The Fatty Arbuckle case (1962)

prosecution to describe Arbuckle were "vulgar" and "savage." Arbuckle's description of himself was one of chivalry and considerationHe had perfect composure. He appeared thinner, which might have been due to a tighter-fitting, dark, singlebreasted suit He spoke slowly and quiedy. There never was any loss of control, or emotion, in his voice. He knew, as did his attorneys, that the case could hang on what he said and the impression he made. He sat with his hands folded in his lap while McNab led him into his account: "Mr. Arbuckle, you've heard a lot of conjecture and rumor and guesses as to what happened in your bedroom on the night of September 10th. You're the only one who really knows what happened. W ould you tell the Court, please, exactly what did happen?" Arbuckle ran his left hand through his hair and then began confidently: "I had a few days off from film making and came to San Francisco for a rest. It has always been one of my favorite cities. I called a friend of mine, Mae Taube, and we decided some time during Labor Day I'd take her for a drive around the city. I shaved, put a robe over my pajamas and sat down to have breakfast with two of the boys who came to San Francisco with me. Then this one and that one started dropping in. Fred Fishbeck had borrowed my car and said he'd be right back. So while Mae was there we couldn't leave yet" He was slow and deliberate. "Well there were a few people in the room including Virginia Rappe who came in with some other people. Someone was playing the radio and someone was dancing, but it was quiet and orderly. Finally Fred came back and Mae suggested we go for that drive. I thought it was a good idea because it was warm and stuffy in my rooms. Well I went into the bathroom to freshen up and dress and I had trouble opening the door. Virginia Rappe was on the floor of the bathroom and she was moaning in pain. She was leaning against 104