“Such Friends”: 100 Years Ago, late November into December, 1922, Hollywood, California

A Woman of Paris, which is filming here, is the first serious dramatic feature from the world’s best known and best loved clown, Charlie Chaplin, 33.

Having just fulfilled his contract with First National Pictures, Chaplin has set up a new film studio, United Artists, with his friends, actors Douglas Fairbanks, 39, and Mary Pickford, 30, and director D. W. Griffith, 47.

Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin and D. W. Griffith

Charlie has written this film—although he hasn’t actually produced a screenplay; he has it all worked out in his head. He cast the major parts—he really wants to give his frequent co-star, Edna Purviance, 27, a chance to shine. And he is directing. All of which he has done before.

Charlie Chaplin directing Edna Purviance

But he isn’t in it. That’s a first.

He wrote himself a little three-second cameo playing an inept porter, but he’s not listed in the credits.

Charlie has based the story on tales his recent lover, Mrs. Peggy Hopkins Joyce, 29, former actress, former Ziegfield girl, former wife of three or four millionaires, has told him about her exciting romantic life.

Charlie Chaplin and Peggy Hopkins Joyce in Catalina

A Woman of Paris is an opportunity for Chaplin to move away from his comedic “Tramp” persona and experiment with the medium of film. His incredibly talented cameraman, Rollie Totheroe, just turning 32, even figured out a way to create the image of an approaching train at night using just lighting. No train.

Charlie is really hoping his fans will like this one as much as they have his other 70 films.

“Such Friends”:  100 Years Ago… is the basis for the series, “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s. Volumes I through III, covering 1920 through 1922 are available as signed copies at Riverstone Books in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, PA, and on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk in print and e-book formats. For more information, email me at kaydee@gypsyteacher.com.

Early next year I will be talking about the centenary of the publication of T. S. Eliot’s The Waste Land at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Pittsburgh, and about The Literary 1920s in Paris and New York City at the Osher program at Carnegie-Mellon University.

Manager as Muse, about Scribner’s editor Maxwell Perkins’ relationships with, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Thomas Wolfe, is also available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk in both print and e-book versions.

If you want to walk with me through Bloomsbury, you can download my audio walking tour, “Such Friends”:  Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group.

“Such Friends”: 100 Years Ago, October 18, 1922, Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre, 6706 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, California

After more than a year of research, negotiating, planning, hiring, and fund-raising

by its star and producer Douglas Fairbanks, 39,

The Star

After more than $1.4 million of the producer’s own money,

After more than 500 workers behind the scenes,

After thousands of extras, mostly highly trained, unemployed veterans from the Great War,

After thousands of historically accurate costumes, shields and lances,

After thousands of looks of amazement on the faces of tourists

coming to gawk at the movie set at Santa Monica Boulevard and La Brea,

The Set

Produced by Douglas Fairbanks Pictures Corporation and distributed by United Artists,

For the price of $5 a ticket,

Starring Fairbanks, Wallace Beery, 37, and Alan Hale, Sr., 30,

The Cast

Douglas Fairbanks in Robin Hood

premieres at the opening of

Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre,

The Theatre

The first time any Hollywood feature has ever been premiered in Hollywood, California.

The Poster

“Such Friends”:  100 Years Ago… is the basis for the series, “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s. Volumes I through III, covering 1920 through 1922 are available as signed copies at Riverstone Books in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, PA, and on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk in print and e-book formats. For more information, email me at kaydee@gypsyteacher.com.

Early next year I will be talking about the centenary of the publication of T. S. Eliot’s The Waste Land at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Pittsburgh, and about The Literary 1920s in Paris and New York City at the Osher program at Carnegie-Mellon University.

Manager as Muse, about Scribner’s editor Maxwell Perkins’ relationships with F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Thomas Wolfe, is also available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk in both print and e-book versions.

If you want to walk with me through Bloomsbury, you can download my audio walking tour, “Such Friends”:  Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group.

