On April 22, 1948, shortly after appearing in "A&C meet Frankenstein", Lon Jr. attempted suicide after an argument with his wife. He swallowed 40 sleeping pills, was found by his son and was rushed to a local hospital where he recovered.

Obviously Chaney Jr. had dark personal demons and perhaps booze was his way of dealing with the pain. His acute alcoholism, like that of so many others, appeared to be rooted in depression and was ultimately tragic. Very sad.