"Susan was my best friend," Harling told TODAY's Erica Hill. But its broken now theyre all broken, no matter what happens. For now, Susan Polk sits in a courtroom and listens as a prosecutor builds his case against her. But he also was a pillar of the community. It seemed merciful. Eventually, Susan moved out of the family compound. He dragged me by the hair, threw me on the ground, punched me in the face and he pulled a knife.Morrison: And you grabbed it away from him?Susan Polk: He smeared the pepper spray into my face. Susan Polk: I thought "Oh my God, hes dead, Ive killed him. It was a difficult birth with her son arriving three months premature, but clearly baby Robert had inherited his Mamas strength and indomitable spirit. And he told them his mother was the one making threats, once musing aloud whether to drug, drown, or shoot Felix. At least until one particular session of group therapy: Susan Polk: And I just announced to the group that my "Felix and I," I said, "are lovers." Unfortunately for Susan, the pregnancy had taken a toll on her kidneys. 2013-06-21 01:09:47. "I said, 'What would Susan do?' It was a difficult birth with her son arriving three months premature, but clearly baby Robert had inherited his Mamas strength and indomitable spirit. WebThe 32 year old Susan left behind her husband Dr Pat Robinson and their two-year-old son Robert after years of battling diabetes. Her husband, of course, cant present his own opinion, though his friend Barry Morris has been chipping away on his behalf. It was our oldest sons 27th birthday, and he absolutely was surprised, as you will see below! "Ten days later, that's all it took because I had lived the story. . "It became a play because I wanted to hear the dialogue. But I did wonder. Susan Harling Robinson and her son, Robert. Morrison: Do you remember what you thought?Susan Polk: At that moment?Morrison: Yes?Polk: (Sighs) I thought about our life together, thats what I thought about, I did. Desperate to be a mom, she defied doctors advice to have her much-wanted baby. She says she will take the stand in her own defense. But his autopsy revealed that at his death, he had stopped taking his medication. Where he would walk right up to somebody, whether its my mom, me, my little brother, or my older brother. How do you telepathically connet with the astral plain? Remember, Ive been down here since 1978, and was in Farmerville for three years after college graduation. He was a loving husband and father and loved any time he could spend with his grandchildren, Robert, Susan and Jack. And it pulled me back into the relationship.Morrison: He was kind of a puppet master in a way?Susan Polk: I think he imagined himself to be something like that that. Youve missed out on the trials and tribulations of dealing with The Road Home program, designed to help those who had flood insurance intact to recover from the floodwaters of Hurricane Rita in 2005. He was very, very delusional. He just came over me, grabbing at the knife, punched me in the face, and I stabbed him in the side. With nothing but the knowledge that it was on the corner of Cypress and something, I headed out with camera in hand early Saturday morning before the group field trip to the USFWS fish hatchery. She is most famous for her appearance in the 1957 film noir classic Sweet Smell of Success as the sister for whom Burt Lancaster has an unhealthy affection, and in The Twilight Zone episode " Five Characters in Search of an Exit ". And I kind ofMorrison: Sitting on his lap?Bolling: Yes. And so it seemed like a solution. Because we know that both things were true. And yallshes the owner of the shop. Harling said he wrote the scene by channeling his sister after a bout of writer's block. I wasnt sure where to go, and while I was about to back out (because there was no place to turn around), along walked a little grey-haired woman, headed toward the dead end. In Shreveport, Susan met and fell in love with a pediatrician, Patrick Robinson. Robert Bob Harling was born June 19, 1923, in Edgefield, S.C. By now, Barry Morris is more than just a former neighbor of the Polks. They failed. Eli was holding fort in the family compound, his mothers lone defender. In February, 1983, Susan and Patrick had a son, Robert. She, Read More Twice-flooded Home Demolished Memories RemainContinue, Well, folks, they just showed the footage of the lady from Houma. However, there was nothing shown from Miahs school. I dont expect to see it later in the show. I could be wrong. I dont. Then he called a couple of days later. He'd been in New York for eight years at that point, a period during which Susan had married and decided to start a family, despite doctors' concerns that doing so could seriously jeopardize her health. He left his wife and kids and the two got married. Eli is 20 years old now. They think I'm really cool. Over the years, the family took trips around the world. Morrison: How does that feel for a mother?Susan Polk: To have ones own child, you know, supporting the prosecution, thats an awful experience. On one occasion Susan was arrested for hitting her husband in front of officers. 