MIKE TODD DIED IN NM 50 YEARS AGO

The headline of the Journal on March 22,1958 was “Air Crash Near Grants Kills Mike Todd.” He and Elizabeth Taylor married less than a year earlier and I remember being so sad for her. Todd was purported to be the love of her life… how sad for her. Mike Todd was known for his award winning “Around the World in 80 Days”. Todd was flying from Burbank, CA to New York City in a leased aircraft. Elizabeth stayed home with a cold and begged him not to go. The plane crashed over Zuni after the pilot moderate icing and was reportedly heavily overloaded. The plane slammed into a pasture. Three days earlier he had flown into ABQ for a premiere of the film at the Hiland Theatre. There is no marker at the site which is so respectful. That kind of respect instead of capitalizing on a tragedy which is what happens in Hollywood is one of the things I just love about New Mexico!