(Transcriptions of 7 news paper articles dated March 1940)
Ruth Marion Shaw married her leading man and is my mother.
“Movie Queen” is Ruth Marion Shaw
Movie Cameras grind, Paraders March Despite Snow
With all the fanfare incident to the arrival of a true Hollywood movie queen, the leading lady of the play “Movie Queen” to be presented under the auspices of the American Legion Auxiliary March 28th and 29th, arrived at the local railroad station aboard the 2:21 bus this afternoon. Upon arrival of the bus it was revealed that the “queen” was none other than Miss Ruth Marian Shaw, of 190 Prospect Street, niece of Rev. C. S. Johnson.
A crowd of over 500 braved the snow, that presented a setting more in keeping with the arrival of “Our Nell” in “Old Homestead” than that presupposing the homecoming of a film great. The Legion bugle and drum corps provided the necessary musical touch and spectators became “extras” as movie cameras ground out recording the scene.
A delegation of “Willimantic’s finest” was on hand to keep order, and mayor P. J. Laramee headed the welcoming committee. Miss Shaw was bundled into an open car which headed the parade up Main Street to the town hall where the mayor courteously, if gingerly bared his head to the elements and presented her with the key to the city and a large bouquet.
Ruth Marian Shaw as “Movie Queen”
The official party was transported in the latest model automobiles supplied by local dealers, which was followed by delegations of Boy and Girl Scouts and anyone else who wished to join in the parade.
Movies taken of today’s proceedings will be part of the last act of the presentation by local talent in St. Mary’s Hall two weeks hence.