Go West, Young Women!

by Hilary Hallett

  121. U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Education, Motion Pictures Hearings, 1916 (New York: Arno Press, 1978), 8.

  122. “International Reform Bureau Plans, 1919–1922,” 20th Century Quarterly 18.3 (1919): 6.

  123. On Chase and Crafts’s consistent teamwork, see “Extracts from Hearings before the Committee on Education”; U.S. House of Representatives, Motion Pictures Hearings, 1916. On Chase’s role in New York’s 1907 closings, see Staiger, Bad Women, 95–96, 98, 102, 107–108.

  124. “90 percent”: “Producers Agree to Reform Films.” For the other quotes in this paragraph, see “Brady Wants Trade to Reform Movies,” NYT, March 21, 1921, p. 11; Chase, “Catechism of Motion Pictures in Inter-state Commerce,” 57–58, 61.

  125. “The Nation-Wide Battle over Movie Purification.” This article surveys newspapers that had publicized Chase’s arguments. See also “In the Name of Liberty,” Moving Picture World (Dec. 25, 1920): 979.

  126. Chase, “Catechism on Motion Pictures in Inter-state Commerce,” 57; see also 13, 14, 21, 24, 57–58, 61, 66, 68–71, 76, 121–122.

  127. On his possible Klan membership, see Kevin Brownlow, Behind the Mask of Innocence (New York: Knopf, 1990), 56. Chase earned praise from The Searchlight; see “Canon Chase: Episcopalian Defends the Klan,” The Searchlight, quoted in Carr, Hollywood and Anti-Semitism, 70.

  128. Chase, “Catechism on Motion Pictures in Inter-state Commerce,” 60, 116, 66, 115–119, 67, 22, 107.

  129. Chase quoted in Leigh Ann Wheeler, “Rescuing Sex from Prudery and Prurience: American Women’s Use of Sex Education as an Antidote to Obscenity,” Journal of Women’s History 12.3 (2000): 175.

  130. “Should Moving Pictures Be Censored?” 652. See also “Overdoing the Sex Motive in Moving Pictures”; “Revamping the Vampire,” The Nation (Aug. 10, 1921): 140; Gertrude Atherton, “Is There a Moral Decline,” The Forum (March 1921): 312.

  131. Sumner, “Are American Morals Disintegrating?” 610–611.

  132. “Movie Abuses a National Calamity,” Literary Digest, March 12, 1921, pp. 32.

  133. “The Nation-Wide Battle over Movie Purification.”

  134. Sydney Cohen, quoted in Literary Digest, Feb. 19, 1921.

  135. “Twisting the Political Tale Brings a Roar,” Moving Picture World (Sept. 10, 1921): 148–149.

  136. On the resolution, see Congressional Record, 61:5621–5622 (Aug. 24, 1921). On the FTC, see “Final Sections of Federal Trade Bill,” Wid's Daily, Sept. 10, 1921, p. 2; “'Have Violated No Law’ Says Executives of Famous Players,” Exhibitors Herald (Sept. 17, 1921): 33–36.

  137. The law allowed the governor to appoint three censors at $7,500 a year to determine if a movie was “obscene, indecent, immoral, inhuman, sacrilegious” or “would tend to corrupt morals or incite to crime.” See Young, “Motion Pictures,” 41–46.

  CHAPTER 5. A STAR IS BORN

  1. “Chicago Best City for Girls,” Chicago Evening American, Jan. 3, 1913, p. 3.

  2. Ibid.

  3. Displaying the period's typically careless approach to spelling, the article used “Rappe” throughout, but listed her name as Virginia Rapp under the picture. See also “Tragedy Marked Virginia Here,” Chicago Herald and Examiner, Sept. 16, 1921, p. 3.

  4. A Foolish Virgin (Clara Kimball Young Film Corporation, 1916); Paradise Garden (Metro, 1917). Harold Lockwood was a popular romantic lead before he died in 1918 during the influenza pandemic. On Julian Eltinge, see Daniel Hurewitz, Bohemian Los Angeles and the Making of Modern Politics (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2007), 27–38.