2299 West Omni Drive Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402 pros and cons of being an architectural drafter. Why would his own wife, the mother of his three children, kill him? what happened to susan harling robinson son Delivered by serving firefighters, these professional and realistic courses will teach how to deal with fire hazards, along with the risks involved and effective fire safety, promoting And then, about a week before she was to return to the Orinda house to remove her belongings, Barry Morris says Felix got a disturbing phone call from his wife. See, you got it the same way I got it. But first, what do you think he wanted to do the actual day of his birthday? - Rob. Eli Polk: I believe he became violent with her. We moved the play to the Lucille Lortel. . She has the knife. It was more house than they could afford, really, on Felixs income. To Follow Or Unfollow? Eli Polk: Its not just a plausible story, Im sure its what happened. Well I started seeing him when I was 15, I never stopped. I asked her if that was a private home. But even in the darkest moments, Susan would take time to marvel at the kindness and compassion of the community that surrounded her. In one famous scene, as Sally Field's character, M'Lynn, mourns the death of her daughter, the character of Clairee played by Olympia Dukakis offers another friend of the group for M'Lynn to hit. Gabriel is living with a friend of the family in the area and Adam is finishing college in Los Angeles. It pays to have your mom played by Julia Roberts, Harling told Erica Hill about one time when his nephew, Susan's son, had trouble with school. Morrison: What did you do?Susan Polk: Well, I took a bottle of aspirin in a moment of despair.Morrison: I cant imagine what its like to be in that situation and just decide youre going to drink that bottle of pills.Susan Polk: You cant?Morrison: No, I cant.Susan Polk: You cant imagine? Susan Harling Robinson and her son, Robert. But after nearly 20 years of marriage, Susan had already made a private decision of her own. The doctor who delivered Bob came to the Harling residence by horse and buggy. Yet no one on the outside, it seemed, had a clue. She played flute in the high school band. . Harling told Erica Hill about one time when his nephew, Susan's son, had trouble with school. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. And Adam, like Gabriel, declined to be interviewed for this story. And I came to find that, you know, they needed a divorce. In fact, almost no one sees Susan Polk in quite the same light anymore, now that she stands accused of murdering her husband, Felix, on October 13, 2002. She loved being around all those babies and dreamed of one day having a big noisy house full of kids. I had the pleasure and honor of not only touring all the filming sites but spending an afternoon with Margaret and Robert Harling talking about Susan. Thats why Susan was determined to claim she killed her husband in self defense. Its that Southern thing of using a family name as a first name, Harling says. Im very glad I found out about the park and had a chance to visit. Great follow up from your last post. At the courthouse, the boys, once so close, are pitted against one another. "She said, 'They're still with you and they're on stage somewhere in the world every night,'" Harling said. and what Susan would do would be outrageous," he said. Detectives were no more convinced than was Morris that Susan was telling the truth. Sara Anne Berger officiating. Morris: As she started getting crazier and crazier, you know, he saw her in psychological terms rather than the danger that she presented to him. And at that point, I wanted to find out what was going on. And clutched in his hand were strands of her hair. I believe he exploded that night and attacked my mother. She became to the teenager, therapist and lover at the same time. He also said Felix could keep the house, and drastically cut her alimony. Clairee came from a fabulous aunt in South Carolina, and his sisters best friend was named Ouiser. She loved being around all those babies and dreamed of one day having a big noisy house full of kids. WebThe 32 year old Susan left behind her husband Dr Pat Robinson and their two-year-old son Robert after years of battling diabetes. Besides being based on the true story of his sister, Susan, Harling shared 13 other things fans might not know about the movie. He now lives in Austin and is happily engaged to a wonderful woman. Well, by the time she