John William Warde (lost television coverage of suicide of bank clerk; 1938): Difference between revisions

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(Another harrowing one, focusing on NBC's television coverage of an infamous 1930s suicide.)
 
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==Background==
==Background==
26-year-old John William Warde worked as a bank clerk in Southampton.<ref name="ledge">[https://neglectedbooks.com/The_Man_on_the_Ledge_-_Joel_Sayre.pdf ''The Man on the Ledge'' documenting the events leading up to the suicide, and the suicide itself.] Retrieved 19th Dec '22</ref> However, in July 1937, he attempted suicide via a knife.<ref name="ledge"/> After being sent to Central Islip Psychiatric Center for four months, Warde was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.<ref name="ledge"/> He would then work for the Valentines, a couple who had connections with the Wardes, and employed John as a chauffeur and handy man at their Long Island travel agency in an attempt to rebuild his life, confidence, and happiness.<ref name="resemblance">[https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Any_Resemblance_to_Actual_Persons/L5lBDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA354&printsec=frontcover ''Any Resemblance to Actual Persons'' summarising the events leading up to the suicide, and Glasco's unsuccessful attempts to save Warde.] Retrieved 19th Dec '22</ref><ref name="ledge"/> Ultimately, despite the Valentines' best efforts, Warde remained severely depressed.<ref name="ledge"/><ref name="resemblance"/> Eight days before his suicide, Warde was spotted gazing down a bridge at Hampton Bays, only to run off after a bridge tender noticed him.<ref name="ledge"/> The tender contacted the police and gave Warde's car number.<ref name="ledge"/> However, the police could do little aside from a mere "talking to" towards Warde and his relatives, as Warde did not actually attempt suicide in that incident.<ref name="ledge"/> The Valentines and Warde's sister Katherine again attempted to raise John's mental wellbeing, but all their efforts did little to tackle the root causes of his depression.<ref name="ledge"/><ref name="resemblance"/>
26-year-old John William Warde worked as a bank clerk in Southampton.<ref name="ledge">[https://neglectedbooks.com/The_Man_on_the_Ledge_-_Joel_Sayre.pdf ''The Man on the Ledge'' documenting the events leading up to the suicide, and the suicide itself.] Retrieved 19th Dec '22</ref> However, in July 1937, he attempted suicide via a knife.<ref name="ledge"/> After being sent to Central Islip Psychiatric Center for four months, Warde was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.<ref name="ledge"/> He would then work for the Valentines, a couple who had connections with the Wardes and employed John as a chauffeur and handyman at their Long Island travel agency in an attempt to rebuild his life, confidence, and happiness.<ref name="resemblance">[https://google.co.uk/books/edition/Any_Resemblance_to_Actual_Persons/L5lBDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA354&printsec=frontcover ''Any Resemblance to Actual Persons'' summarising the events leading up to the suicide, and Glasco's unsuccessful attempts to save Warde.] Retrieved 19th Dec '22</ref><ref name="ledge"/> Ultimately, despite the Valentines' best efforts, Warde remained severely depressed.<ref name="ledge"/><ref name="resemblance"/> Eight days before his suicide, Warde was spotted gazing down a bridge at Hampton Bays, only to run off after a bridge tender noticed him.<ref name="ledge"/> The tender contacted the police and gave Warde's car number.<ref name="ledge"/> However, the police could do little aside from a mere "talking to" towards Warde and his relatives, as Warde did not actually attempt suicide in that incident.<ref name="ledge"/> The Valentines and Warde's sister Katherine again attempted to raise John's mental well-being, but all their efforts did little to tackle the root causes of his depression.<ref name="ledge"/><ref name="resemblance"/>


