Thelma Todd Photo

Thelma Todd with Chester Morris on her right, and husband, Pat DiCicco (1930s).

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Pat DiCicco Left $1.00

Mae ( here spelled May ) Whitehead and Pat DeCicco ( spelled DiCicco ) in a newspaper photo under a heading that he was left $1.00 in Thelma Todd's will.

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Newspaper Aricles

Some newspaper aricles.

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Hemingway Vs. DeCicco

Pat DeCicco was not on the best of terms with a great many people. It comes as no great surprise that he did not get along with Ernest Hemingway, either.

THE OGDEN STANDARD-EXAMINER 10 July 1961

SPORTS HIGHWAY WITH AL WARDEN Ernest Hemingway Tried to Kayo Devlin in N.Y. Drills He didn't know him as the winner of a Pulitzer Prize or of a Nobel Prize (1954) for his novels. Or writer of two short stories with boxing background, Take Nothing" and "Twenty Grand". New Yorker Jimmy Devlin knew Ernest Hemingway as a robust, .bearded 200-pounder who joyfully tried to knock him out three to four times a week during the many years they boxed together. There was no 'Papa' Jazz in George Brown's .Gym on West 57th Street, New York, where the author trained from 1939 'till its closing in 1956, with time out for World War n and Africa-traipsing. New York sports writer Lester Bromberg- provides the rest of the story as'follows: "It was Ernie to some and Mr. Hemingway to others but, by either name, he was just as rough, according to Devlin, boxing instructor . at Brown's, former pro lightweight in England and here with a 50-4-2 record. "He.always boxed barefoot," re- pouted Jimmy, now a New York State Athletic Commission referee. "He loved to hit and kept coming at you out of a bob and weave. "His favorite punch was a right hand to the body, a three-quarters hook. He nailed me under the heart with it every now and then and I tell you it hurt." In the early .1940s he was "as hard as a rock, had fantastic endurance." Devlin remembered. "He would go three rounds with George, a fine boxing teacher from Philadelphia. Jack O'Brien's, old place and a big man. Then he'd take me on for speed, -two, three rounds."  "To the best of Jimmy's knowledge, ' Hemingway never boxed in competition. "But I'm sure he flattened many a fresh guy in his time. . ... Once, I recall, Pat DeCicco, a 6-4 guy, who used, to come around the gym, .hit a bellhop in a hotel and, when he heard about it, he boiled, he wanted to get DeCicco to box with him but DeCicco would not go for it." "After his plane crash in 1955 in Africa, in which 'he was injured, Hemingway slowed down some, Devlin conceded. But he still boxed and continued his exercise routine which included 200 leg-ups on table and punching the heavy bag "He didn't like the speed bag, Jimmy said, "too tricky and no enough to hit at for him." "By this time he had a bit of a belly." he added, "but you could not hurt him hitting there. It was as hard as a steel drum." "Of all the professional fighter: Hemingway felt closest to Rocky Marciano, Devlin pointed out. "Be cause that was the way he saw boxing, a hit-and-get-hit game with guts and condition the thing that counted."  "Jimmy's he replied to a question as whether he was a 'paid' sparring "Mr. Hemingway gave $20 every time we boxed, every Christmas there was a C in an envelope for me." "Devlin was standing near the of his Tuxedo Ballroom on St. as he'd talked. "Mr. Hemingway wouldn't have been fond of dance hall. No fights. Everybody is to peaceable here . . never forget him, even if I read his books." NOTES ON A NAPKIN The Intermountain Network will all of the 1S61 Air Force football games, Lynn L. president of the network announces. KLO will be included in the games. Air Force has gone big time in and will play such formidable opponents as UCLA, SMU, Maryland and California in 1961. Fifty-six stations will carry the play by play. Fred Leo, veteran sportscaster and Roger Daugherty, former Ail- at Washington State, will the games. - Twenty of the top- sports writers the United States will be on report the Gene Fullmer-Florentino Fernandez middleweight title bout -at Ogden Stadium the night 5. The list will include Lester of the New York World Sun, Jack Cuddy of United Press International, Harry Grayson of NEA Service, Jimmy Cannon of the New York Journal American and Bob Meyers of the- Press. Paul Pender is a 7-5 favorite to his two-state middleweight title when he meets Terry Downs England in London Tuesday evening. If Feeder wins he plans to up the gloves until 1962 . of Uncle Sam's tax bite. · · Contrary to some reports, Jack the Manassa Mauler and heavyweight boxing champion of the world is not interested in United States commissioner of boxing. Authority: Dempsey himself. Jack Many Gunners Shine at n Traps January Simmons, Bill Heiter, Niles Skip Mencimer, Hoot Skinner