got to Shreveport, I was already gone! The prosecutor told us he would not comment for this story, choosing instead to make his case before the jury. Susan survived, but the marriage did not. Frank Felix Polk, Holocaust survivor, psychologist, father was no more. WebShe never complained about anything. ", 4. Somehow, she got it into her head thatyou know, you marry, you marry for life. WebThe 32 year old Susan left behind her husband Dr Pat Robinson and their two-year-old son Robert after years of battling diabetes. So, I loved all that, of course! in the early quiet morning on Saturday . Ill have to ask Gary if and when hes going to use that footage. Susan had been cautioned about the complications of having children, given her severe diabetes. What really happened that night? Daniel Horowitz, lawyer for Susan Polk: She killed him for one reason, he had a knife in his hand and if she didnt take it from him and defended herself, she would be dead. That all changed when an audience was brought in. I think its sad. Barry Morris, neighbor: If you had told me five years ago that Id be sitting here, and Susan would be in jail and Felix would be dead, I wouldnt have believed it. Which contains more carcinogens luncheon meats or grilled meats? What is the Written authorization form policyholder for their insurance company to pay benefits directly to the care provider? 10. She was determined to have the family shed always dream of. Besides being based on the true story of his sister, Susan, Harling shared 13 other things fans might not know about the movie. Only Eli spoke. The movie has inspired others to give back. - Rob What is your son to your husband's cousin's child? Eli Polk: Im in middle school, and I dont know whats going on. Thats right. So, I parked beside the fabulous plantation home and walked back a half block to the park at the corner. That Is The Question To Ask. She went against her doctors wishes and gave birth to a baby boy in 1983. The tension that had been building for years reached its flash point. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. What to Look For in HBOs House of the Dragon? Why fibrous material has only one falling period in drying curve? Susan had been cautioned about the complications of having children, given her severe diabetes. It seemed an odd pairing: He was double her age, a Holocaust survivor from an affluent Austrian family who had left a wife and grown children for Susan. He was rageful. Don't worry about me. Maybe thats why she didnt call the police right away after it happened. Plus, long lasting at night. I wonder if Robert inherited diabetes? And so I squeezed my hand as tight as I could, and I stabbed him again. He, the middle son, felt the searing anger, unable to understand it, and felt compelled somehow to keep the peace. . When one child is diagnosed with T1 the entire family has to go to educational classes to learn how care for them and they for themselves. She put it off too long. He wrote the play after his sister, Susan, died from complications of type 1 diabetes. On his head evidence of blunt force trauma. Horowitz: There is no question that he was delusional from the 1955, before Susan was born when he was hospitalized for chronic mental illness to when he died when he had psychiatric drugs in his medicine cabinet. IE 11 is not supported. Upon her graduation from the NSU School of Nursing, Susan became a pediatric nurse and resided in Shreveport. Sad that he also wanted to be a NICU doctor, but never went on to specialize, because he had the love of his life that took up his time, and she was so much more important! But she was thinking, just that moment, about her baby, her accuser her Gabriel. "I said, 'I can't believe you put yourself through that.'" I hope you enjoy getting to know her a little better and in so doing, can make a deeper connection with the film. IMorrison: You allowed it to happen.Susan Polk: I locked the doors. Clipping found in The Town Talk in Alexandria, Louisiana on Oct 24, 1985. Please click on the images to see larger version and to read the original captions. Its that Southern thing of using a family name as a first name, Harling says. Required fields are marked *. He joined the Army Air Force in World War II and he frequently said that one of his proudest achievements was when he earned his wings and became a pilot for B-25 Mitchell bombers in WWII. "But I was missing the sound of the wonderful vernacular," he said. Keith Morrison, Dateline correspondent: What kind of a man was he?Morris: Very urbane, worldly. Susan had been cautioned about the complications of having children, given her severe diabetes. In the fall of 2002, a judge in the divorce case granted custody of the youngest son to Felix. and there she was. And I said, Have you called the police? He said, I told Susan I