  5. An Adventuress (Republic, 1920). The film was reissued again as Isle of Love in 1922, after Valentino became a star. On the drop in the production of war films by 1920, see DeBauche, Reel Patriotism, 166.

  6. Jan. 2, 1919, Parsons Scrapbook no. 3, MHL. His Musical Sneeze (Sunshine Comedies, 1919); A Twilight Baby (Sunshine Comedies, 1920).

  7. “A Star at Last,” editorial, Variety, Sept. 23, 1921, p. 9.

  8. “Time to Clean Up the Movies,” Literary Digest (Oct. 15, 1921): 28–29.

  9. Alice Kessler-Harris, “Independence and Virtue in the Lives of Wage-Earning Women in the United States,” in Judith Friedlander, Blanche Wiesen Cook, and Alice Kessler-Harris, eds., Women in Culture and Politics (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1986), 3–17.

  10. “S.F. Booze Party Kills Young Actress,” San Francisco Examiner, Sept. 10, 1921, p. 1. I looked on microfilm at the coverage in eight daily newspapers. Hearst owned three: the New York American (hereafter NYA); Chicago Herald and Examiner (hereafter CHE); and San Francisco Examiner (hereafter SFX). I also looked at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (hereafter STL), Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and San Francisco Chronicle (hereafter SFC).

  11. On the coroner's inquest, see “History of the Case,” Rappe Death Report.

  12. Assessing the popularity of comedic stars is more difficult than with other types. While the genre of slapstick encountered little opposition from reformers, most comedians were treated as a separate, slightly vulgarized class. See Koszarski, An Evening's Entertainment, 262. For a claim that Arbuckle was rated “second only to Chaplin,” see Sklar, Movie-Made America, 107. A 1921 poll ranked Arbuckle ahead of Chaplin; see Moving Picture World (March 19, 1921): 12.

  13. Al Semnacher, “The People of the State of California vs. Roscoe Arbuckle for Murder, in the Police Court of the City and County of San Francisco, Department No. 2, Honorable Sylvain J. Lazarus, Judge,” 158, Special Collections, San Francisco Public Library (hereafter Court Transcript).

  14. “Arbuckle and Lawyer Leave for Bay City,” LAT, Sept. 10, 1921, pt. 2, pp. 1, 8.

  15. “S.F. Booze Party Kills Young Actress,” 1–2. See also “Arbuckle's Death Party Told in Court,” CHE, Sept. 13, 1921, 1; “Fatty Arbuckle to Face Charge of Murder Today: Death of Actress in Hotel Suite Laid to Comedian,” BDE, Sept. 12, 1921, p. 1; “Arbuckle Is Jailed on Murder Charge in Woman's Death,” NYT, Sept. 12, 1921, p. 1.

  16. “Arbuckle Is Charged with Murder of Girl: Actress’ Dying Words Cause Star's Arrest,” SFX, Sept.11, 1921, p. 1; “Nurse Relates Last Words of Dying Actress,” NYA, Sept. 12, 1921, p. 1.

  17. “Torn Silk Garments of Dead Girl Found in Los Angles,” SFX, Sept 12, 1921, p. 2; “Dead Actress in Character,” NYA, Sept. 13, 1921, p. 3.

  18. “Arbuckle Is Charged with Murder of Girl,” 1–2. “Bosom friend”: “Woman Makes Formal Charge: Dead Girl's Bosom Friend Gives Police More Details,” NYA, Sept. 13, 1921, p. 1; “protectorix”: “'Fatty’ in Court and Principal Accusers,” CHE, Sept. 17, 1921, p. 3; “chaperon”: “'Wild Night’ in Arbuckle's Rooms Told by Mrs. Delmont, Chaperon of Ill-Fated Virginia Rappe,” NYA, Sept. 18, 1921, p. 3.