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Lucille Ball And The Untouchables

Lucille Ball was around some underworld characters in the 1930's when she was a young woman.

Lucille Ball in 1930.

She dated Pat DeCicco while she was working as a model in New York in that period. Pat DeCicco was someone who was associated with Thelma Todd as well as the underworld.

Thelma Todd with Pat DeCicco.

Lucille Ball was also associated with George Raft, who she knew in Hollywood.

Lucille Ball, George Raft, Virginia Pine (and her daughter Joanie) and Mack Gray (April 25, 1935).
Mack Gray was one of Raft's friends who also had underworld connections.



Lucille Ball had some success in the movies, but later found greater fame on television in I LOVE LUCY, which costarred her real-life husband Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and William Frawley.

Beginning in 1955 Lucille Ball's clothes on the show were designed by Edward Stevenson, who used to make clothes for Thelma Todd in the thirties. Stevenson had designed clothing for Lucille Ball in the movies and would continue working for her for the rest of his life.

Although the program consisted mainly of more or less innocuous comedy, one episode did pit Lucille Ball against an Italian peasant woman in a conflict which in retrospect could be said to foreshadow her involvement in a television program involving Italian gangsters.

THE UNTOUCHABLES was another story, but it was produced by Desilu, as the production company headed by Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball was called. THE UNTOUCHABLES  began in 1959 as a two-part episode on CBS's WESTINGHOUSE DESILU PLAYHOUSE.

Photo of the cast for The Untouchables as seen on Desilu Playhouse: Only Robert Stack (third from left) and Abel Fernandez (second from right) were used in the actual television series. Keenan Wynn is seen here at the right of Robert Stack, Peter Leeds (who played LaMarr Kane, replaced in the series by Chuck Hicks) is to the right of Wynn, and TV's Kit Carson, Bill Williams as Marty Flaherty (replaced by Jerry Paris in the series), is on the far right. Actor Paul Dubov, who played Jack Rossman (replaced in the series by Steve London), is missing from this photo.


The two parts were later combined to make a feature film which was released to theaters.

Barbara Nichols as "Brandy LaFrance", a fictional thirties blonde. 

Barbara Nichols with Neville Brande, who played Al Capone.



Barbara Nichols reprised her role on the first episode of the regular series, "The Empty Chair". The title referred to the absence of Al Capone from his position as the head of the Chicago mob. The other gangsters continued their operations without him and Elliot Ness continued to oppose them. Ness attempted to turn the gangsters against each other and then sought the assistance of Brandy LaFrance, the niece of Jake Guzik, who had been Capone's accountant

.

Reblogged from http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/File:UntouchColt08-101a.jpg

This is a 25 caliber Colt pocket pistol. In the program Elliot Ness gives one to Brandy to protect herself with.

This is the same type of gun that Rudy Schafer said that Thelma Todd had given his father to carry at the Sidewalk Cafe. 

When the gangsters are going to kill her, she uses it to defend herself with.

Hearing the shot, the Untouchables rush in and apprehend the gangsters, concluding the episode.

Joan Blondell appeared on an episode of THE UNTOUCHABLES called "The Underground Court". Joan Blondell was thought of as being the same type as Thelma Todd in the 1930's and she appeared in THE PUBLIC ENEMY, which was one of the most famous gangster movies of all time. Her sister Gloria Blondell was at one time married to Cubby Broccoli, who was Pat DeCicco's cousin. 

