tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660581276521005822.post1643056633659589113..comments2024-03-28T04:25:44.179-05:00Comments on Lone Wolf Concerto: WRITING ABOUT HOLLYWOOD (and Frances Farmer)Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619128793632680659noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660581276521005822.post-19509856960422413032018-10-07T16:56:24.703-05:002018-10-07T16:56:24.703-05:00Myra, I've not only made enemies in high place...Myra, I've not only made enemies in high places, I've made them in low places, too. <br />Hypocrisy and shallowness are prevalent everywhere.....<br />Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02619128793632680659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660581276521005822.post-79615685447462323212018-10-07T15:47:48.027-05:002018-10-07T15:47:48.027-05:00I'm embarrassed to admit, this is all new to m...I'm embarrassed to admit, this is all new to me. Nevertheless -- and because I'm intimately acquainted with hypocrisy and shallowness in the workplace -- I'm intrigued! (No doubt, I've made enemies in high places, but they're all behind me now.)Mevely317https://www.blogger.com/profile/14786988262452989091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660581276521005822.post-53742865269058216822018-10-07T15:34:18.537-05:002018-10-07T15:34:18.537-05:00Francis Farrmer's extremely dominating mother ...Francis Farrmer's extremely dominating mother was undoubtedly the main source of her many psychological problems.Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02619128793632680659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660581276521005822.post-245197295785742062018-10-07T15:31:46.201-05:002018-10-07T15:31:46.201-05:00Paul, I remember seeing that clip from the Ed Sull...Paul, I remember seeing that clip from the Ed Sullivan Show. She seems hesitant and rather confused (or perhaps frightened).<br /><br />Frances Farmer originally sang "Aura Lee" in the 1936 movie "Come and Get It" and she was superb. That can be found on YouTube.Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02619128793632680659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660581276521005822.post-9267169391361955252018-10-07T15:29:56.200-05:002018-10-07T15:29:56.200-05:00Hey Ron - I never knew that you read "Will Th...Hey Ron - I never knew that you read "Will There Really Be a Morning?". It is a really good book, even though it was "enhanced" by one of Frances Farmer's friends after she died (and before the book was published).<br /><br />I never knew very much about Barbara Payton until you sent me the book. WOW!!!!! Her life was really a Hollywood tragedy. She was afforded so many golden opportunities and she blew them all. I've never written anything about her - - it would probably be too overwhelming!<br />DeleteJonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02619128793632680659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660581276521005822.post-26977769091879030422018-10-07T15:29:16.488-05:002018-10-07T15:29:16.488-05:00Yes, Rita - the movie "Francis" came out...Yes, Rita - the movie "Francis" came out in 1982 and featured Jessica Lange in the starring role. There was also a TV movie about Francis but I never saw it.Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02619128793632680659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660581276521005822.post-78104255036454182442018-10-07T15:14:57.472-05:002018-10-07T15:14:57.472-05:00Dylan, I'm sorry to hear that you're down ...Dylan, I'm sorry to hear that you're down with a cold and hope you'll be feeling better soon. I'm also delighted that you like this post.<br /><br />It's a shame that so many inaccuracies about Frances Farmer are still being perpetuated. Many people prefer to rely on myths rather than checking for facts (I recently read a book about Lizzie Borden and it was filled with misinformation).<br /><br />Frances definitely NEVER had a lobotomy, but it is still largely believed. I do think that she had some shock treatments (which were so prevalent back then)- and they always did more harm than good. The victims of those barbaric tactics often became emotional zombies.<br />(I'm no expert on the subject, but I've read quite a lot about it).<br /><br />I've never seen "Flowing Gold", and I admittedly haven't seen a Francis Farmer movie in a long time. I'll have to check YouTube to see if any are available.<br />(Lately YouTube has been deleting so many films for copyright violations that it's extremely annoying. If you see a film that you like, watch it immediately before they expunge it!).Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02619128793632680659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660581276521005822.post-18848093393342796402018-10-07T14:53:51.841-05:002018-10-07T14:53:51.841-05:00I had no doubt that you would be classy by using o...I had no doubt that you would be classy by using opera glasses rather than a microscope. Bad behavior was definitely not condoned by the Studios in those days - and I admire Francis for her unconventional behavior.