EF Honorary Pallbearers

Greetings –

It has been interesting to read the accounts of EF's passing in the archives of the LA Times these past few days. Today's edition has a reproduction of the photo of EF's remains arriving in LA by train, accompanied by Buster Wiles. In one of the many articles, it quotes Patrice Wymore listing the names of the honorary pallbearers to be present during the funeral service.

Most of those listed are easily identified and their association with EF is known: Michael Curtiz … Victor Fleming … Robert Ford … Gene Fowler … Jerry Giesler … Justin Golenbock … Paul Henreid … John Huston … Dennis Morgan … Jack Oakie … Pat O'Brien … Mike Romanoff … Mickey Rooney … Red Skelton … Raoul Walsh … Guinn Williams … Buster Wiles … Dick Hyland [LA Times columnist].

A handful of names were unrecognizable to me and I was wondering if anyone knew of their relationship with EF. One would assume that these folks were connected to him in a significant way, given the prominence of the names above. The names listed were: George Boyar … Paul Buttles … Jim McKinnon … John Perona … Don Petty … Stephen Raphael.

My wife believes that Mr Perona was a well-known restauranteur of the day. Robert Ford is — I presume — the attorney who assisted in representing Flynn during the statuatory rape trial. However, Lincoln Hurst once told me that EF ended up owing Ford a substantial amount of money [so the tale goes] and that Ford actually brought suit against EF for payment. Perhaps they had reconciled prior to EF's passing?

Many thanks in advance of any and all efforts.

Best wishes – Rick

— Rick