                              Robert Stack and Joan Blondell on THE UNTOUCHABLES.


Stock footage of the Morro Castle burning was used on this episode, which involved a gangster who swam ashore from the stricken ship with records of underworld transactions. Once ashore he let it be known that the information would be turned over to the authorities in the event of his death, which he regarded as protection from his former comrades.

This being a show where crime didn't pay, he paid for his crimes by the end of the episode, in spite of this protection from the mob.


Lucille Ball did not herself appear on THE UNTOUCHABLES, but she appeared in a parody on THE LUCY SHOW called "Lucy The Gun Moll" on March 4, 1966. Robert Stack and Bruce Gordon played the same characters that they had on THE UNTOUCHABLES, although their characters were called "Agent Briggs" and "Big Nick" instead of "Elliot Ness" and "Frank Nitti".

Reblogged from https://papermoonloveslucy.tumblr.com/post/161618555153/lucy-the-gun-moll

This program ends with Lucy making peace, so that everyone can live happily ever after. A somewhat more pleasant end for the underworld character than they generally had received on THE UNTOUCHABLES.


















Lucille Ball:
benny-drinnon.blogspot.com/2015/08/lucille-ball.html

Lucille Ball Autobiography Mention Of Dating Pat DeCicco:
https://books.google.com/books?id=t-o4DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT50&lpg=PT50&dq=pat+dicicco+lucille+ball&source=bl&ots=yPwddMmMvu&sig=ACfU3U0upSffjuvGvV8BV_wH63Bl4QW7Iw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj6wbS95ITgAhUGRKwKHWgLBn84ChDoATABegQICRAB#v=onepage&q=pat%20dicicco%20lucille%20ball&f=false

Lucy The Gun Moll:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0637504/

https://papermoonloveslucy.tumblr.com/post/161618555153/lucy-the-gun-moll

Desilu:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desilu_Productions

Mack Gray:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0336796/

Hollywood And The Underworld:
http://benny-drinnon.blogspot.com/2018/09/hollywood-and-underworld_9.html

George Raft:
http://benny-drinnon.blogspot.com/2013/10/george-raft.html

Edward Stevenson:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0828926/

THE UNTOUCHABLES:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Untouchables_(1959_TV_series)

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Pat DeCicco And His Pals

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John Austin termed him a "Bootlegger and Pimp for Louis Meyer".

Michael P. Lentz termed him "A louse & sponge if ever there was one."

I would be hard pressed to improve on that, but I can put in a little more.



We'll start with Wikipedia:

Pat DiCicco

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pat DiCicco
Born	Pasquale DeCicco (1909-02-14)February 14, 1909 Queens, New York, U.S.
Died	October 24, 1978(1978-10-24) (aged 69) New York, New York, U.S.
Other names	The Glamour Boy of Hollywood
Occupation	Agent, movie producer
Spouse(s)	Thelma Todd (m. 1932; div. 1934) Gloria Vanderbilt (m. 1941; div. 1945) Mary Jo Tarola (m. 1953; div. 1960)

Pasquale "Pat" DiCicco (February 14, 1909 – October 24, 1978) was an American agent and movie producer, as well as an alleged mobster working for Lucky Luciano.^[1] He married and divorced both Thelma Todd and Gloria Vanderbilt. He was a cousin of Albert R. Broccoli and gave him his well-known nickname "Cubby."

Personal life

Todd's marriage in 1932 to DiCicco was particularly unstable and frequently erupted in drunken brawls, one of which resulted in a broken nose for DiCicco and an emergency appendectomy for Todd.^[2] They divorced in 1934. Todd died a year later from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.
At 17 years old, Gloria Vanderbilt went to Hollywood, where she married DiCicco in 1941.^[3] DiCicco proved to be a temperamental and abusive husband who called her "Fatsy Roo," and regularly beat her. "He would take my head and bang it against the wall," Vanderbilt said. "I had black eyes."^[4] They divorced in 1945.^[5]
In 1953, DiCicco married actress Mary Jo Tarola (born February 27, 1928), also known by her stage name, Linda Douglas. The marriage lasted seven years before ending in divorce in 1960.

