Marcella Rabwin

[Gary Smith]

Marcella Rabwin, one of Hollywood's most prolific insiders passed away on
December 25, 1998. Mrs. Rabwin, along with her husband Dr. Marcus Rabwin
were on virtually every Hollywood hostesses' "A" list during the 1940's and
50's. Mrs. Rabwin was very well connected in Hollywood, having been the
personal assistant to producer David O. Selznick. The couple were very
close friends of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. The Rabwin's Del Mar,
California home was a stones throw away from the Arnazes beach house. Dr.
Rabwin also played a major role in the life of actress Judy Garland.
Literally. He was a physician and friend of Miss Garland's parents, Frank
and Ethel Gumm, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. At one point, Mrs. Gumm asked
Dr. Rabwin to perform an abortion because she felt that she was unprepared
for any more children. Dr. Rabwin fortunately persuaded the Gumm's to go
through with the pregnancy. Mrs. Rabwin was a longtime friend to Miss
Garland and was interviewed for "A&E Biography" in regards to her
association with the actress. In 1992, Mrs. Rabwin was interviewed for a
television special, "Lucy & Desi's Home Movies" produced by Lucie Arnaz.

The following obituary is from Variety:

Marcella Bannett Rabwin

Marcella Bannett Rabwin, a longtime executive assistant to David O.
Selznick, died Dec. 25 from complications of a stroke following heart
surgery. She was 90.

She was a popular speaker at “Gone With the Wind” conventions, and had
recently published a book about her experiences in Hollywood.

Rabwin was active in the arts in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and San Diego,
and had received many community honors in her lifetime.

She was the wife of the late Dr. Marcus Rabwin and is survived by her two
sons Paul, a producer on “The X-Files” and “Millennium,” and Mark.
--
Gary Smith
King...@psnw.com