An Interesting Independence Day Display

Both Harold Clurman, in his book The Fervent Years, and Robert Lewis, in his book Slings and Arrows, recounted Franchot defiantly celebrating the 4th of July alone while he was a member of the Group Theatre in the early 1930's. Both refer to this display as being attached to Franchot's frustration with the constant "plethora of intellectual talk and classic music", but that reason seems so in contrast with everything else I've learned about him. Franchot was a fond participator in deep discussion and I can't tell you how much I've read about his enthusiasm for classical music, especially Mozart.

But Franchot's time with the Group Theatre seemed to be a complicated mixture of joyful success and feelings of alienation and I have much more to share about that subject in a future post. Perhaps Franchot was just letting off steam or drunk. Perhaps even the most devoted Mozart fan can grow weary of endless playback.  Or, perhaps, Franchot was just very enthusiastic about Independence Day. Here's what Clurman said:

On the Fourth of July, Franchot alone had decided to celebrate by shooting off fireworks. He began rather early in the day. Perhaps this was his childhood custom, perhaps it released his tension, perhaps it was his protest against what seemed to be the indifference of the others to the proprieties of this holiday. Solitary, with darkened brow, he went from place to place over the grounds and set off his firecrackers. Carnovsky and others were fond of music and played recordings of Mozart at every opportunity (except one man who played Caruso records, and Puccini). Carnovsky, no longer able to tolerate Franchot's acoustic vandalism, came out on the porch and cried: "Franchot, for God's sake, I can't stand the noise." Franchot turned and yelled: "And I can't stand your  noise"—referring to Mozart and the rest. He stamped off yelling: "I am an American." 

I have written a little bit about the Group Theatre (click here), but have some more detailed stories of Franchot's time with the Group coming soon.

Happy Independence Day! Set off some fireworks for loin-clothed Franchot the American!

Photo Source: Slings and Arrows, 1996.

Sources: 
Clurman, Harold. The Fervent Years. Harcourt. 1945.
Lewis, Robert. Slings and Arrows: Theatre in My Life. 1996.

2017 at a Glance

Dancing Lady, 1933.

With 2018 quickly approaching, I compiled all of my 2017 exploration of Franchot in this link-filled post. I like to see what I've posted each year and revisit articles, quotes, and summaries that I've forgotten. Unfortunately, I didn't post as frequently in 2017 as I did in previous years, but I feel that I truly learned a great deal about Franchot this year—especially in regard to his theater career, his last decade, and his relationship with Barbara Payton.

I also added quite a bit of items to my Franchot memorabilia collection this year. I'm incredibly proud of my collection, but I do feel I got a tad obsessed with owning all the Franchot I could. It was a stressful year for me at times and I comforted myself with Franchot photograph purchases. In the last several months, I've realized that as comforting as a beautiful, original Franchot photograph is to me, I've been neglecting the pure joy that comes from watching his filmed work and having my nose stuck in obscure books searching for references to him. I think I've regained that balance of collecting and researching these past 2 months and plan to maintain it 2018.

I wish you all the best in 2018 and hope you'll continue on this journey of Finding Franchot with me!

Plays
Hope for the Best-1945
The Time of Your Life-1955 and 1958
Mandingo-1961
Beyond Desire-1967

Television
Witchcraft: Doll in Brambles-1950's
Ticket to Tahiti-1958
Bitter Heritage-1958
Alfred Hitchcock Hour-Final Performance-1965

Movies
One New York Night-1935
Three Loves Has Nancy-1938
Star Spangled Rhythm-1942
I Love Trouble-1948

Missed Opportunities
Gone with the Wind-1939
The Country Girl (play)

Personal Life
Reflections from Friendships/Coworkers: Janet Blair, Jean Dalrymple, Arthur Penn
Love Affairs: Barbara Payton: The Beginning, The Altercation, Marriage-Muir-and Malfunction, Franchot on Joan's Beauty and more, Franchot on Joan's Humor and more
Gatineau Treasure
Irving Thalberg's Support
A Theater of His Own
Pamp and the Yearbook

Magazine Articles and Interviews
Franchot Talks to TV Guide
Franchot Talks about Uncle Vanya
A Wealthy, but Sensitive Comrade
Franchot Thaws
Franchot Tells on Himself
The Winning Mr. Tone

Blogathons
I held the first ever Franchot Tone Blogathon in April 2017!
I also participated in the following blogathons:
The John Garfield Blogathon
The Bette Davis Blogathon
The Judy Garland Blogathon

Photos
I did photo posts here here and here.

