Mundin Memories by Bob Harrison
For five months prior to his death on March 4th, 1939, Herbert lived three blocks from our home and we saw him often. He had an apartment in Major’s Motor Court on Cahuenga Blvd, near what is now the Barham Blvd. on ramp to the Hollywood Freeway. I remember Herbert as being a great storyteller and a very funny man. I also remember attending gatherings in Herbert’s apartment that were attended by Major Goodsell, the owner of the motel; George Zaharias, a professional wrestler and the husband of Babe Didrikson Zaharias, the champion golfer; Evelyn Fontain, a very nice looking blond, who was Herbert’s girlfriend; my father, mother and others.
Left: Herbert Mundin with Bob Harrison's mother; Right : With Bob's Uncle Luard - both taken January 14th, 1939
My father, who was English, came to Hollywood in the early 1930s. He knew Herbert through my grandfather H. Scott-Leslie, who had helped Herbert get started on the stage in a concert party. During the early '30s, Herbert lived in a very nice house on Doheny Drive next to Beverly Hills and for a short time my father worked as his chauffeur. In 1938 my father wrote a skit for Herbert for his appearance on the Rudy Vallée radio show.
Left: Herbert outside 3210 Ellington Drive, Hollywood 1/14/39; Right: Bob's father Hugh Harrison in 1945
He also enclosed a flower which he had taken from the grave. I also have four letters in response from Herbert’s sister, Clara Smith. In one dated August 3rd, 1939, Clara asked my father for a favour:Our hearts are broken at losing him, and my young son aged ten would spend hours just sitting and listening while Tommy, who loved children, would tell stories.
My father, of course, obliged and laid flowers on Herbert's grave and was able to send his family back in England a photograph of his memorial. Their correspondence continued into the 1940s and I have a copy of another letter from my father to Mrs. Smith, written in January 1943. By then dad had stopped working as a movie extra and had joined the publicity department of 20th Century Fox where he became a Senior Publicist. Perhaps his major claim to fame is that he suggested Marilyn Monroe at a meeting in the Twentieth Century Fox publicity department when they were brainstorming possible new names for Norma Jeane Dougherty. But that's another story!It would have been my brother's birthday on August 21st. Mother and I would be so grateful if you could put some flowers on my brother's resting place. We have no idea what the cost of flowers are in Hollywood, but, am enclosing a ten shilling note, hoping you will be able to do this kindness for us. I have always written to him for his birthday. My heart aches to think it is no use to do so again. If you have a camera, we would be so grateful for a little snap of his resting place.