  19. See also “Arbuckle Returns to San Francisco and Denies Anything Improper—Men in Party Back Him Up—WOMEN CONTRADICT THIS,” NYT, Sept. 11, 1921, p. 1. “Actor Denies He's Fugitive: Holds ‘Fatty’ Blameless; Leaves for New York,” CHE, Sept. 21, 1921, p. 3.

  20. “Miss Rappe Was Designer, Film Actress,” SFX, Sept. 11, 1921, p. 3; “Dead Actress Rich and Noted for Her Gowns,” NYA, Sept. 12, 1921, p. 3; “Miss Virginia Rappe Dies following a Party in Movie Actor's Rooms,” NYT, Sept. 11, 1921, p. 2.

  21. The two films were The Punch of the Irish (First National, 1921) and A Twilight Baby (Sunshine Comedies, 1920). “Many Bruises Are Found by the Coroner on Girl's Body,” SFX, Sept., 11, 1921, p. 3.

  22. “Physician Tells Detail [sic] of Physical Examination,” SFX, Sept. 11, 1921, p. 3; “Facing Charge of Perjury, 2 Girls Testify,” SFX, Sept. 14, 1921, p. 2.

  23. See “Arbuckle Indicted for Murder,” NYT, Sept. 14, 1921, p. 3.

  24. Rumwell quoted in “Remains of Miss Rappe at Morgue,” SFX, Sept. 11, 1921, p. 3. “Post Mortem by Rumwell Held Illegil [sic],” SFX, Sept. 12, 1921, p. 3. Brady quoted in “Remains of Miss Rappe at Morgue.” Beardslee quoted in Court Transcript, 198–199, 202–203.

  25. “Brady Asks Arbuck
le Indictment Today: Witnesses Guarded, Intimidation Feared,” SFX, Sept. 12, 1921, p. 1. See also “Arbuckle Is Jailed on Murder Charge in Woman's Death” “Film Comedian Is Locked Up without Bail: Will Not Talk,” NYA, Sept. 12, 1921, p. 1; “Witness against Arbuckle Recants; Another Missing,” BDE, Sept. 13, 1921, p. 1; “Arbuckle's Death Party Told in Court.”

  26. Henry Lehrman quoted in Louis Fehr, “Dead Girl's Fiancé Calls Prisoner Beast: ‘Can't Face Arbuckle: I'd Kill Him,’ He Says,” SFX, Sept. 12, 1921, p. 1. Lehrman's first interview was carried in “Fiance of Dead Film Actress Vows Vengeance: ‘Must Reckon with Me If He Is Freed,’ Says Henry Lehrman,” NYA, Sept. 12, 1921, p. 1; “'I'd Kill Him,’ Says Fiancé of Virginia,” CHE, Sept. 12, 1921, p. 1; “'Arbuckle Beast from the Gutter; I Would Kill Him,’ Declares Virginia's Fiancé,” LAT, Sept. 12, 1921, p. 1; “Miss Rappe's Fiancé Threatens Vengeance,” NYT, Sept. 13, 1921, p. 2; “'Fatty’ Arbuckle to Face Charge of Murder Today.” See also “Won Honors as Girl,” CHE, Sept. 13, 1921, p. 3; “Girl of High Ideals, Says Her Companion,” NYA, Sept. 13, 1921, p. 1; “L.A. Realtor Pays Tribute to Virginia Rappe,” SFX, Sept. 15, 1921, p. 2; “Virginia Rappe, Gifted as Dancer, Shrank from Stage,” CHE, Sept. 21, 1921, p. 3; “Rappe's Beauty Too Fine for Film Stardom,” CHE, Sept. 25, 1921, p. 3.

  27. “Roscoe Arbuckle Faces an Inquiry on Woman's Death,” NYT, Sept. 11, 1921, p. 1; “Arbuckle Jailed for Murder: Bail Is Denied,” LAT, Sept. 11, 1921, p. 1; “Arbuckle Faces Probe in Death of Actress,” NYA, Sept. 11, 1921, p. 1; “'Fatty’ Arbuckle Detained by Police after Actress Dies,” BDE, Sept. 11, 1921, p. 1; “Hold ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle in Girl's Death: Virginia Rappe, Former Chicago Girl Dies after Gay Party,” CHE, Sept. 11, 1921, p. 1; “'Fatty’ Arbuckle Detained after Actress’ Death,” STL, Sept. 11, 1921, p. 1.