On 26th July 1938, John and Katherine were situated in their suite at Gotham Hotel, Room 1714.<ref name="ledge"/><ref name="resemblance"/> Katherine told John that he needed a doctor's appointment.<ref name="ledge"/> This however considerably upset John, who immediately refused it.<ref name="ledge"/> As Katherine and Mrs. Valentine began discussing ordering lunch, John quietly informed them "I'm going out the window", before quickly placing himself on the window ledge.<ref name="ledge"/> A horrified Katherine attempted to speak with him, but fainted at the scene.<ref name="ledge"/> A policeman on the ground spotted Warde, and instructed him to get back in the Hotel.<ref name="time">[https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,931463,00.html ''Time'' summarising the events of the suicide.] Retrieved 19th Dec '22</ref><ref name="gizmodo">[https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2013/06/weve-grappled-with-televised-death-since-the-first-tv-suicide-in-1938/ ''Gizmodo'' summarising the suicide and the television coverage of it.] Retrieved 19th Dec '22</ref><ref name="ledge"/> Warde refused and threatened to jump if the police intervened, forcing the policeman to call in emergency backup.<ref name="time"/><ref name="ledge"/><ref name="resemblance"/> Despite pleading by Mrs. Valentine and a recovered Katherine, the latter joining John on the ledge with a rope tied around her waist, nothing could seemingly be done to tempt Warde back in.<ref name="ledge"/><ref name="resemblance"/><ref name="time"/> Comments from Warde signified he did not want to return to the Central Islip Psychiatric Center, and was suspicious relatives and emergency workers would send him there if he backed out.<ref name="ledge"/><ref name="time"/>
On 26th July 1938, John and Katherine were situated in their suite at Gotham Hotel, Room 1714.<ref name="ledge"/><ref name="resemblance"/> Katherine told John that he needed a doctor's appointment.<ref name="ledge"/> This however considerably upset John, who immediately refused it.<ref name="ledge"/> As Katherine and Mrs. Valentine began discussing ordering lunch, John quietly informed them "I'm going out the window", before quickly placing himself on the window ledge.<ref name="ledge"/> A horrified Katherine attempted to speak with him, but fainted at the scene.<ref name="ledge"/> A policeman on the ground spotted Warde, and instructed him to get back in the Hotel.<ref name="time">[https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,931463,00.html ''Time'' summarising the events of the suicide.] Retrieved 19th Dec '22</ref><ref name="gizmodo">[https://gizmodo.com.au/2013/06/weve-grappled-with-televised-death-since-the-first-tv-suicide-in-1938/ ''Gizmodo'' summarising the suicide and the television coverage of it.] Retrieved 19th Dec '22</ref><ref name="ledge"/> Warde refused and threatened to jump if the police intervened, forcing the policeman to call in emergency backup.<ref name="time"/><ref name="ledge"/><ref name="resemblance"/> Despite pleading by Mrs. Valentine and a recovered Katherine, the latter joining John on the ledge with a rope tied around her waist, nothing could seemingly be done to tempt Warde back in.<ref name="ledge"/><ref name="resemblance"/><ref name="time"/> Comments from Warde signified he did not want to return to the Central Islip Psychiatric Center and was suspicious relatives and emergency workers would send him there if he backed out.<ref name="ledge"/><ref name="time"/>


By now, 55th Street was shut, and the press had also arrived.<ref name="ledge"/> Aside from newsreel cameras capturing footage, NBC was also televising the incident from 711 Fifth Avenue.<ref name="radio">[https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Radio-Craft/1930s/Radio-Craft-1938-10.pdf October 1938 issue of ''Radio-Craft'' detailing NBC's coverage of the incident.] Retrieved 19th Dec '22</ref><ref name="gizmodo"/><ref name="ledge"/> Patrolman Charles V. Glasco then entered the hotel dressed as a civilian, and engaged in a gentle conversation with Warde, also offering him water and cigarettes.<ref name="ledge"/><ref name="resemblance"/> Warde later accepted eleven glasses of water, which were actually laced with Benzedrine.<ref name="ledge"/><ref name="time"/><ref name="resemblance"/> This was provided by psychiatrist Jacques. C. Presner, who thought the Benzedrine could raise Warde's mood.<ref name="ledge"/> Overtime, Glasco chatted with Warde about various topics, like sports, picnics, and Glasco's new "job" as a bellhop for Gotham Hotel that he feared he would lose were Warde to commit suicide.<ref name="ledge"/><ref name="resemblance"/> Glasco continued communicating with Warde, with the latter even telling the patrolman a secret that he order the "bellhop" never to reveal to others.<ref name="resemblance"/> It appeared Glasco's chat with Warde worked, as the latter began to enter the hotel.<ref name="resemblance"/> However, a photographer suddenly entered 1714 and took photos, upsetting Warde and causing him to retreat back to the ledge.<ref name="resemblance"/>
By now, 55th Street was shut, and the press had also arrived.<ref name="ledge"/> Aside from newsreel cameras capturing footage, NBC was also televising the incident from 711 Fifth Avenue.<ref name="radio">[https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Radio-Craft/1930s/Radio-Craft-1938-10.pdf October 1938 issue of ''Radio-Craft'' detailing NBC's coverage of the incident.] Retrieved 19th Dec '22</ref><ref name="gizmodo"/><ref name="ledge"/> Patrolman Charles V. Glasco then entered the hotel dressed as a civilian and engaged in a gentle conversation with Warde, also offering him water and cigarettes.<ref name="ledge"/><ref name="resemblance"/> Warde later accepted eleven glasses of water, which were actually laced with Benzedrine.<ref name="ledge"/><ref name="time"/><ref name="resemblance"/> This was provided by psychiatrist Jacques. C. Presner, who thought the Benzedrine could raise Warde's mood.<ref name="ledge"/> Overtime, Glasco chatted with Warde about various topics, like sports, picnics, and Glasco's new "job" as a bellhop for Gotham Hotel that he feared he would lose were Warde to commit suicide.<ref name="ledge"/><ref name="resemblance"/> Glasco continued communicating with Warde, with the latter even telling the patrolman a secret that he order the "bellhop" never to reveal to others.<ref name="resemblance"/> It appeared Glasco's chat with Warde worked, as the latter began to enter the hotel.<ref name="resemblance"/> However, a photographer suddenly entered 1714 and took photos, upsetting Warde and causing him to retreat back to the ledge.<ref name="resemblance"/>


