Friday, May 18, 2018

Dangerous Obsession...!

We have all seen cases where an obsession has caused terrible and sometimes deadly results.

Although we often don't understand what led to the obsession, this particular case is one that we know the cause.

An Obsession Turned Dangerous



Photo credit: Harris & Ewing

Stalkers and deranged fans are another concern that celebrities have to deal with. John Lennon, Selena, and Dimebag Darrell are just a few entertainers who were killed by people obsessed with them. Many others were put in physical danger. And, as it turns out, this happened in the Golden Age of Hollywood as well.

We go back to Shirley Temple, who had a very close call when she was just ten years old. It was 1939, and Shirley was performing Silent Night on a live radio show when a woman tried to assassinate her. Fortunately, the would-be assassin was subdued in time.
Tragically, the woman’s daughter had passed away on the same day (allegedly the same hour) that Shirley Temple was born. Since then, she became obsessed with the idea that her daughter’s soul was trapped in the child star’s body and that she would be setting it free by killing the actress.

As far as Temple was concerned, she sympathized with her would-be killer. In her autobiography, she said that “the tale seemed understandable to me.”


We too often think that mental illness can affect the young and old, rich or poor, famous and not-so-famous equally. I feel that we often don't do enough, but what do I know?

Coffee inside today. Just too hot do do the patio thing.

10 comments:

Mamahen said...

Wow I had never heard that. I am very glad was ok, but how sad for the stalker who lost her child. The kitchen is nice too when the weather doesn't cooperate:))

HermitJim said...

Hey Mamahen...
As you know, I'm just a warehouse of almost useless info. Just wanted to share this little tidbit.
Thanks for coming over today!

linda m said...

I never heard that story before. Glad it had a happy ending. Mental illness can strike anyone at any age. Yet, unfortunately we do very little to help these people. So sad. Coffee in the kitchen is just fine with me. Have a great weekend.

Momlady said...

I'm sure there are other stories we haven't heard about. Strange how one could become so obsessed. The mind is hard to understand.

HermitJim said...

Hey Linda...
Mental illness is like most illnesses, affecting all ages.
Thanks for stopping by today!


Hey Momlady...
Obsession is strange in so many ways. I agree that the mind is very hard to understand.
Thanks for coming over today!

Rob said...

Dimebag Darrel?

HermitJim said...

Hey Rob...
He was a musician and founder of the group DamageControl, killed in 2004. I had to look him up myself.
Thanks for the visit today!

JO said...

I agree there isn't enough done for the mentally ill. I figured dime bag had to be a recent one, never heard of DamageControl.

Kitchen is fine, our mornings are still really nice.

Dizzy-Dick said...

Sometimes I believe that there is a little bit of crazy in all of use, well maybe not you and me, but every one else (grin).

HermitJim said...

Hey Jo...
Getting hotter here on the Gulf Coast, let me tell ya.
Thanks, sweetie, for dropping by today!


Hey Dizzy...
I do believe that you are right about that, sir. At least most of us are not completely over the edge...yet!
Thanks for the visit, Dizzy!