  28. “Arbuckle Dragged Rappe Girl to Room, Woman Testifies,” NYT, Sept. 12, 1921, p. 1. West Coast newspapers particularly dominated their markets; see Nasaw, The Chief, 313–314, 322–323, 386.

  29. William Randolph Hearst to Adolph Zukor, Sept. 21, 1921, Zukor Correspondence, file 4, MHL.

  30. See Sennett, King of Comedy, 64–67; Ramsaye, A Million and One Nights, 542–543. See also Ephraim Katz, The Film Encyclopedia (New York: Perigee, 1979), 708–709.

  31. See note 26, this chapter. Other interviews with Lehrman include “Lehrman Asks Law's Justice on Arbuckle,” SFX, Sept. 13, 1921, p. 3; “'Convict Him,’ Brady Urged by Telegram,” SFX, Sept. 14, 1921, p. 2; “Lehrman Sends Money to Pay Witness's Bill,” NYA, Sept. 15, 1921, p. 2; “Brady Again Commended by Lehrman,” SFX, Sept. 16, 1921, p. 2; “Dead Ears Will Hear Love Words, Fiance Is Sure,” CHE, Sept. 17, 1921, p. 3; “Virginia Rappe's Beauty Was Too Fine for Film Stardom” “8,000 at L.A. View Body of Virginia Rappe,” SFX, Sept. 19, 1921, p. 1.

  32. Fehr, “Dead Girl's Fiance Calls Prisoner Beast” “Chum of Dead Girl Makes New Charges,” CHE, Sept. 13, 1921, 3; “Mrs. Spreckles Only Deathbed Caller,” NYA, Sept. 13, 1921, 3.

  33. “Falstaff of the Movies and Victim of the ‘Party,’” CHE, Sept. 14, 1921, p. 2. The event moved from a “gay party” to an orgy immediately after Lehrman's interview; see “Three Striking Poses of Virginia Rappe, Victim in Arbuckle Orgy,” LAT, Sept. 14, 1921, p. 1; “'Lead the Quiet Life,’ Was the Last Advice of Virginia Rappe to Girls; Victim of Orgy,” NYA, Sept. 14, 1921, p. 3; “Zey Prevost Tells of Wild Orgy,” SFX, Sept. 15, 1921, p. 2; “Persons Supplying Booze at Orgy Are to Be Prosecuted,” SFX, Sept. 15, 1921, p. 3; “Tampering with ‘Orgy’ Witnesses Suspected by the Police,” SFX, Sept. 16, 1921, p. 2; “Lay Death of Virginia to Third Man at Orgy,” CHE, Sept. 18, 1921, pp. 1, 3; “'Wild Night’ in Arbuckle's Rooms Told at Inquest” “Third Person with Girl and Actor in ‘Orgy,’ Is Hint,” NYA, Sept. 19, 1921, pp. 1, 3; “Brady Wires to Stop ‘Orgy’ Guest,” SFX, Sept. 21, 1921, p. 1.

  34. Mollie Merrick, “Yesterday's Jester,” SFX, Sept. 14, 1921, p. 2; “thorough Bohemian”: Dallas Morning News, Sept. 12, 1921, p. 1.

  35. “Stepmother Says Money Ruined ‘Fatty,’” CHE, Sept. 12, 1921, p. 5; “Fatty Began Life as a $3-a-Day Super,” NYA, Sept. 12, 1921, p. 3; “Arbuckle Once a Plumber,” LAT, Sept. 12, 1921, p. 2; “Fatty Arbuckle Had ‘Thin’ Time in Early Days: Never Good Actor in Stage Roles,” BDE, Sept. 13, 1921, p. 2; “'Fatty’ Former Show Barker,” LAT, Sept. 13, 1921, p. 2; “Story of Farm Boy's Rise to Film Star,” NYA, Sept. 13, 1921, p. 2.

