1954 Press Photo Johnny Johnston & wife Shirley with showgirl Bette Bowers, L.A.

Los Angeles - Singer Johnny Johnston, 39, accompanied by his wife, Shirley, 29 (right), appeared in Superior court here yesterday to answer charges of showgirl Bette Bowers, 24, (left) of Washington, D.C., that he is the father of her child, expected in December. Miss Bowers testified in court that Johnston told her "to be a nice girl and kill yourself," if she became pregnant after, she further stated, they had been intimate in a Washington hotel room last March. Johnson has filed an answer denying Miss Bowers' charges but has not yet given his side of the story in court. Miss Bowers is asking that Johnston be declared the father of her expected child and be ordered to pay reasonable support.

Photo is dated 1954.

Photo measures 10 x 8.25 inches.