Even if the creditor doesn’t believe him. hollywood reporter Revealed, Huver pointed out that Wanger had to rely on Bennett to pay the bills.
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Joan Bennett’s femme fatale persona would come back to haunt her. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Meanwhile He had hired a private eye to follow her. It was later said that she and Laing spent time together in New Orleans. in the caribbean and in the Beverly Hills apartment of Jay Kanter, a friend of Wanger’s.
Jennings Lang is a sought-after Hollywood agent. (Los Angeles Examiner/USC Library/Corbis via Getty Images)
“Joan Bennett and Jennings Lang became close when Walter Wanger’s fortune collapsed,” explains Huver. “She became the family’s breadwinner when they were in danger of losing their home… Her home was originally built on her fortune from filmmaking, so as she tried to support her family and their children, she became more and more dependent on it. About Jennings Lang, who really was a great spy… And he’s a good looking guy.
“They are very attached to each other. Yes, there are conflicts between them. But I think she is quite emotionally dependent on (Lang) when her husband isn’t by her side while he’s dealing with problems in his own business.”
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Wanger and Bennett married in 1940 while he was a well-known womanizer. But she yearns for a normal life at home.
“He was a powerful man in Hollywood. And he expects things to go his way,” Hoover explains. “Now, he’s been married. And in that marriage It is reported to be an open marriage. And neither he nor his wife had any problems. with any relationship that happens outside
“It was not a stealth operation. It was the act of a hopeless man.”
Walter Wanger pleads to temporary insanity (Los Angeles Examiner/USC Library/Corbis via Getty Images)
“But Joan was quite adamant about traditional marriage. Even though she has been married a few times… She wants a traditional family. She needs stability.”
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Walter Wanger with his wife Joan Bennett in London They seem like the perfect couple. But behind closed doors There are different stories to tell. (Fred Ramage/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Wanger and Bennett seemed to have the “perfect marriage” and were a power couple in Hollywood, Huver pointed out, but when Wanger began to lose his star status and finances, it “pushed him to the brink.”
During the scandal, Joan Bennett spoke closely with investigators. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
“They used protection from the blue light that went off in his brain. That drove him to do this,” Hoover said. “And… in a way, that’s… what happened. Finally he snorted… And even though what’s good for him isn’t good for her on paper, He just decided he couldn’t take it anymore.”
Meanwhile, Bennett sought comfort in Laing. Hoover said he would not call the relationship “a full-blown love affair.”
Jennings Lang with actress Joan Crawford at Coconut Grove in Los Angeles. (Earleaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
“It seemed like it was something they were both invested in,” he explains. “It went on for a while. But when the jig is finished They didn’t try any further. Didn’t spend any time together after that. (No) love letters that anyone knew were passed around.”
The police were only a few steps away. When Lang was bleeding, he was taken to the hospital. bennett which “Eyes wide with horror,” he quickly regained his composure and hurried off to business.
“She made sure Jennings… must be taken care of Then he shows up at the police station to confront… Any song you have to deal with,” Hoover said. “Police Chief of Beverly Hills is a very strong character. And she was willing to fight him one-on-one and be herself. You both impressed him and earned his begrudging respect.”
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Joan Bennett has been contacted by photographers and journalists here. (Los Angeles Examiner/USC Library/Corbis via Getty Images)
“Then she faced the press,” Hoover said. “She knew that hiding from it and trying to dodge it was not an effective strategy. She is about to be hunted and stalked. She then welcomed the press into her own home to hold a press conference. while quite Ignoring the idea that Walter had any reason. Whatever must be done She also told the public that she hopes they don’t think ill of Hollywood because of this incident.
“That’s how the old Hollywood system worked. By trying to present the best Present the best And it didn’t alienate ticket buyers,” Hoover said. “It was… a master class, and she handled it shockingly well.”
Wang survived. Wanger was taken to court on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, The Hollywood Reporter shared. According to Wanger, he pleaded to temporary insanity while he received assistance from “Super lawyer Jerry Giesler and a group of Hollywood A-listers.”
Captain Walter White of the Beverly Hills Police (left) holds a gun while District Attorney S. Ernest Roll holds a knife at Walter. Wanger is holding. (Getty Images)
Wanger was sentenced to four months in prison. The New York Times Reported
Huver said Bennett’s relationship with Lang ended in the blink of an eye. As Lang recovered, the pair “went to repair the damage they had done to their family.”
After Wanger was released He briefly experienced a comeback in Hollywood.
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Walter Wanger served a few months in prison. (Los Angeles Examiner/USC Library/Corbis via Getty Images)
“He set out to make a socially conscious prison film like ‘I Want to Live!’ that would make Susan Hayward won an Oscar. It put him back on top. Really again,” Hoover said.
Susan Hayward won an Oscar for her role as Barbara. Graham in the 1958 film “I Want to Live!” (Getty Images)
Wanger’s career was cut short by his last film. His biggest film, 1963’s “Cleopatra,” nearly bankrupted 20th Century Fox.
“The core of that film’s failure was the behind-the-scenes adultery with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, which shut the public down,” Hoover said.
Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor had a famous relationship on the set of “Cleopatra,” Walter Wanger’s final film. (Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)
Lang also prospered after the shooting. Huver said his agency bought Universal Studios, where he became an executive.
Jennings Lang attends the 4th Annual Clint Eastwood Celebrity Tennis Tournament at the Beach and Tennis Club in Pebble Beach, California on July 7, 1973. (Fairchild Archive/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)
“He essentially saw the invention of television movies,” Hoover said. “He (also) worked on some big disaster movies in the 70s… which was very exciting.”
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Joan Bennett struggles to find work in Hollywood after scandal (Los Angeles Examiner/USC Library/Corbis via Getty Images)
“Within a short period of time It was painfully clear that I was a professional pariah in Hollywood, one of the ‘untouchables,’” she wrote, as quoted by Vanity Fair– “I was excommunicated. There is evidence that before December 13, 1951, I made 65 films in 23 years. I made five movies.”
According to the outlet, Bennett was forced to sell her home. When she expressed her desire to divorce and move to New York to pursue a career in theater, Wanger threatened to fight over child custody. Their divorce was finalized in 1965.
“She has been in the marriage for some time. Even though she ended up being loveless,” says Hoover, “she came back with a cool horror project. A couple of projects in her career. She appeared in the television drama ‘Dark Shadows,’ which is (still) very popular.”
Joan Bennett starred in “Dark Shadows.” (ABC Photo Gallery/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
Wanger died in 1968, Bennett died in 1990, followed by Lang in 1996.
“Since this blew up their lives in 1951, they were able to heal things. together well enough to enjoy life later,” Hoover said.
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