  36. “Death Party Told in Court,” CHE, Sept. 13, 1921, p. 1. See also “Girl Witness in Arbuckle Case Accused,” SFX, Sept. 13, 1921, p. 2; “Witness against Arbuckle Recants” “Woman Makes Formal Charge: Bitter Legal Battle Is On,” NYA, Sept. 13, 1921, 1, 3; “Arbuckle Dragged Rappe Girl to Room, Woman Testifies.”

  37. “'Lead the Quiet Life,’ Was the Last Advice of Virginia Rappe to Girls” “Hope for Fame Lured Actress to Her Death,” NYA, Sept. 14, 1921, p. 3. See also “Another Girl Was Attacked at Fatal Arbuckle Party,” BDE, Sept. 13, 1921, p. 1; “Falstaff of the Movies and Victim of the ‘Party.’”

  38. “Life of Virginia: Miss Rappe's Ambition Led Her to Play with Fire,” CHE, Sept. 26, 1921, p. 3; “'Wild Night’ of in Arbuckle's Rooms Told at Inquest.”

  39. Robert H. Wilson, “Stories Told Coroner, Jury Conflicting,” SFX, Sept. 14, 1921, pp. 2–4. See also “Dying Girl Hid Secret, Nurses Say,” CHE, Sept. 14, 1921, p. 3; “Arbuckle Indicted for Manslaughter,” NYT, Sept. 14, 1921, p. 2; “Proceedings of the Day,” LAT, Sept. 14, 1921, p. 2. Alice Blake and Zey Prevost were continually referred to as “show girl witnesses.” On blackmail charges, see “Alice Blake Tells of Visit to Arbuckle,” SFX, Sept. 12, 1921, p. 3; “Alice Blake, One of Death Party Quizzed by Prosecutor,” NYA, Sept. 14, 1921, pp. 1, 3; “Zey Prevost Tells of Wild Orgy” “Charge Bribe Offered to Woman Witness in Arbuckle Case,” CHE, Sept. 15, 1921, pp. 1, 3.

  40. “They Walked into His Parlour,” SFX, Sept. 15, 1921, p. 1; “Entangled in the Web of His Own Weaving,” NYA, Sept. 25, 1921, p. 4.

  41. “Girl Tells Full Story of Death Party,” CHE, Sept. 15, 1921, p. 3; “Arbuckle Indicted for Manslaughter” “Dying Girl Hid Secret” Prevost, Court Transcript, 310.

  42. “Tragedy Marked Virginia Here” “Life of Virginia Rappe One of Work and Hardship,” CHE, Sept. 19, 1921, p. 3. The latter article was the first installment in an eight-chapter story of Rappe's life run in CHE. Other Hearst papers excerpted passages from these articles.

  43. “Origins of Miss Rappe: Said to Have Been Daughter of British Nobleman in Chicago Romance,” LAT, Sept. 20, 1921, p. 1; “New Chapter Shows Heritage of Beauty and Love for Frolics,” CHE, Sept. 20, 1921, p. 3.

  44. “Virginia's ‘Nightie Tango’ on Liner Startles Passengers,” CHE, Sept. 23, 1921, p 2. The two women reportedly wore nightgowns over evening gowns for their performance. See also “Miss Rappe Was Designer, Film Actress,” SFX, Sept. 11, 1921, p. 3; “Dead Actress Rich and Noted for Her Gowns,” NYA, Sept. 12, 1921, p. 3; “Broken Love Affair Leads Virginia into Movie Career,” CHE, Sept. 24, 1921, p. 3.

  45. Annie Laurie, “What's Gone Wrong with World Today? Old Ideals for Women Is on Way Out,” SFX, Sept. 13, 1921, p. 3. “Annie Laurie” was a pseudonym for Winifred Black, notorious for her stunt journalism and emotional style. See Nasaw, The Chief, 73, 99–100.