My Take
Playing Against Type: Discovering Franchot's Characters
"He's No Gable!": Musings on Frequent Internet Mumblings
Reflecting on Franchot this September

Social Media
Don't forget you can also follow along with my Franchot fanaticism on Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

Fansite
My Finding Franchot fansite, a companion to this blog, is at www.findingfranchot.com.

Thanks for everything and Happy New Year!

The 3rd Annual Franchot Tone Holiday Gift Guide is Here!

Each year I choose a selection of Franchot-related items that will make great gifts for you or that special Franchot fan in your life. This year I have six suggestions, but please make sure to check out other great Franchot goodies that made it onto my previous holiday gift guides: 2015 and 2016.

Stage Mother DVD
This 1933 drama was just recently released on DVD by Warner Archive and is on my own wishlist this year. Although his character arrives late in the film and his part is not large, Franchot gives a great performance and is pivotal to the plot. Stage Mother is a gripping precode about a young woman (Maureen O'Sullivan) who wants to live an ordinary life  and escape the ill effects of her domineering mother (Alice Brady).

Find it at WBShop

Wall Art of Joan and Franchot in Dancing Lady
Art.com offers this shot of Franchot and Joan in a steamy moment in Dancing Lady. It comes in multiple sizes, frames, and mounts. I like this shot a lot, because they both look gorgeous and it's my favorite scene of theirs in that film.

Find it at Art.com

Wall Art of Franchot
Art.com also offers this square portrait of Franchot in multiple sizes and styles. When I buy FT photos, I usually stick to original 8x10s. But this particular shot from a favorite series of mine never pops up in original form and the thought of sizing it to my liking is very appealing.

Find it at Art.com

Nice Girl? DVD
I've been watching an old recorded copy of Nice Girl? forever. I noticed that Amazon now has Nice Girl? released on DVD through the Universal Vault Series.  I'm not sure how long it's been available, but I know it wasn't there a year or so ago. It's a fun comedy starring Deanna Durbin, Robert Stack, and Franchot Tone. I'm hoping Universal will release my favorite Durbin-Tone collaboration His Butler's Sister now!

Find it at Amazon

Franchot Tone-related Sheet Music
I've featured "Did I Remember" from Suzy on the Gift Guide image, but there are many pieces of sheet music available that are tie-ins to Franchot's work. Play them on the piano or, since they usually have nice photographic covers, frame them! Here are some that are on eBay right now:
"Learn How to Lose" from The King Steps Out
"Love at Last" from Nice Girl?
"When You're in Love" from The Girl Downstairs
"Stars In My Eyes" from The King Steps Out
"When You're Away" from His Butler's Sister
"Madly in Love" from The King Steps Out
"A Love Song of Long Ago" from They Gave Him a Gun

Find it on eBay

Five Graves to Cairo DVD
Franchot Tone starring in a Billy Wilder spy drama along with Anne Baxter and Erich von Stroheim? Yes, please! This 1943 film is a great addition to any DVD collection, whether the owner is a Franchot fan or not.

Find it at TCMShop

I wish you all a very happy holiday season!

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with or sponsored by any of the companies mentioned above (or anyone for that matter.) I also do not own the prints featured from art.com so I cannot attest to their quality first-hand.

2016 in Review

2016 has surely been an excellent year for me, Franchot-wise. I feel that I have gained so many new details on Franchot in the past 12 months and have discovered innumerable nuggets of information that bear more investigation. I started this blog in the spring of 2015 as a personal spot to celebrate someone I admire. My enthusiasm over Mr. Tone only multiplies with passing time it seems. Thanks for checking in here throughout the year and for all your thoughtful comments.

Before ringing in the new year with new posts, I've decided to share a summary of posts from this year. This year, I added summaries, photos, and information on individual plays, television shows, films, and voicework in which Franchot starred. Thankfully, Franchot worked endlessly so I've many films, shows, and plays yet to highlight. I featured more quotes and details about Franchot's personal life (which are my favorite items to read) and participated in many classic film blogathons. I had the best time putting together clips for a tribute video in January, added some neat memorabilia items to my collection, and created a traditional fansite for Franchot last spring. The Finding Franchot fansite still needs some work so I'm planning to focus heavily on finishing those pages this coming month in addition to my regular posting here.

