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The Daily Alaska Empire
Juneau, Juneau County, Alaska
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Actor Franchot Tone was arrested for battery after spitting in the face of columnist Florabel Muir at Ciro's nightclub in Hollywood, amid tensions from his recent marriage to Barbara Payton and prior romantic rivalry with Tom Neal. He demanded a jury trial on the misdemeanor charge.
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HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 30 - (AP) - Franchot Tone, the movie actor went to jail today accused of spitting in the face of a veteran movie columnist, red-haired Florabel Muir.
The booking was suspicion of battery, on a citizen's arrest signed by the newspaper and magazine writer.
The incident occurred at Ciro's night club on the Sunset Strip.
Miss Muir told police the actor new husband of actress Barbara Payton, came to her table, muttered something uncomplimentary, then said:
"Florabel, I'm so mad I could spit in your face. As a matter of fact, I will."
He did.
The columnist said she slapped him and he kicked her in the shins. She summoned sheriff's deputies who took him into custody.
Six hours later he was released on $500 bail.
Sgt. John Norris said Tone told him: "Sure I spit at her, but I didn't kick her. It's just been one provocation after another with her."
Miss Muir said Tone made no specific complaint before the fuss. Her column contained frequent references several weeks ago to Tone's celebrated clash with actor Tom Neal over Miss Payton's affections.
He took a thorough beating from the athletic young Neal, but won the heroine at the finish.
Married in her home town of Cloquet, Minn., they returned to Hollywood yesterday. She has been on a personal appearance tour.
DEMANDS JURY TRIAL
HOLLYWOOD. Oct. 30 - (AP) - Franchot Tone demanded a jury trial today on charges that he spit in the face of columnist Florabel Muir in a night club encounter.
The actor and the red-haired writer faced each other without a word between them in Beverly Hills justice court.
When the case finally was called - a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery - lawyer Leis said Tone was pleading innocent and requested a jury trial.
Trial was set for Dec. 11 and the $500 bail was continued.
Tone said previously that he would tell his story in court. He was arrested on Miss Muir's citizen's complaint.
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Location
Hollywood, Ciro's Night Club On The Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills Justice Court
Event Date
Oct. 30
Story Details
Franchot Tone, newly married to Barbara Payton, spat in columnist Florabel Muir's face at Ciro's nightclub after provocations from her columns about his rivalry with Tom Neal; she slapped him, he allegedly kicked her, leading to his arrest for battery, release on bail, and demand for jury trial set for Dec. 11.