wouldnt. I said, Felix, you wanna live? Yes. Then you call the police. His mom and dad were not getting along and his dad, a mental health professional, was accusing his mom of being kind of crazy. To police, what happened seemed perfectly obvious: There was evidence of a struggle. And as I promised in the previous story, after the fishing trip I went a few blocks from Chateau St. Denis over to All Tangled Up to get my hat-hair repaired. ", 5. Upon her graduation from the NSU School of Nursing, Susan became a pediatric nurse and resided in Shreveport. So that peace could prevail? And if the kids joined it at all in support of me, like Dadyou knowwe want to live with mom, that kind of thing then he would say, If you line up with your mom, youre dead. Morrison: Was that going on in your house? Susan helped Harlingwrite the "hit me" scene. . Susan Polk: And I turned to him and I said, You hypnotized me. Besides being based on the true story of his sister, Susan, Harling shared 13 other things fans might not know about the movie. In February, 1983, Susan and Patrick had a son, Robert. Harling said the title, "Steel Magnolias," is the perfect description for the women it profiles: They're both delicate like a flower, but also hard as steel. can be watched with subs in 14 languages Cause there are both sides: self-defense, premeditated murder. And after Susan filed for divorce, she claims Felix was the one coming unhinged and lashing out. But I listened. The names, logos, and other source identifying features of newspapers depicted in our database are the trademarks of their respective owners, and our use of newspaper content in the public domain or by private agreement does not imply any affiliation with, or endorsement from, the publishers of the newspaper titles that appear on our site. But she never let her disease inhibit or alter her life in any way. (Robert gave his sister!) Felix, claimed the defense, had been taking anti-anxiety medicine for years. Eli Polk: Yes. What are the names of God in various Kenyan tribes? An attack that culminated years of abuse abuse that began with a shocking story, a family secret that dated back to 1972. How many credits do you need to graduate with a doctoral degree? Sweet Magnolias Season 2 is expected to release on Netflix in 2021, but due to the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the romantic drama gets delayed to 2022. And his hand loosened just as I kicked him, and I just grabbed the knife out of his hand and I said, Stop, I have the knife. And he didnt stop. Barry Morris, neighbor: He told me she was walking around at night with a gun in the house. Yes. Eli Polk: Yeah, well I mean, it took me a few years to come to the realization that Hey, these people cant be together.. But they did stay together. Bobs job with International Paper moved them to numerous places around the southeast. Morrison: Which one of the 27 wounds was not intended to be a killing wound? can be watched with subs in 14 languages I dont get their show down here, but they put everything on their YouTube channel. She couldnt leave him.Susan Polk: That really scared me. Right now it looks like the jury might have a really hard time. Harling recalled saying to his mother in an interview with the Huffington Post. When the boys were teenagers, Susan said shed had enough. Those left to cherish his memory include his sons, Robert M. Harling III of Natchitoches and John Forbes Harling and wife Elizabeth of Garland, Texas. Susan had cuts and scratches on her body. Daniel Horowitz, lawyer for Susan Polk: She killed him for one reason, he had a knife in his hand and if she didnt take it from him and defended herself, she would be dead. Thanks for the article, I truly enjoyed it! She says Felix hypnotized and drugged her during their sessions. He is one of the most genuine and drawing people that i think i have ever met, and i could have talked to him forever! Afterward, off to the boys house for food and gifts. . Horowitz: Those wounds that she inflicted on him were not intended to be killing wounds. Which candy shares its name with a south American mountain range? Once again, thank you for sharing this beautiful town and story with us. At one point I waved it back and forth like this and I said, Get off, get off, get off, get off. And he stood up, and it was over.Morrison: He said something.Susan Polk: He said, Oh my God, I think Im dead.. Yep, he wanted to go fishing with Mom. And I saw the knife go into my pants and so I thought, Hehe stabbed me. I thought, Hes gonna kill me, Im gonna die here unless I do something right now. And I just kicked him as hard as I could with the heel of my foot in his groin, and at the same time, I went for his hand. And that was that. 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what happened to susan harling robinson son