Below, I've categorized and provided links to this year's posts in case you missed them the first time around.  I have a lot of future topics that I'm researching now and excited to share, but would love to hear any specific posts you'd enjoy reading. Please feel free to request any films, events, or subjects related to Franchot you'd like to see here in the future in the comments section of this post. Happy New Year!

Plays
Age of Innocence
The Dirty Old Man
The Gentle People
Strange Interlude

Television
All Hallow's Eve
Shadow Over Elveron
The Award
Eleventh Hour

Movies
Advise and Consent
The Bride Wore Red
Dangerous
Dark Waters
Every Girl Should Be Married
Exclusive Story
Gabriel Over the White House
Gentlemen are Born
The Girl Downstairs
The Gorgeous Hussy
Honeymoon
The King Steps Out
Nobody Runs Forever
Pilot No. 5
The Stranger's Return
Without Honor
Unguarded Hour

Voice Work/Radio
This is the U.N.
Information Please

Personal Life
Friendships/Coworkers: Christopher Plummer, Deanna Durbin, Doris Roberts, Helen Ferguson, Horton Foote, John Strasberg, Leading Ladies
Love Affairs: Dolores Dorn, Gloria Vanderbilt, Jean Wallace, Joan Crawford, Olivia DeHavilland
Personality: Acheson Award Presentation, The Actor's Angle, Charlie Chaplin Influence, Early Life in Niagara Falls, Publicity Leaps, Reserved Loner or Master Prankster?, Ties to the Gatineau Fish & Game Club
Politics: Blacklist, Nixon Luncheon, Political Ancestry
Random: French Film Finances, Grape Juice, Lemon Merengue Pie, Old Acquaintance, Photo Deja Vu, Shabby Chic, Stork Business

Blogathons
Agnes Moorehead Blogathon
The Bette Davis Blogathon
Cary Grant Blogathon
Classic Movie Ice Cream Social Blogathon
Hail to the Chief! Blogathon
Joan Crawford Blogathon
Loretta Young Birthday Blogathon
Royalty on Film Blogathon
Second Annual Barrymore Trilogy Blogathon
The Star-Studded Couple Blogathon
You Must Remember This...A Kiss is Just a Kiss Blogathon

2016 Franchot Tone Holiday Gift Guide

It's time for the 2nd Annual Franchot Tone Holiday Gift Guide!

This year's picks for that Franchot fan in your life (or, let's be honest, yourself!) are pictured above and include:

• Vintage tobacco card - Like many film stars, Franchot was featured on quite a few collectible tobacco cards in the 1930's and 40's. Some cards show portraits of Franchot while others show him with costars (for example, Jean Harlow.) Fortunately, you can find one at an affordable price on eBay. (I've only paid between $2 and $5 each for mine, but the ones with Harlow and Crawford list for much more.)
• Three Comrades DVD - This 1938 drama is one of Franchot's finest performances. It's a must-see! Margaret Sullavan, Robert Taylor, and Robert Young costar in this moving film.
• Love on the Run DVD - Although definitely a Crawford-Gable film, Franchot more than holds his own and is laugh-out-loud funny as the second lead.
• New reprint poster - I stumbled across this new poster print of Franchot at www.art.com. It's a great photo of him and available in multiple sizes!
• Unguarded Hour DVD - The lesser known of Franchot and Loretta Young's two films, Unguarded Hour is a clever, glamorous, and sophisticated mystery.
• Vintage magazine - Original magazines, like the one featuring Franchot and Deanna Durbin on the cover, can be found on eBay. Depending on condition, prices typically range anywhere from $4 to $40.

To see what made the list for last year's gift guide, click here.

Note: Hopefully you know this by now, but I am not affiliated with Amazon, eBay, or Art.com and not compensated in any way for anything I post on this site. These are simply great Franchot items and the annual gift guide is a bit of holiday fun.

All Hallow's Eve (1952)

Happy Halloween! I have a treat for you today, no tricks!

Franchot starred in an episode of Suspense that aired on October 28, 1952. Filmed live for television, Suspense was a popular mystery-thriller anthology that ran from 1949 to 1954. Each thirty-minute episode dealt with threatening characters and/or situations.

