The Mysterious Life And Death Of Thelma Todd: A Hollywood Legend

In the vibrant year of 1934, Thelma Todd’s Sidewalk Café emerged as the go-to hotspot along Los Angeles’ iconic Pacific Coast Highway. Nestled in a stunning Spanish-style building, this venue was more than just a café—it was a hub of entertainment. The establishment featured a high-end dining restaurant that served luxurious dishes like lobster and oysters, a lively ballroom with a bandstand for dancing, and an exclusive nightclub called Joya’s. Thelma, the café’s co-owner and namesake, hosted extravagant parties here, making it a place where the stars of Hollywood mingled and celebrated.

Thelma Todd, originally from Massachusetts, arrived in Hollywood at the tender age of 19 with dreams as big as the city itself. For her, the café wasn’t just a business venture; it was her retirement plan. As Michelle Morgan, author of The Ice Cream Blonde: The Whirlwind Life and Mysterious Death of Screwball Comedienne Thelma Todd, explains, "Thelma cherished her acting career, but she was smart enough to realize that Hollywood careers were fleeting." Her vision for the café was to provide financial stability as she aged. "She wanted something that would support her long after the cameras stopped rolling," Morgan adds.

Unfortunately, Thelma's dreams didn't unfold as she had hoped. On December 16, 1935, her lifeless body was found behind the wheel of her Lincoln convertible, parked in the garage of her lover. Her death, caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, was initially labeled as a suicide. However, a grand jury later reclassified it as an accident. "Hollywood was terrified of another celebrity murder scandal," Morgan explains. "It was far easier for everyone involved to sweep it under the rug." But was it really an accident? Or was there more to the story?

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Thelma's café wasn't just a beacon of glamour—it was also a target for the wrong kind of attention. "When Thelma opened the café, local gangsters saw it as the perfect spot to set up illegal gambling tables," Morgan reveals. But Thelma wasn't interested in being involved with that side of the business. Her refusal to cooperate made her a threat, and she began receiving ominous letters threatening her life. "She was a strong woman who stood her ground, but it came at a cost," Morgan says.

Unpacking the Enigma of Thelma Todd's Death

Just two days before her untimely demise, on December 14, Thelma attended a party held in her honor at the Trocadero restaurant by Stanley Lupino and his daughter, Ida. Despite a minor disagreement with her ex-husband, Pat DiCicco, at the venue, she appeared to be in great spirits. "Thelma was a remarkable woman," Morgan recalls. "She was outspoken, generous, and always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need." Known for her love of socializing, Thelma opted to stay at the party when her married lover and café co-owner, director Roland West, decided to head home.

Thelma's night took a tragic turn when her chauffeur dropped her off at the apartment she shared with West around 4 a.m., only to find the door locked. Dressed in a delicate evening gown, she reportedly climbed 270 stairs up the palisades to reach her car in the garage. Investigators theorized that she started the car to stay warm and accidentally asphyxiated. However, this explanation leaves many unanswered questions. "West locked the door to her apartment," Morgan points out. "That action has always raised eyebrows, especially since he slept through her desperate attempts to get inside."

The mobsters who were thwarted by Thelma's refusal to allow gambling in her café had a strong motive for wanting her out of the picture. "I firmly believe she was murdered," Morgan asserts. "The threats she received, the relentless pressure from gangsters, and the peculiar circumstances of her death all point to foul play. It's hard to imagine why Thelma would choose to climb a steep hill in the dead of night, only to fall asleep in a garage."