<br /><br />I also had to laugh when I heard that she dislocated the jaw of a studio hairdresser. Too bad that incident wasn't captured on film....Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02619128793632680659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660581276521005822.post-40953250429070000302018-10-07T10:33:14.470-05:002018-10-07T10:33:14.470-05:00Wasn't there a movie made about her life? Fra...Wasn't there a movie made about her life? Francis or something like that? I know I watched it and felt so sorry for her. I can't read the article (too small) but a very late congrats on getting published all those times. Kudos! :)Ritahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660581276521005822.post-45537423753164654422018-10-07T10:21:41.426-05:002018-10-07T10:21:41.426-05:00John,
I read Frances Farmer's autobiography &q...John,<br />I read Frances Farmer's autobiography "Will There Really Be a Morning". I still have that 35 cent paperback book. My memory of reading about her life and her descent into hell (which is what she went through at the mental institution) was haunting. One act of cruelty on her which has always stayed in my memory is one of the attendants at the institution shoving her head into a toilet. I have never forgotten that singular act of unnecessary cruelty. I continue to be impressed with all your many talents Jon with that article you wrote about Frances. Thanks for posting your post about this tragic movie star. Did you ever write anything about Barbara Payton?<br />RonRonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161930319264523497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660581276521005822.post-88641770403279633662018-10-07T08:02:07.134-05:002018-10-07T08:02:07.134-05:00The first time I saw Frances Farmer was on "T...The first time I saw Frances Farmer was on "The Ed Sullivan Show". She sang "Aura Lee" and there was such sadness there that her performance has always remained with me. It was after that, that I learned the reason why. What a horror story!paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02085842904367441128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660581276521005822.post-61875659468462088772018-10-07T07:33:42.052-05:002018-10-07T07:33:42.052-05:00Jon, this post really made my day/night (I've ...Jon, this post really made my day/night (I've been up for 12 hours nursing a rather nasty cold - so will soon try to get some much needed sleep). I bet I'll end up dreaming about Frances Farmer :-)<br /><br />I love all the pics you found! And your article looks very professional! I can see why the magazine decided to publish it. There's been some talk about a new biography (the true story of her life and times), but I'm not holding my breath. There's already been 3 books and 2 movies (one was made for TV), so I think most people are satisfied with the myth (instead of the truth) about Frances. That's why I'm glad I'm not the only one to be genuinely captivated by her!<br /><br />I have a poet friend (and he's a very good poet) that wrote an excellent poem about her. It was published and got a lot of attention. However, the poem was all about how tragic it was that such a beautiful and talented actress was given a lobotomy for being too intelligent and hating Hollywood big time. When I told him she was never subjected to a lobotomy - he seemed both shocked and a little hurt. Anyway, it would be nice if more people knew the truth...<br /><br />Thank you for finding and posting your FF article! Hopefully it will encourage people to give one or two of her movies a long peek. Flowing Gold (with John Garfield) is next on my list. It was made near the end of her movie career, but most of the reviews state that she had not lost any of her beauty or magic. <br /><br />Again, I am both flattered and honored by your post :-)<br /><br />- DylanDylan Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759482060384749407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660581276521005822.post-75768701317045695732018-10-06T17:22:39.209-05:002018-10-06T17:22:39.209-05:00fascinating. a shame her mother had her commited.fascinating. a shame her mother had her commited.TARYTERREhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14620999913159718018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8660581276521005822.post-91756447463565825762018-10-06T16:13:13.609-05:002018-10-06T16:13:13.609-05:00After getting out my opera glasses, I found that t...After getting out my opera glasses, I found that to be a interesting read. I've heard of her, but can't say I remember seeing her in any movies, but it's amazing how current her torment is and the antics....just like her modern day counter parts. It was rare to see them back then "acting out" and dirt was swept deep under the carpets from public view. Great article JonMistress Maddiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02098940220513091207noreply@blogger.com