In the episode All Hallow's Eve, Franchot plays Markheim, a seeming sickly middle-aged man in need of money to marry. This episode is set in London in the 1880s and street urchins follow Markheim around hoping for treats. Markheim enters a Victorian pawnshop where he often trades objects for money. When the proprietor insinuates that Markheim is selling him stolen goods, Markheim makes a life-changing decision. What Markheim doesn't know is that there's a devilish creature that's been watching him since birth and this creature has witnessed the entire event.

Fortunately, All Hallow's Eve is available in full-length format on Youtube! If you can't see the embedded video below, click here.



I rewatched All Hallow's Eve first thing this morning to kick off my Halloween and it really is a creepy little tale. I'm sure it was a fun role for Franchot to play, because he's able to be this over-the-top character with big eyes, a looming stature, and gaping fear. Enjoy your day!

Top Twelve Tux Moments

Happy New Year's Eve! In honor of the new year, I'm counting down Franchot's Top Twelve Tux Moments in his film and television appearances.

12. Placing a high stakes bet in Twilight Zone: The Silence, 1961.

11. Supporting the relationship between a frail Margaret Sullavan and friend Robert Taylor in Three Comrades, 1938.

10. Mysteriously lingering in a doorway in Phantom Lady, 1944.

9. Giving Jean Harlow quite a performance in Bombshell, 1933.

8. Dodging a lion in his hotel room in Fast and Furious, 1939.

7. Longingly looking at Joan Crawford in Sadie McKee, 1934.

6. Walking toward a singing Deanna Durbin in His Butler's Sister, 1943.

5. Facing Joan Crawford and Robert Montgomery in No More Ladies, 1935.

4. Defending himself under scrutiny in The Unguarded Hour, 1936.

3. Falling in love with Constance Bennett all over again in Moulin Rouge, 1934.

2. Entertaining Joan Crawford in Dancing Lady, 1933.

1. Gazing at Loretta Young in Midnight Mary, 1933.

Franchot wears many a tux in many a film, so it was a bit of a challenge to pick my top 12. Wishing you a safe and happy New Year's Eve and all the best in 2016!

A Franchot Tone Holiday Gift Guide

Have a Franchot Tone fan in your life or want to treat yourself to a new Franchot DVD this holiday season? Here are my picks for the movies that should be wrapped under your tree!

 

• Wish you had been able to see Franchot in a live play? Buy the 1957 film Uncle Vanya. The film is staged like the play in which Franchot performed multiple times and was dear to his heart.

• Enjoy a little music with your comedy? Try Because of Him, a 1946 musical comedy teaming Franchot with the delightful Deanna Durbin and Tone's chum Charles Laughton.

• Eager to see Franchot in a darker role? Look for Phantom Lady, a 1944 film noir with Franchot in a deliciously devious part.

• Want to see footage that captures some of that Crawford-Tone magic? You must watch The Bride Wore Red, a 1937 romantic comedy starring Franchot as a sweet postman and Joan as his complicated dreamgirl.

• Looking for more of a period piece? Look no further than Quality Street which was written by J.M. Barrie and costars Franchot with a young Katharine Hepburn.

• Intrigued by political drama and scandal? Advise & Consent is the way to go! This 1962 film directed by Otto Preminger stars an older Franchot as the U.S. President.

• Hoping for a mixture of war, romantic, and gangster drama in one film? You'll love 1937's They Gave Him a Gun starring Franchot, Spencer Tracy, and Gladys George.

• Ready to laugh out loud at a fast-paced, quick-quipped comedy? Fast and Furious, a 1939 comedy pairing Franchot with Ann Sothern is charming. Bonus: The DVD comes with two other films in the Joel and Garda Sloane series. (The other films in the series do not feature Franchot, however.)

• Avid for adventure? See Franchot as a lieutenant in India during the British Raj in The Lives of a Bengal Lancer, a 1935 film featuring Gary Cooper and Richard Cromwell.

• Collect Oscar Best Picture Winners on DVD? Make sure you have the 1935 Oscar winner Mutiny on the Bounty! Franchot was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in this sea adventure.

Already own every single Franchot DVD available? Think about using eBay or another auction/used goods site to add some original photos, lobby cards, playbills, or movie posters to your collection!