Ted Healy incident

DiCicco is alleged to have been involved in an altercation with comedian Ted Healy just before the latter's death in 1937.
A source alleged that actor Wallace Beery, producer Albert R. Broccoli, and Broccoli's cousin, agent/producer Pat DiCicco beat Healy so badly that he fell into a coma and died.^[6] While there is no documentation in contemporaneous news reports that either Beery or DiCicco was present, Broccoli admitted that he was indeed involved in a fist fight with Healy at the Trocadero.^[7] He later modified his story, stating that a heavily intoxicated Healy had picked a fight with him, the two had briefly scuffled, then shook hands and parted ways.^[8] In other reports, Broccoli admitted to pushing Healy, but not striking him.^[9]
There is disagreement over whether Healy died as a result of the brawl or due to his well-known alcoholism.^[1] Because of the authorities' lack of interest in investigating Healy's death, an autopsy was not performed until after Healy's corpse had been embalmed; rendering the examiner's note that Healy's organs were "soaked in alcohol" and useless in determining a cause of death.^[1]
Following the autopsy, the Los Angeles county coroner reported that Healy died of acute toxic nephritis secondary to acute and chronic alcoholism. Police closed their investigation, as there was no indication in the report that his death was caused by physical assault.^[9]

References

1. ^ Jump up to: ^{a b c} Braund, Simon (June 2010). "The Tragic And Twisted Tale Of The Three Stooges". Empire Magazine. Retrieved 19 August 2015. 
2. Jump up ^ "Who killed the Ice Cream Blonde?". Santa Monica Daily Press. May 19, 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2015. 
3. Jump up ^ Vanderbilt, Gloria (2004). ""The Great Thing" (4)". It Seemed Important at the Time: A Romance Memoir. Rockefeller Center, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020: Simon & Schuster. p. 31. ISBN 0-7432-6480-0. 
4. Jump up ^ Last of the big spenders. Telegraph UK 11/23/2004
5. Jump up ^ Vanderbilt, Gloria. ""Happy Birthday" (6)". It Seemed Important at the Time: A Romance Memoir. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. p. 36. ISBN 0-7432-6480-0. 
6. Jump up ^ Fleming, E.J. (2004). The Fixers: Eddie Mannix, Howard Strickling, and the MGM Publicity Machine. McFarland. pp. 174–177. ISBN 978-0-7864-2027-8. 
7. Jump up ^ staff (December 23, 1937). "Wealthy Sportsman Confesses Fight with Ted Healy". The Oxnard Daily Courier. p. 1. Retrieved May 15, 2013. 
8. Jump up ^ Cassara, Bill (2014). Nobody's Stooge: Ted Healy. BearManor Media. ISBN 1593937687. 
9. ^ Jump up to: ^{a b} "Ted Healy Died of Toxic Nephritis". Lewiston Evening Journal. December 23, 1937. p. 8. Retrieved May 15, 2013. 

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Occasionally we come across the story that Pat DeCicco was working for Lucky Luciano.  There is no proof of this. It is more likely that DeCicco was only a small-timer who was not directly associated with Luciano even though he was involved in the same line of business and started out in the same part of the country.

The imdb has the following trivia item for Pat DeCicco:

Acted as procurer for Howard Hughes and Joseph Schenk while acting nominally as a talent agent.

The association of DeCicco with Howard Hughes is well known, and remarked upon by Jane Russell in her autobiography. She said something to the effect that Howard Hughes didn't want her to become involved with him.

The story about Ted Healy is unproven, as is the allegation that Healy had an affair with Thelma Todd, which is part of the same package. But to get back to Thelma Todd -

It seemed to begin all at once. Thelma Todd and Pat DeCicco suddenly eloped to Arizona, where it was easier to get married right away.

