DESCRIPTION:
Russ Columbo, with Orchestra - Paradise, from the film "A Woman Commands" (Gordon Clifford - Nacio Herb Brown) Victor 1932 (USA)

NOTE: One of the greatest Pola Negri's hits, here is sung by Russ Columbo. He was born, Ruggiero Eugenio di Rodolpho Colombo in Camden, New Jersey - the twelfth child of Italian immigrants. He was a child prodigy known for his violin playing. When the family moved to California he could continue his studies under his music instructor. At the age of seventeen, he left high school to travel with orchestras and play "atmospheric" music for silent films. In 1928 he became a member of the Coconut Grove Orchestra and became known as an excellent singer when he was chosen to replace Bing Crosby, the group's lead vocalist, who left that year to further his career in New York. This led him to sing and act in several movies including "Dynamite," "The Texan" and "Wonder of Women." In 1931 he was persuaded to move to New York in order to make his mark on radio. He was hired by NBC and the young singing sensation became known as "The Romeo of Song" and "The Singing Valentino" because of his smooth crooning style. In 1933 he left New York and after a brief tour with his own orchestra, retuned to Hollywood where he signed a contract with Universal Pictures. He was chosen to receive his first starring role in the film "Wake up and Dream." Tragically, however, his life was taken before the filming started, when at the age of twenty-six, he died from what was ruled "an accidental shooting".

According to statements given at the inquest, Lansing Brown - the well-known photographer and Columbo's friend, whom on September 2, 1934 Russ was paying an afternoon visit, kept a pair of antique dueling pistols on his desk. Brown was toying with one of the pistols and holding an unlighted match in his left hand. The "trick" was that the hammer would ignite the match, although Brown would later testify that he did not know why he had the match and the gun, other than a sort of odd "habit." Unfortunately, the old relic had both gunpowder and a vintage mini ball. Somehow, the match and the hammer triggered the gun powder, and the bullet was discharged. Detectives later determined that the bullet must have ricocheted off the mahogany desk between the two men, striking Russ Columbo in the left eye, lodging at the back of his brain. He slumped in the chair and immediately lost consciousness. When the coroner's ambulance arrived to pick up the body, it was discovered that Russ was unconscious, but still alive. He was taken first to Hollywood Receiving Hospital, then transferred to the Hospital of the Good Samaritan. Doctors attempted to save his life by surgery, but it was too late.