Mayo Clinic brothers

Image: modern photograph of “My Brother and I” bronze figures from http://history.mayoclinic.org/ .

While not directly a southern California topic, it would be hard to believe that no local residents traveled to the Mayo Clinic for medical care.

“Beyond their operative acuity, the Mayos hit on the brilliant (and then revolutionary) idea of hiring other doctors, not only to help in the operating room but also those who specialized in other area in order to build a large group practice under one roof.

“Charlie and Will received some of the greatest honors in medicine. As brothers, they were so devoted to one another that in July 1939, only a few months after Charlie died in May 1939, Will passed away, too.”

Excerpts from https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/the-brilliant-brothers-behind-the-mayo-clinic .

A documentary about the clinic is being aired on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and can be watched online at https://www.pbs.org/video/the-mayo-clinic-faith-hope-science-czhdtb/ .

“Imagine the loss that not only the Mayo family felt that summer but the Rochester [Minnesota] area as a whole — and at a time when it appeared the whole world was going to hell in a hand-basket. Less than two months later, Hitler invaded Poland and World War II was underway, and everyone knew there was no way America could stay out of it.

“Think times are tough now? They’re not, compared with 1939.”

Excerpt from https://www.postbulletin.com/news/answer_man/answer-man-consider-the-grim-summer-of/article_75730738-2b86-11e8-9957-83fcf86df64c.html .

Coogan with Grable; child actors gain ownership of their earnings

1939 photo of Jackie Coogan with wife Betty Grable. Location is not given but it was probably in southern California. Image from http://thesilverscreenaffair.blogspot.com/2011/09/picture-of-day_29.html .

“The Coogan Law is named for famous child actor Jackie Coogan. …It wasn’t until his 21st birthday …that Jackie realized he was left with none of the earnings… Under California law at the time, the earnings of the minor belonged solely to the parent. Coogan eventually sued his mother and former manager for his earnings. As a result, in 1939, the Coogan Law was put into effect, presumably to protect future young actors from finding themselves in the same terrible situation that Jackie Coogan was left in. Unfortunately, the 1939 incarnation of the Coogan Law was flawed, leaving open various loopholes and necessitating long term, court sanctioned contracts for validation.”

Excerpt from http://smartactors.com/coogan-law/ . Learn more about the law at the link.

Coogan was born in Los Angeles and lived in the area. As a child, he was discovered by Charlie Chaplin and appeared in The Kid. His marriage to Grable was short-lived. Read more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Coogan .

 

 

 

Mickey Rooney gets pushed around

Image and excerpt via http://www.glamoursplash.com/2014/04/rip-mickey-rooney.html .

“Mickey Rooney goes off the diving board, as Marjorie Gestring gives him a push, during Judy Garland’s birthday party at Louis B. Mayer’s Santa Monica beach home. Judy Garland, June Preisser, Jackie Cooper, and Virginia Weidler sit (L to R) behind them on the board. On the edge of the pool is Ann Rutherford.

“Judy turned 17 on this day, June 13, 1939.”

Garland is sitting on the diving board just to the right of Gestring.

 

Douglas B-23 bomber takes off

Image from the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Dayton, Ohio via https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=1591 .

“The lead-up to World War 2 for the United States saw a period of constant progression for its bomber force…  [The B-23] prototype went airborne for the first time on July 27th, 1939 – just months ahead of the official start of World War 2 in Europe (September 1st). Serial production was begun that same month and ended in September of 1940 with all 38 aircraft completed.

“By the time of the American entry into the war [in 1941], the B-23 had already met its performance match as newer, better medium types were taken into USAAC service. As such, the B-23 was never seen as an active combat performer during the war but instead relegated for service use as a trainer, stateside maritime patrol, and transport.”

Excerpt from https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=1591 .

“The maiden flight of the B-23 took place from Clover Field at Santa Monica on July 27, 1939. After being evaluated by the Materiel Division at Wright Field in Ohio, the B-23 entered service with the 89th Reconnaissance Squadron based at March Field in California.”

Excerpt from http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_bombers/b23.html .