Pat DeCicco, Jean Malin, Thelma Todd, and Lois Wilson at the Club New Yorker, 1932. The wife of Jean Malin was involved in prostitution, like DeCicco.

This caption claimed that DeCicco was from Argentina. He wasn't, but that didn't keep them from telling people that. It was a recurring story in Thelma Todd's publicity. Another story was that DeCicco was an Italian count, and that because of that Thelma Todd was a countess.  

At the Brown Derby.

 This one seems to be at the Brown Derby, too. Chester Morris is at left.

Pat DeCicco and Thelma Todd ( center ) at the Coconut Grove.

At the Mayfair opening, 1933.

At the Cameramen's Ball, 1933.

At the premiere of the movie CAVALCADE, 1933.

Thelma Todd and Pat DeCicco with Phil Harris.

Phil Harris later married Alice Faye.

There were rumors that a divorce was imminent after Thelma Todd took a trip to England in 1933.

Thelma Todd filed for divorce in 1934. The divorce became final the following year.

March 2, 1934: Thelma Todd is granted a divorce.

Divorces in Hollywood were quite common, as can be seen by the names on the list.



After the death of Thelma Todd, Pat DeCicco was called back to testify before the grand jury. Here, he bids his mother farewell.

Jeanette Meehan said in a newspaper article that DeCicco had never taken Thelma Todd to Long Island to meet his family, claiming that she was too busy.  

DeCicco photographed during the investigation.

DeCicco was believed to have been one of the last people to have seen Thelma Todd alive., because he had shown up during the Lupino's party at the Trocadero. With him was Margaret Lindsay, who recently had made the movie BORDERTOWN with Paul Muni and Bette Davis.

That movie had a "garage murder" in it. People wondered if that could possibly have some connection with the death of Thelma Todd, since she had been found dead in a garage of carbon monoxide poisoning. 

No one was able to prove anything.

The historical record shows that Pat DeCicco lied about how recently he'd been around Thelma Todd, and how often. He told reporters he hadn't seen her for a year, and that he had last seen her at the Venodome.* 

From PHOTOPLAY, early 1935

 This account mentions him having been around Thelma Todd at the Trocadero earlier in 1935. Jeanette Meehan said that he had been telling his family that Thelma Todd wanted to "patch things up". Some people thought that DeCicco had been trying to get her back. 

Ted Healy had a run-in at the Trocadero a couple of years or so afterwards. Accounts differ as to whether or not this caused Healy's death. That story was in this book.

The story that Ted Healy was involved with Thelma Todd is in this book, too. But we find no mention of this affair from the period in which it was supposed to have taken place. 

The official Carole Landis site says at http://carolelandisofficial.blogspot.com/2011/11/myths-about-carole.html that Pat DeCicco, who was her boyfriend at the time, broke her nose. I didn't know ( or remember ) that story, but I wouldn't put it past him. He used to beat up Thelma Todd when he was married to her. Gloria Vanderbilt, too.

Carole Landis and Victor Mature in ONE MILLION BC. Reblogged from http://www.suspense-movies.com/stars/carole-landis/landis27.html

I guess "Director" sounded better than "Pimp", "Go-Fer", and similar titles for what in current parlance might be termed "Associates".

Pat DeCicco was the "Black Knight" the title referred to.

Some of the things she said about him were not good. She not only said that she had been told that he had killed Thelma Todd, but that he tried to kill her as well. This marriage ended in divorce, the same as the previous one. 

Pat DeCicco with Gorgeous Gussie.

Gorgeous Gussie was one of a great many women whose name was linked with his in later years.

But the last one to marry him was Mary Jo Tarola, in 1953.

Like his two previous marriages, it didn't last.

Pat DeCicco was not important in the underworld or the motion picture industry, and was known only as someone who was around the rich and famous. Today he is remembered mainly for the women he was associated with. 

*When he was summoned by the grand jury, DeCicco testified that "I saw her only about five times in the last two years, after we divorced". He also said that "There was no possibility of any reconciliation between us, and I made no overtures in that line." 