“Such Friends”: 100 Years Ago, March 13, 1922, City Courthouse, San Francisco, California

Here we go again.

Former film star Roscoe Arbuckle, about to turn 35, is in court for his third trial. There have been two mistrials already, back in December and again last month.

Charges had been brought against him in September after a young actress, Virginia Rappe, 26, died two days after passing out at a Labor Day party Roscoe was attending. He’d tried to help her, but her friends at the party accused him of killing her. Killing?! Roscoe just can’t believe it. He’s a comedian! Not a murderer.

Virginia Rappe

In the second trial, Roscoe’s lawyer convinced him to enter into evidence lurid stories about Rappe’s past, although Arbuckle felt uncomfortable about that. “Fatty,” as his movie character is known, didn’t take the stand in his own defense last time. He and his lawyers have decided that this time he will.

One of his loyal friends, Hollywood star Buster Keaton, 26, is in the courtroom to testify in Roscoe’s defense. But this past year, one of the prosecution’s witnesses, Rappe’s friend and Arbuckle’s chief accuser, Maud Delmont, 35, a convicted fraudster, has been traveling all over the country giving one-woman shows about the evils of Hollywood. Really.

Buster Keaton in Cops

Arbuckle knows that his once successful career as an actor is over. But he wants to clear his name. Let’s hope the third time is the charm.

“Such Friends”:  100 Years Ago… is the basis for the series, “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s. Volumes I and II covering 1920 and 1921 are available as signed copies at Riverstone Books in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, PA, and also in print and e-book formats on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. For more information, email me at kaydee@gypsyteacher.com.

In June I will be talking about the Stein family salons in the Osher Lifelong Learning program at Carnegie-Mellon University.

Manager as Muse, about Scribner’s editor Maxwell Perkins’ relationships with F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Thomas Wolfe, is also available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk in both print and e-book versions.

If you want to walk with me through Bloomsbury, you can download my audio walking tour, “Such Friends”:  Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group.

“Such Friends”: 100 years ago, December 4, 1921, City Courthouse, San Francisco, California

Roscoe Arbuckle, 34, is awaiting the jury’s verdict in his trial for manslaughter in the death of 26-year-old actress Virginia Rappe, after a drunken party in a hotel on Labor Day this year.

Arbuckle has protested his innocence since the day he was arrested. His attorney is optimistic about an acquittal.

Roscoe Arbuckle mug shot

The prosecutor, Matthew A. Brady, 46, has made this a show trial which will help his planned run for governor. He has used this as an opportunity to paint Roscoe, known to his fans as “Fatty,” as a sexually depraved lecher. Just like all those other scum down in Hollywood.

However, Brady is not able to put his star prosecution witness, a friend of the victim who was at the party, on the stand because there is evidence she has been trying to extort money from Arbuckle. Such as a telegram she sent to lawyers in San Diego: 

WE HAVE ROSCOE ARBUCKLE IN A HOLE HERE CHANCE TO MAKE SOME MONEY OUT OF HIM.”

Of course, the whole story has been splashed over the front pages since the day it broke. Publisher William Randolph Hearst, 58, claims that this is selling more newspapers for him than the sinking of the Lusitania six years ago.

But even Roscoe’s estranged wife, Minta Durfee, 32, has stood by him, showing up in court for support. Someone actually shot at her one day when she was coming to the courthouse!

Roscoe’s co-workers have publicly stated that he could never have raped or murdered anyone. Charlie Chaplin, 32, whom he’s known since their days at Keystone Pictures over seven years ago, told the papers that he “knew Roscoe to be a genial, easy-going type who would not harm a fly.” Buster Keaton, 26, issued a supportive statement also—and was promptly reprimanded by his studio.

But Arbuckle’s films have been pulled from theatres and his reputation is shot.

