Without Lying Down. Cari Beauchamp

if stories such as Doug Fairbanks made could be converted into westerns, with the heroic feats intelligently and humorously worked out and climaxes built to thrill audiences without cruelty to men or horses.”

      Frances felt tht if Fred went into producing or acting, it would provide a perfect solution on several levels. If he were occupied with something he believed was for a larger cause, the guilt she felt over taking him from the church would be assuaged, and it would also supply a solid rationale for him to be with her at the studio learning every aspect of filmmaking.

      “We talked about this at great length” and they were mutually convinced “here was to be Fred’s mission.” For the time being, he was content to study from the sidelines.²⁹

      Frances quickly scripted The Restless Sex for Marion Davies and The World and His Wife for Alma Rubens and she was concerned that in spite of her pride and confidence in Humoresque, it was being held back from immediate release. But this time she focused her attention on her private life; she and Fred had postponed their honeymoon long enough.

      They threw themselves a farewell party at the Rachmaninoff apartment and Frances’s brother, Len, and his wife, Mary Margaret, arrived with Marie Dressler and a young man she brought along from “Tin Pan Alley.” Frances was taken aback by Marie’s conservative black gown with a string of pearls. Her usual attire was marabou feathers and sequins or at least big bows and lace, but Marie had “gone elegant.” Frances held her tongue until Marie brought it up.

      “You’ve noticed the change in me?” Marie asked eagerly, and Frances just nodded.

      “It’s not only for Jim, he’s so refined, but when I was selling government bonds in Washington I met the crème de la crème of the Four Hundred and, my dear, I’ve become society’s pet. Now we’re back to England, where I’ll produce several musical comedies. Jim is finally getting his divorce and we’ll be married over there.”

      With a tinge of guilt over her hypocrisy, Frances said she was sorry Jim couldn’t make the party, and it was Hedda Hopper who said out loud what Frances was thinking. Listening to Marie’s affected speech, absent of all the former “ain’ts” and “damns,” Hedda said, “Ah, Lady Throckmorton, your A is broader than your rear. Come off that high perch, Marie. You’re among pals.”