Original Leo Cotton Ink Drawing Of Hollywood Actress Dorothy MacKaye

Los Angeles, 1927; Original Leo Cotton pen and ink drawing of Dorothy MacKaye, notorious actress at the center of the scandal that rocked Hollywood in 1927 when her husband, musical comedy star Ray Raymond, was beaten to death by popular actor Paul Kelly, with whom McKaye was involved in a love triangle. While serving time in San Quentin for her part in the crime, MacKaye wrote "Women In Prison," which in 1933 was made into the Warner Bros. film "Ladies They Talk About," starring Barbara Stanwyck and Preston Foster, and again in 1942 as "Lady Gangster," with Faye Emerson and Jackie Gleason. Artist Leo Cotton (1880-1946) was longtime art director of the Los Angeles Examiner where his illustrations for years were a regular feature of the newspaper’s format. In the fine arts arena he is noted for his California landscape paintings, in particular those of the Palm Springs desert region. Drawn on heavy stock and dated on the back 5-29-27, at the time of the trial. Signed by the artist at lower right. An original ink drawing from Examiner archives, not a reproduction. Hinged and matted acid free, ready for framing. Full matted size 14" x 17", image area 6" x 10", paper size 9" x 12". A telling portrait of the accused actress caught in an enigmatic gaze, reflective of the overall mood of the case and trial. Fine condition.