Franchot on Understanding the Acting Profession

Franchot over breakfast. Source: Elmira Star-Gazette.

Reporter Peggy Gallagher interviewed Franchot over breakfast on his first morning in Elmira, New York. He was due to give a presentation on Mark Twain at Elmira College that evening. When asked if he was comfortable portraying older men or father figures, Franchot assured that he felt very comfortable in the role and proudly talked of his sons Pat and Jeff:

And, the rascals! They both want to be actors...A useless profession! Unless you thoroughly understand it, of course. But, I don't see that they'll ever work their way out. They're thoroughly soaked in theater. 

Franchot went on to explain that although he'd prefer "physics, law, chemistry" for his sons, he would not have chosen a different life for himself.

But, that's what I mean—I understand it. Let me explain it this way: entertainment, as a function of escape for the human race, has been in its best times a signpost to the greater aspirations of which the human race is capable...how's that sound for 9:30 in the morning?

When Gallagher pressed for more meaning, Franchot answered:

It means the entertainment business makes dreams real—and it's the dreams of man which have made our world possible.

Franchot went on to share that he preferred the theater over film because of the "immediate relationship with the audience."

And when asked about the high point of his career, Franchot insisted that his high point was still to come.

There was a very wonderful book by the author, Christopher Morley, about a cocker spaniel named Mr. Gissing. Mr. Gissing lived in a valley. He kept looking at the hillside and at the blue beyond. He decided he wanted to climb the hill and find out where the blue began. But when he reached the top, doggone if he didn't find another hill!

The novel that Franchot refers to is Where the Blue Begins and was first published in 1922 and its author also penned the 1939 novel Kitty Foyle, which was brought to the screen with Ginger Rogers in the title role in 1940.

Franchot talked quite a bit with Elmira reporters (here's what he said about politics) and there is more to come about his presentation on Mark Twain!

Source:
Gallagher, Peggy. "Franchot to Give Twain Tone." Elmira Star-Gazette. October 14, 1960.

Five Year Anniversary

Cheers! This past week marked five years since the first post on Finding Franchot. I've had a wonderful five years connecting with other fans and learning so much about Franchot in the process. Having this space available to share Franchot facts has been such a positive thing in my life and I hope reading it has been positive for you. Thank you!

In the last six months I've made some additional pages on the blog that may not be readily apparent if you're using a mobile device so I wanted to point those out in this post. For several years I also had a separate fansite where I uploaded photos and a timeline and life history of Franchot. This past year I decided to merge all of that information here in one place on the original blog. It seemed silly to be paying for a separate website when I was mostly utilizing this free blog for my posts and I realized I could host all of those pages here on the blog in a quality way. So now it's all in one place, easier for me to keep up with, and I can spend the money I save from not paying for a website to buying more Franchot photos (always a perk!).

Obviously, there are my regular blog posts here, but there are also the following pages:

Photos - where I've posted all my scanned photos of Franchot and newspaper clipping photos

Timeline and Facts - where I've posted a timeline of Franchot's life, fast facts, his obituary and a biographical sketch

Quotes - where I've posted statements made by Franchot and by other notable people about Franchot

Family - where I've posted photos and links to information about Franchot's parents, brother, ancestors, wives, and sons

Filmography - where I've posted summaries, links to detailed blog posts and photos for Franchot's movies

Theater - where I've posted play titles with photos and links to detailed blog posts for Franchot's theater work

TV & Radio - where I've posted titles with photos and links to detailed blog posts for Franchot's television and radio work

If you were wondering where the fansite went, it's just moved its home to this original space. I have more information and photos to add to these pages and I'll continue to do so. Thanks for your support and patience! 

Franchot on Politics

Franchot found himself in a sea of reporters and fans when he landed at an airport in Elmira, New York in 1960. Franchot asked them to gather in the airport waiting room, where reporter Mary Lee Morken said he "wrapped the crowd around him like a cloak" and answered questions. When Franchot was asked by a newsman whether or not he had ever participated in political work, Franchot responded:

I was one of the members of the Hollywood Democratic Committee. We were quite active. Melvyn Douglas and lot of others—I can't remember now. It was back about 1940. I think we were quite influential in breaking up—well, let me put it this way. We helped elect Olson, who was the first Democratic governor elected in California in 50 years. We helped break the way for Gov. Warren, one of the finest statesmen of our times.