At around 10:38 pm, Warde was talking to Presser.<ref name="resemblance"/><ref name="ledge"/> It was at this point police had created a net below to try and capture Warde should he jump.<ref name="resemblance"/><ref name="ledge"/> Warde, possibly agitated from seeing the net's creation, made one final statement to Presser: "There's no way out of it. I have been up here many hours, trying to convince myself of a reason for living. I've made up my mind."<ref name="resemblance"/> Warde then walked off the ledge, 11 hours after he placed himself on it.<ref name="ledge"/><ref name="resemblance"/><ref name="time"/> He plummeted seventeen floors, smashing through the Hotel entrance's glass marquee and slamming into the sidewalk.<ref name="ledge"/><ref name="time"/><ref name="resemblance"/><ref name="gizmodo"/> Aged 28, Warde's suicide was witnessed by around 10,000 in-person.<ref name="time"/><ref name="gizmodo"/> Because it occurred at night, NBC was off-air when the suicide itself commenced.<ref name="radio"/><ref name="gizmodo"/> However, it did lead to print media, including ''Radio-Craft'' for its October 1938 issue, to criticise television for capturing another instance of suicide, having also captured [[Marion Perloff (lost footage of televised suicide of stenographer; 1938)|Marion Perloff's suicide a month prior]].<ref name="radio"/><ref name="gizmodo"/> Warde's life and suicide would be primarily the basis for the 20th Century Fox film ''Fourteen Hours'', released in 1951.<ref name="resemblance"/><ref name="gizmodo"/>
At around 10:38 pm, Warde was talking to Presser.<ref name="resemblance"/><ref name="ledge"/> It was at this point police had created a net below to try and capture Warde should he jump.<ref name="resemblance"/><ref name="ledge"/> Warde, possibly agitated from seeing the net's creation, made one final statement to Presser: "There's no way out of it. I have been up here many hours, trying to convince myself of a reason for living. I've made up my mind."<ref name="resemblance"/> Warde then walked off the ledge, 11 hours after he placed himself on it.<ref name="ledge"/><ref name="resemblance"/><ref name="time"/> He plummeted seventeen floors, smashing through the Hotel entrance's glass marquee and slamming into the sidewalk.<ref name="ledge"/><ref name="time"/><ref name="resemblance"/><ref name="gizmodo"/> Aged 28, Warde's suicide was witnessed by around 10,000 in-person.<ref name="time"/><ref name="gizmodo"/> Because it occurred at night, NBC was off-air when the suicide itself commenced.<ref name="radio"/><ref name="gizmodo"/> However, it did lead to print media, including ''Radio-Craft'' for its October 1938 issue, to criticise television for capturing another instance of suicide, having also captured [[Marion Perloff (lost footage of televised suicide of stenographer; 1938)|Marion Perloff's suicide a month prior]].<ref name="radio"/><ref name="gizmodo"/> Warde's life and suicide would be primarily the basis for the 20th Century Fox film ''Fourteen Hours'', released in 1951.<ref name="resemblance"/><ref name="gizmodo"/>

Revision as of 17:55, 31 January 2023

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This article has been tagged as NSFL due to its disturbing subject matter.


Johnwilliamwarde1.jpg

441-line image of NBC's coverage of the incident.

Status: Lost

on 26th July 1938, 26-year-old John William Warde, a former bank clerk, committed suicide by leaping to his death from the 17th floor of New York's Gotham Hotel. Beforehand, Warde spent 11 hours atop a ledge at the Hotel, with relatives and emergency workers attempting to convince him to come back inside. During this time, NBC provided television coverage of the incident.

