Helen Ferguson on Franchot Tone

Helen Ferguson as an actress in the 1920's (left) and a
publicist at an event in the early 1960's (right).

Helen Ferguson was an actress-turned-publicist who represented many of classic Hollywood's biggest stars—Barbara Stanwyck, Loretta Young, Henry Fonda, Jeanette MacDonald, and so on. In the 1940's, Helen became Franchot's public relations counselor. In 1948, Helen shared her thoughts on Franchot with Screenland magazine:

He has a sense of humor as gay and sprightly as a leprechaun's—but that's his secret. On the surface, even he has accepted the Tone legend. Sophisticated, erudite, aloof—all the admirable but chilling synonyms for Tone which have become his tag in Hollywood. But casual? Indifferent, my eye! The man is shy. Honest to goodness shy. Things matter greatly to Franchot but, like the leprechaun's charming approach to reality, his disguise of such caring is complete.

A master at the art of underplaying—his life is slanted on that side, too. To find out how different you chuck your own inhibitions and rush right against the barrier of his reticence. And then there's fun. Like the night of the premiere at Westwood. Thinking it was a benefit preview, having practically invited myself to dinner at the Tones', my social conscience was slightly eased when I invited them to go to the "preview" with me afterward, and bought tickets. Jean accepted eagerly and Franchot was told. We started off, and wound up in a premiere crowd—lights, shimmering gowns, radio broadcast—the works. Franchot wanted to turn back. Jean and I kept our enthusiasm at a pitch, ignoring Franchot's murmer, "I'll just leave you girls and pick you up later"—and other not so murmured negative sentiments. Next thing, we were in the crowd, eager faces were grinning, calling Franchot's name, applauding as they recognized him. Someone opened the car door, asked him to the mike, ignored his "Oh, you don't want me"—light bulbs flashed—Franchot was at the mike, his crooked grin showing, saying gracious, humorous things, with a twinkle in his eyes. As photogs and fans yelled, "Hello, Franchot!" he tossed it off. "They're just glad to see anybody," he said.

That's the night I got to know the guy. Set my policy. Just surprise him into the spotlight—where folks want him, and which, on him, looks good. Surprise him all you want, but don't take it for granted that you know how to "handle" Tone. He's full of surprises himself. Remember the leprechaun grin—and remember that leprechauns aren't like people, bound by the material importances. Remember they are bound by their own delightful sense of values, and Franchot is bound by his. Shy, sensitive, considerate, but elusive—and a hunk of granite when "no" is what he really means. You won't go wrong if you listen to the tone of Tone's voice.

The Screenland article in which Helen's comments appeared also included comments from Franchot's wife Jean, costar Janet Blair, and Jean's young sister Karol. I shared Jean Wallace's take on Franchot back in January. To read Jean's part of the article, please see Part 1 and Part 2.

Source: "Franchot's Femmes: Four Women in His Life Tell All, About the Suave and Elegant Mr. Tone." Screenland. July 1948. Vol 52, No.9.Page 42-43, 64-65.