When someone asked whether actors should even be "mixed up" in politics, Franchot is described as bristling and answering disdainfully:

I think every citizen should be 'mixed up' in politics.

Another person in the crowd broke the tension by asking Franchot if he'd consider playing Abraham Lincoln. Franchot made the crowd laugh when he answered:

I'd be afraid to play Lincoln. Any actor who plays Lincoln is never happy until they shoot him.

Franchot granted multiple interviews during his visit to Elmira College where he was speaking on Mark Twain and his performance as Twain in the television production The Shape of the River. I will be sharing more of Franchot's quotes from this trip as well as details of his itinerary over the next week.

Click here for previous posts on Franchot and politics.

Source:
Morken, Mary Lee. "Actor Long Acquainted with Twain." Elmira Advertiser. October 14, 1960. 

Between Two Women (1937)

Directed by George B. Seitz and starring Franchot Tone, Maureen O'Sullivan and Virginia Bruce, the medical drama Between Two Women premiered to American audiences on July 9, 1937.

Between Two Women is one of my favorite Franchot movies and I keep hoping it is going to be released on DVD by Warner Archive. It deserves a quality DVD release. It is a great romantic drama, well acted by all of its cast, and Franchot particularly shines in this role.

The film received positive reviews from the fan magazines at the time. Hollywood Magazine said that it was "smoothly directed...a convincing story of the loves, desires and heartaches of those who minister to humanity...[Tone, Bruce, O'Sullivan] have never appeared to better advantage than in this powerful drama." Photoplay called it, "unusually exciting and realistic...Franchot Tone brings all his ability to the role...Splendid." Silver Screen devoted an entire article to the film and its story.
While I will not spoil the final events of the film, the film summary that follows will include some plot spoilers.

Silver Screen Magazine. August 1937.

Allan Meighan (Franchot Tone) is a studious, conscientious intern in a large hospital. He's referred to by one patient as the "strong, silent man who saved my life." Claire Donahue (Maureen O'Sullivan) is a nursing intern who is promoted to head surgical nurse. Allan and Claire are good friends and enjoy working together.

Allan has a few more weeks until he will begin residency. He's applied to his current hospital but hasn't received word yet. After intern Tony Woolcott refuses to go to an accident scene, Allan goes instead. When he has to amputate an arm to save the life of a man trapped in rubble, Allan is named resident at the hospital.

Claire's husband Tom is an alcoholic who can't keep his job and hits his wife. He often stops by the hospital to ask for money from Claire. Claire makes excuses, "He only drinks because he's discouraged because he feels licked."

Socialite Patricia "Pat" Sloan (Virginia Bruce) crashes her car due to passing out from a ruptured appendix. Allan performs surgery and requests Claire "the best nurse he knows" for night duty. Patricia makes eyes at Allan as soon as she wakes from the anesthesia and notices how uncomfortable Claire becomes by it.

Tony Woolcott (Leonard Penn), a wealthy intern who recklessly drinks on the job and has no care for humanity, has eyes for Pat, but Pat desires to be the bride of Dr. Meighan. Allan warns her that he doesn't make enough money to get married. She makes an agreement that he buy necessities and she'll add a few luxuries with her own money.

Allan falls in love with Pat but fears that he won't make her happy.When Claire walks into the hospital room, Pat announces that they are engaged. Claire is shocked. She cries alone as she walks the hospital hallways.

There are already cracks showing in the marriage immediately after the honeymoon when Pat is less than thrilled about living in a modest home. They clearly are attracted to each other but Allan's first duty is to the hospital and Pat does not want his attention divided. Allan is called away from each social engagement they attend because he's needed in surgery. With each call, Pat grows more resentful.

When Allan starts to ignore his duty to the hospital to please Pat, he begins missing out on big professional opportunities and growth for himself as a surgeon. Allan questions Claire about why she stays with a drunk and Claire responds, "You see, I've adjusted my life to Tom. You still haven't adjusted yours to Patricia."

I'm going to stop here with the summary because the last half of the film has several huge moments that change the direction of Allan's plans and stir different feelings in his heart. It's a moving, unassuming film that hooks me every time I watch it. It comes on television every so often, but I'm hoping Warner Archive realizes what a gem this movie is and releases it soon.

Sources:
Silver Screen Magazine. August 1937.
Photoplay. September 1937.
Hollywood. September 1937.
Modern Screen. March 1938.