Background

26-year-old John William Warde worked as a bank clerk in Southampton.[1] However, in July 1937, he attempted suicide via a knife.[1] After being sent to Central Islip Psychiatric Center for four months, Warde was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.[1] He would then work for the Valentines, a couple who had connections with the Wardes and employed John as a chauffeur and handyman at their Long Island travel agency in an attempt to rebuild his life, confidence, and happiness.[2][1] Ultimately, despite the Valentines' best efforts, Warde remained severely depressed.[1][2] Eight days before his suicide, Warde was spotted gazing down a bridge at Hampton Bays, only to run off after a bridge tender noticed him.[1] The tender contacted the police and gave Warde's car number.[1] However, the police could do little aside from a mere "talking to" towards Warde and his relatives, as Warde did not actually attempt suicide in that incident.[1] The Valentines and Warde's sister Katherine again attempted to raise John's mental well-being, but all their efforts did little to tackle the root causes of his depression.[1][2]

On 26th July 1938, John and Katherine were situated in their suite at Gotham Hotel, Room 1714.[1][2] Katherine told John that he needed a doctor's appointment.[1] This however considerably upset John, who immediately refused it.[1] As Katherine and Mrs. Valentine began discussing ordering lunch, John quietly informed them "I'm going out the window", before quickly placing himself on the window ledge.[1] A horrified Katherine attempted to speak with him, but fainted at the scene.[1] A policeman on the ground spotted Warde, and instructed him to get back in the Hotel.[3][4][1] Warde refused and threatened to jump if the police intervened, forcing the policeman to call in emergency backup.[3][1][2] Despite pleading by Mrs. Valentine and a recovered Katherine, the latter joining John on the ledge with a rope tied around her waist, nothing could seemingly be done to tempt Warde back in.[1][2][3] Comments from Warde signified he did not want to return to the Central Islip Psychiatric Center and was suspicious relatives and emergency workers would send him there if he backed out.[1][3]

By now, 55th Street was shut, and the press had also arrived.[1] Aside from newsreel cameras capturing footage, NBC was also televising the incident from 711 Fifth Avenue.[5][4][1] Patrolman Charles V. Glasco then entered the hotel dressed as a civilian and engaged in a gentle conversation with Warde, also offering him water and cigarettes.[1][2] Warde later accepted eleven glasses of water, which were actually laced with Benzedrine.[1][3][2] This was provided by psychiatrist Jacques. C. Presner, who thought the Benzedrine could raise Warde's mood.[1] Overtime, Glasco chatted with Warde about various topics, like sports, picnics, and Glasco's new "job" as a bellhop for Gotham Hotel that he feared he would lose were Warde to commit suicide.[1][2] Glasco continued communicating with Warde, with the latter even telling the patrolman a secret that he order the "bellhop" never to reveal to others.[2] It appeared Glasco's chat with Warde worked, as the latter began to enter the hotel.[2] However, a photographer suddenly entered 1714 and took photos, upsetting Warde and causing him to retreat back to the ledge.[2]

At around 10:38 pm, Warde was talking to Presser.[2][1] It was at this point police had created a net below to try and capture Warde should he jump.[2][1] Warde, possibly agitated from seeing the net's creation, made one final statement to Presser: "There's no way out of it. I have been up here many hours, trying to convince myself of a reason for living. I've made up my mind."[2] Warde then walked off the ledge, 11 hours after he placed himself on it.[1][2][3] He plummeted seventeen floors, smashing through the Hotel entrance's glass marquee and slamming into the sidewalk.[1][3][2][4] Aged 28, Warde's suicide was witnessed by around 10,000 in-person.[3][4] Because it occurred at night, NBC was off-air when the suicide itself commenced.[5][4] However, it did lead to print media, including Radio-Craft for its October 1938 issue, to criticise television for capturing another instance of suicide, having also captured Marion Perloff's suicide a month prior.[5][4] Warde's life and suicide would be primarily the basis for the 20th Century Fox film Fourteen Hours, released in 1951.[2][4]

Availability

Various photos and newsreel footage were publicly released.[1][5] It is estimated that screening the newsreels generated at least $1 million for theatres within Greater New York.[1] Some newsreels have publicly resurfaced, including one from Universal that showed Warde falling to the pavement and the aftermath. However, none of the NBC coverage is known to have survived. This is because it was provided live, with television transmissions typically not being regularly recorded until videotape was perfected in the late-1950s.[6] Nevertheless, a photo of the 441-line NBC coverage was taken by engineers who had viewed the live broadcast from a receiver at RCA License Laboratories.[5] It was then provided to Radio-Craft, who displayed it in the publication's October 1938 issue.[5]

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 The Man on the Ledge documenting the events leading up to the suicide, and the suicide itself. Retrieved 19th Dec '22
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 Any Resemblance to Actual Persons summarising the events leading up to the suicide, and Glasco's unsuccessful attempts to save Warde. Retrieved 19th Dec '22
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Time summarising the events of the suicide. Retrieved 19th Dec '22
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Gizmodo summarising the suicide and the television coverage of it. Retrieved 19th Dec '22
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 October 1938 issue of Radio-Craft detailing NBC's coverage of the incident. Retrieved 19th Dec '22
  6. ↑ Web Archive article discussing how most early television is missing due to the lack of directly recording television. Retrieved 19th Dec '22
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