And William S. Hart, about to turn 57, whom Arbuckle has never worked with or even met, said he thought “Fatty” was guilty. Why can’t they call him Roscoe?!

Virginia Rappe

At the hospital, after examining Virginia, the doctor found no evidence of rape. At the hearing, the judge found no evidence of rape. The autopsy found there were no signs of violence on her body. The woman had a history of urinary infections, as well as getting quite drunk at parties, and curling up in pain.

Arbuckle’s attorney had witnesses ready to testify to Virginia’s sordid past. But Roscoe refused to let them. The poor woman is dead, for Chrissake.

At the end of the trial, last week, Arbuckle testified in his own defense. He remained surprisingly calm, and answered each question put to him.

Now the jury is back.

Deadlock. 10 to 2 not guilty. They could not reach a unanimous decision.

The judge declares a mistrial.

“Such Friends”:  100 Years Ago… is the basis for the series, “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s. Volumes I and II covering 1920 and 1921 are available as signed copies at Riverstone Books, Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, PA, and in print and e-book formats on Amazon. If they can’t get it to you in time for gift giving, I can. Email me at kaydee@gypsyteacher.com.

In January and February I will be talking about the centenary of the publication of James Joyce’s Ulysses at the Osher Lifelong Learning programs at Carnegie-Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh.

Manager as Muse, about Scribner’s editor Maxwell Perkins’ relationships with F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Thomas Wolfe, is also available on Amazon in both print and e-book versions.

If you want to walk with me through Bloomsbury, you can download my audio walking tour, “Such Friends”:  Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group.

“Such Friends”: 100 years ago, September 6, 1921, Room 1219, St. Francis Hotel, corner of Geary and Powell Streets, San Francisco, California

Film actor Roscoe Arbuckle, 34, is waking up in this posh hotel room and slowly starting to remember what a disaster last night’s party had been.

St. Francis Hotel, San Francisco

His butt is still sore from a stupid accident back home in Los Angeles a few days ago when he sat on some rags soaked in acid that burnt through his pants causing second degree burns.

But Roscoe’s friends insisted that he still come with them for this planned Labor Day weekend bash to celebrate the hit films Roscoe starred in this year—and his new $1 million contract with Paramount. One of them bought him a rubber padded ring to sit on for the long drive.

The suite in this hotel—two bedrooms for them and a party room for everyone—the women and the booze have all been arranged by his friends.

Roscoe is familiar with two of the women from Hollywood. Virginia Rappe, 26, is an actress and sometimes model who had been in a film a few years ago with Rudolph Valentino, also 26. Since then he has become quite a star based on his most recent picture, The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. But Virginia has only done bit parts and is mostly known for getting drunk and vomiting at every party.

Virginia Rappe

Her friend, Maude Delmont, 35, has an even more scandalous reputation. She provides young women for wealthy men who are then accused of rape and blackmailed. Delmont has even been convicted of fraud and extortion.

Maude Delmont

Roscoe was a bit concerned when he first saw those two in the suite yesterday morning. If the local cops find out, they might feel they have to look into this illegal liquor party.

Yesterday afternoon he had found Virginia in his bathroom, vomiting, as usual. He carried her into his room.

But a bit later, Virginia was on the floor, screaming and ripping at her clothes. Other guests tried to cool her down in a tub of cold water. Roscoe called the hotel manager and doctor, who decided that the young woman had just had too much to drink and could sleep it off. The doctor gave her some morphine.

Roscoe figures he’d better get up now and see how she and the others are doing. Virginia was pretty sick last night.

From the other room he hears one of his friends call him,

Hey, Fatty…”

Disgusted, Roscoe yells back,

I have a name, y’know.”

“Such Friends”:  100 Years Ago… is the basis for the series, “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s. Volume I covering 1920 is available in print and e-book formats on Amazon. For more information, email me at kaydee@gypsyteacher.com.

