- Rosita Marstini
Rosita Marstini (
September 19 ,1887 –April 24 ,1948 ) was a dancer, stage personality, silent and sound film actress fromNancy, France .Theatrical work in California
She began making movies for
Universal Pictures in 1913 with her first feature being "A Prisoner in the Harem". She was known as Countess Rosita Marstini. In 1916, she debuted at the Pantages Theater inLos Angeles, California in "Woman's Wits", a play by Will Wyatt. She played the Pantages' circuit for an additional eight months.Film credits
Among her many films include "The Innocent Sinner" (1917), "Madame Du Barry" (1917), "The Veiled Adventure" (1919), "Widow By Proxy (1919), "The Evil Eye" (1920), "The Big Parade" (1925), "Mexicana" (1945), and "Casbah" (1948).
Involvement in murder investigation
Miss Marstini was mentioned in news items after the body of Harry I. Katz was discovered at the door of his luxurious apartment in
Los Angeles onNovember 10 ,1924 . Katz was a wealthy musician and society figure who was murdered by gunshot. Rosita was traced to him by notes she had written which were discovered in the dead man's residence. In one communication she referred to herself as "that bad woman Rosita."Fact|date=January 2008Reports by newspapersweasel-inline revealed that Marstini was engaged to Katz. She claimed to have not seen him for a week. The victim was known to carry large amounts of money and may have been in possession of the
Crown jewels ofRussia . The gems disappeared following the assassinations ofCzar Nicholas II and his family. Aside from jewels, Katz was thought to have been wealthy from large profits in real estate and sales of liquor. Police surmised that his murder was the act of anunderworld figure who was seeking revenge.Fact|date=January 2008Prior to her death Rosita resided in Los Angeles for 33 years. She died in 1948 at the age of 54. Her funeral was conducted in Pierce Brothers Hollywood Chapel.
References
*
Los Angeles Times , "Rialto",September 14 ,1916 , Page II3.
*Los Angeles Times, "Rosita Marstini",April 27 ,1948 , Page A12.
*Sheboygan, Wisconsin Press-Telegram, "Did Hollywood Mystery Man Forecast Own Murder? His Music Yields Clue", Wednesday,November 19 ,1924 , Page 3.
*Woodland, California Daily Democrat, "Women Thought To Have Killed Society Musician", Tuesday,November 11 ,1924 .
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