In this episode of Crime Time, Inc., we delve into the infamous Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle case from the 1920s. Arbuckle, a comedic superstar earning a million dollars a year, saw his career implode following a Labor Day party in 1921 at the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. The scandal centered around the tragic death of aspiring actress Virginia Rappe, who fell ill at the party and died a few days later. Arbuckle faced manslaughter charges, driven by accusations from Rappe's friend Maud Delmont, leading to three intense and highly publicized trials. Despite Arbuckle's eventual acquittal, his career and public image were irreparably damaged due to conflicting witness accounts, media sensationalism, and a societal backlash against Hollywood's perceived immorality. The episode also examines the intricate human dynamics and motives of key figures such as Delmont and Rappe's ex-fiancé, Henry Lerman. Ultimately, this case serves as a cautionary tale about the power of media, the complexity of justice, and the fragile nature of fame.
00:00 Introduction to the Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle Case
00:40 The Fateful Labor Day Party
01:02 Virginia Rappe's Tragic Story
01:30 Conflicting Accounts and Media Frenzy
02:28 The Accusations Against Arbuckle
05:26 The Trials and Legal Battles
10:28 The Aftermath and Arbuckle's Struggle
14:23 Lessons from the Arbuckle Scandal
18:46 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Episodes
About Crime Time Inc.
Crime Time Inc. is hosted by Tom and Simon—two ex-cops with decades of frontline experience and zero tolerance for fluff. Tom, a by-the-book former Deputy Chief Constable from Edinburgh, and Simon, a rule-bending ex-undercover cop from Glasgow, bring sharp insight, dark humour, and plenty of East vs. West banter to every episode.
Whether they’re revisiting cases they worked on, grilling fellow former officers, or picking apart narrated true crime stories, Tom and Simon don’t just talk about crime—they’ve lived it. Real cases. Real cops. Real talk.
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