This fall I will be talking about Writers’ Salons in Dublin and London Before the Great War in the Osher Lifelong Learning program at Carnegie-Mellon University.

Manager as Muse, about Scribner’s editor Maxwell Perkins’ relationships with F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Thomas Wolfe, is available on Amazon in both print and e-book versions.

If you want to walk with me through Bloomsbury, you can download my audio walking tour, “Such Friends”:  Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group.

“Such Friends”: 100 years ago, July 23, 1921, Pictures magazine, United Kingdom

Hollywood star Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle is on the cover of UK movie magazine, Pictures. He has had two hit films already this year, Brewster’s Millions and The Dollar-a-Year Man.

“Such Friends”:  100 Years Ago… is the basis for the series, “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s. Volume I covering 1920 is available in print and e-book format on Amazon. For more information, email me at kaydee@gypsyteacher.com.

This summer I am talking about The Literary 1920s in the Osher Lifelong Learning program at the University of Pittsburgh. This fall I will be talking about Writers’ Salons in Dublin and London before the Great War in the Osher program at Carnegie-Mellon University.

Manager as Muse, about Scribner’s editor Maxwell Perkins’ relationships with F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Thomas Wolfe, is available on Amazon in both print and e-book versions.

If you want to walk with me through Bloomsbury, download my audio walking tour, “Such Friends”:  Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group.

“Such Friends”: 100 Years Ago, March 27 and 28, 1920, New York City, New York; Hollywood, California; and Montgomery, Alabama

Harold Ross, 27, who has made a name for himself around the publishing world by being the successful editor of the U. S. Army’s newspaper, The Stars & Stripes, in Paris during the Great War, is doing quite well now that he is state-side. Ross has just signed a contract to become editor of the American Legion Weekly, the house organ for veterans adjusting to their new lives back in the States.

The contract is his wedding present to Jane Grant, also 27, who he is secretly eloping with later today.

Ross and Grant met in Paris during the war, when she was there with the American Red Cross, entertaining soldiers.

Jane Grant and Harold Ross

They had discussed marriage a few times, and this week she said to him,

How about Saturday?”

So he agreed.

They plan to live on Grant’s salary as the first full-time female reporter for the New York Times, and save Ross’ earnings to start the magazine about New York they are planning.

*****

The next day, the rest of the country is thrilled with a different wedding. “America’s Sweetheart,” Mary Pickford, 27, is marrying her co-star, “Everybody’s Hero,” Douglas Fairbanks, 36. The worst kept secret in the movie business is that their affair began while they were each married to others. But America is willing to forgive their beloved “Hollywood Royalty.” The Fairbanks are off to Europe for their honeymoon.

Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks

*****

Down south in Montgomery, Alabama, Zelda Sayre, 19, is planning for her wedding. The handsome young soldier she met during the war when he was stationed nearby at Camp Sheridan, F. Scott Fitzgerald, 23, now living in New York City, has been wooing her with love letters and presents:  An ostrich fan. His mother’s ring. A diamond and platinum watch. They were nice. But what really did the trick is when he signed a contract with Charles Scribner’s Sons to publish his first novel, This Side of Paradise. And Metro Studios bought the rights to one of his short stories for $2,500.

That’s when Zelda had said yes.

The novel was published this week and she’s getting ready for the wedding in early April.

Zelda Sayre and F. Scott Fitzgerald

“Such Friends”:  100 Years Ago… is the basis for the book, “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s, to be published by K. Donnelly Communications. For more information, email me at kaydee@gpysyteacher.com.

In 2020 I will be talking about writers’ salons in Ireland, England, France and America before and after the Great War in the University of Pittsburgh’s Osher Lifelong Learning program.

Manager as Muse, about Scribner’s editor Maxwell Perkins and his relationships with Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Thomas Wolfe, is available on Amazon in both print and Kindle versions.

If you want to walk with me through Bloomsbury, you can download my audio walking tour, “Such Friends”: Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group.