  46. Annie Laurie, “Old Rules for Girls Supplanted by New Now: What's a Little Pitch among Friends?” SFX, Sept. 14, 1921, p. 2. See also Winifred Black, “Orgy Menace Is Grave, Says Winifred Black,” NYA, Sept. 15, 1921, p. 2; “Rappe Death Held as Warning to Girls: God Is Speaking through Lips of the Dead Actress, Says Dr. L. Gordon,” SFX, Sept. 19, 1921, p. 3.

  47. “Orgies in City Ready to Stage New Tragedy,” NYA, Sept. 13, 1921, p. 1. “History of the Case,” Death Report, reported on in “Rid San Francisco of Debauchees, Says Coroner's Verdict,” SFX, Sept. 15, 1921, p. 2. “Girl Tells Full Story of Death Party” “Class Arbuckle with Debauchee, Gangster, in Coroner's Jury Verdict,” LAT, Sept. 15, 1921, p. 1.

  48. The Police Court trial would not
begin until Sept. 22. “Not guilty” was not included among “Four Possible Verdicts in Trial of Film Actor,” NYA, Sept. 19, 1921, p. 3.

  49. Jack Arnold, “Good Will Win,” letter to LAT, Sept. 27, pt. 2, p. 4. See also “Will Arbuckle's Plight Clear Moral Atmosphere? Asks Cleric,” SFX, Sept. 23, 1921, p. 1.

  50. “League Hears Discussion of Arbuckle Case,” NYA, Sept. 20, 1921, p. 1. Arbuckle's films were banned in England; see “English Crusade Starting on Sex and Doubtful Film,” Variety, Oct. 21, 1921, p. 38.

  51. “The Arbuckle Incident,” LAT, Sept. 13, 1921, pt. 2, p. 4; Madam Q., “These Beauties Reap Same Harvest: ‘Wine, Women and Song Killed Virginia,’” CHE, Sept. 18, 1921, p. 3; “Education of Girls Needed, Says Doctor, NYA, Sept. 14, 1921, p. 3.

  52. “Banning the Arbuckle Films,” editorial, BDE, Sept. 13, 1921, p. 5. Censors could not pull Arbuckle's and Rappe's films out of theaters through “any legal method” see “Some Officials Issue Orders against Films,” NYA, Sept. 13, 1921, p. 2; “Laughter Greets Arbuckle Films in One Theater Here: No Action by the State Board,” BDE, Sept. 13, 1921, p. 1.

  53. Motion Picture World (Sept. 24, 1921): 324; NYT, Sept. 14, 1921, 3; “Society Leaders’ Millions to Back Better Pictures: Arbuckle Scandal's Effect,” Variety, Sept. 16, 1921, p. 1. It would be impossible to list all the stories of outrage. On the same day that Variety made this report, the NYT ran two with a similar tone; see “Says Films Poison Youth,” and “Would Close All Movies,” NYT, Sept. 14, 1921, p. 2.

  54. Louis Mayer to King Vidor, quoted in Berg, Goldwyn, 106.

  55. “Evil Influence of Bad Motion Picture Resorts,” Proximo Club to City Council, n.d., file 2524, “Motion Picture File to be known as 2723,” Los Angeles City Archive.

  56. “Democracy”: Henry Weeks to LAT, Sept. 20, 1921, pt. 2, p. 2; “liberty”: L.J. Bergere to LAT, Oct. 29, 1921, pt. 2, p. 10. A representative sample of anti-industry letters to LAT includes Evelyn Frances, “The Arbuckle Case,” and H.W. Coffin, “Intolerable,” Sept. 16, 1921, pt. 2, p. 11; Mary Andrews, “The Industry,” Sept. 18, 1921, pt. 3, p. 38; Mrs. William Francis, “Says They're Bad” Alice Scudder, “Favors Censor,” Oct. 16, 1921, pt. 2, p. 3.