Both statements contradicted what he had previously represented as the truth.

*                 *                *

Rudy Schafer was the son of the manager of Thelma Todd's Sidewalk Café. In his later years he was able to communicate with me by e mail. What he told me about Pat DeCicco wasn't good. 

He said, "I met Pat Diccio (sp) once, but didn't know him.  The talk I heard was that he was rough on her and presumably beat her. There much sympathy for her on this score.

All I recall about this was from conversations I overheard at my grandparents home ( they raised me ) around the Sunday dinner table.  The family usually got together then.  The talk was that he was a sleaze ball and that he treated Thelma badly--verbally and physically.  I have no specifics."

*                   *                   *

Although usually cast in some role other than "actor",  Pat DeCicco did act in one movie, 1935's NIGHT LIFE OF THE GODS. In this movie he was one of the Greek gods who came to life when a magic potion was used on their statues.

We see him here at right with the wicked-looking blade with which he was supposed to have whacked off the head of Medusa. And we can watch this movie online now that it has been put on youtube.

Watch THE NIGHT LIFE OF THE GODS 

Wedding of Pat DeCicco and Gloria Vanderbilt

BORDERTOWN:

http://benny-drinnon.blogspot.com/2015/06/bordertown.html

 Carole Landis Site Says DiCicco broke her nose:

http://carolelandisofficial.blogspot.com/2011/11/myths-about-carole.html

Pat DeCicco:

http://www.glamourgirlsofthesilverscreen.com/show/66/Pat++DiCicco/

http://www.geni.com/people/Pasquale-Pat-DiCicco/6000000007171275211

Pat DeCicco as Perseus in THE NIGHT LIFE OF THE GODS:

benny-drinnon.blogspot.com/2012/11/pat-di-cicco-as-perseus-in-night-life.htm

Pat DeCicco in the news:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1917&dat=19460930&id=zRwqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k4YFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3014,3336163

https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DU4bAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dUwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2297%2C1487892

https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qGBSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=x3oDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6929%2C1654115

https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=V6IkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OvoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5787%2C3668569

https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PuogAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SW4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=2745%2C3053633

DeCicco Bon-Bons:

https://benny-drinnon.blogspot.com/2019/01/decicco-bon-bons.html

Ted Healy:

http://hollywoodessays.com/2013/01/06/did-the-creator-of-the-bond-movies-kill-the-creator-of-the-3-stooges/

https://books.google.com/books?id=u30zCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT242&lpg=PT242&dq=pat+dicicco+and+errol+flynn&source=bl&ots=6Wc9j_gb7P&sig=HOqKKZj4h-Hl50bCwcL5l3mvlZc&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwievtzRsYjdAhVRZKwKHVgBA3AQ6AEwDXoECAsQAQ#v=onepage&q=pat%20dicicco%20and%20errol%20flynn&f=false

Virginia Hill:

http://www.theerrolflynnblog.com/2016/11/19/egged-by-the-mob/

Howard Hughes:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0400652/?ref_=nmbio_bio_nm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Hughes

Patsy Kelly and Jean Malin:

http://benny-drinnon.blogspot.com/2012/09/patsy-faces-death.html

George Raft:

benny-drinnon.blogspot.com/2013/10/george-raft.html

Mary Jo Tarola:

http://www.glamourgirlsofthesilverscreen.com/show/667/Mary+Jo+Tarola/index.html

Thelma Todd article by Jeanette Meehan, Part II:

http://benny-drinnon.blogspot.com/2014/10/thelma-todd-by-jeanette-meehan-part-ii.html

Gloria Vanderbilt and Pat DiCicco

http://benny-drinnon.blogspot.com/2012/12/gloria-vanderbilt-and-pat-dicicco.html

Gloria Bullfinch and Prince Del Slimo in Wonder Woman comics:

http://benny-drinnon.blogspot.com/2013/04/gloria-bullfinch-and-prince-del-slimo.html

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