Hollywood Mysteries #44 - Kay Francis, The Lost Beauty
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- Kay Francis was one of the most glamorous figures of the 1930s. But by the end of her days, things had taken a dramatic turn for the worse. We're bringing you her full story in this week's video.
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Do you have a favorite Kay Francis movie? What about her most iconic outfit? Reply to this comment and let us know!
I think I've seen all her films, and it's hard to pick a favorite. I love them all. 🌹
Everything she wears in Trouble in Paradise, but especially that black bugle bead gown! Chef's kiss!
@@etherealtb6021 Yes, all her clothes...she wore some amazing dresses and gowns. Her taste was impeccable. Absolutely flawless. I hate the way women dress today. I see women in the grocery store in their pajamas, in the daytime. Like they just didn't dress at all, got out of bed and put on some shoes...😞
@@miapdx503 I don't mind comfy dress, but ACTUAL pajamas are a bit much. Lol.
I had never heard of her before this video popping up. I was pleasantly surprised to hear she had an enormous estate when she died. Most actresses who lived as she did died broke.
Good on her!
Wow I had no idea she died so young and in the way she did. She was such a beautiful woman and I knew she was a party girl but I guess I wanted a better out come for her. I am such a fan of this channel, you tell their stories so honestly but with compassion. Thank you for that. You remind us that although they are long gone and lived in a time we my not understand you humanize them for us.
63 years-old isn't exactly 'young'......especially in those days)
I just love this womans voice, it keeps me very interested in the story. I'm looking for your Robert Young & William Powell stories. Excellent work young lady. God bless you in every way! THANK YOU!
Thank you - and William Powell is our episode 8 if you want to take a listen!
@@HollywoodMysteries thank you. I'll do that.
@@starbubbli Yes I thought the same , great voice.
Yes I thought the same great voice.@@HollywoodMysteries
I adore her! Love her even more leaving her fortune to train seeing eye dogs!
OMG finally someone (you, the best) covering her. Always one of my favorite actors and I know nothing about her. Thank you ❤❤❤❤❤
She was an Actress. A woman. An actress.
She wrote a great autobiography, "I Can't Wait to be Forgotten." Hard to find, tho.
I had no idea she was such a big star and I love old movies. I didn’t even know how she looked. Thanks for posting
@@lizh6578 Kay Francis is one of my favorite actors too.
I've been a fan of Kay's for years. With her unique figure, she could wear the most amazing costumes. I always enjoy the way she brought her characters to the screen.
Such a beautiful star. Thank you for covering her life. I always love learning more about these stars of the silver screen!
More to come!
Great choice. It's a shame she has disappeared thru the mists of time. But men and alcohol. That'll do it every time
Yes indeed
Absolutely agree.
The boudoir shot with William Powell in One Way Passage is just swoon worthy. What a lovely chemistry they had. Both passionate and tender. Something that’s been missing from movies for ages. True romance.
She is so beautiful! Stunningly so. Her beauty is timeless and some of these photos could have been taken today, such as the one at the end of the video, with a martini in hand.😊
Absolutely!
One thing we can thank TCM for, is bringing back "lost" performers like Kay Francis and Norma Shearer
Yes that's true!
Fabulous looking girl, she had it all, didnt know much about her, Kay Francis. Intriguing these biographies.
Thanks for introducing me to lovely Kay Francis
You’re welcome!
Excellent! Kay Francis has always been a favorite of mine - I wish she had had a chance to have explored her comedic skills in many more films - say opposite Robert Montgomery or even Spencer Tracy - she did so well in those films with William Powell.
Love her movies and continue to enjoy them she was beautiful talented and a force and she chose to live her life however she wanted !
She was a fabulous clothes horse, and I just loved her. Her movie persona was charming. Her film with William Powell, Jewel Robbery was so much fun!
❗💥I ADORE her❗ Have watched every movie multiple times, classic. She could do any genre and beautifully., her death was a terrible loss.
I Love this Narrator’s voice. It’s familiar, yet perfect, intelligent and spot on. I could listen to her all day!
Always adored this actress. Thanks for the full story of her life.
That was really well done. I've seen a few of her films but she always seemed to be one of those obscure stars. She was number 1,2 or 3 box office during the 1930s for a long time. I was surprised that her career went on longer than I thought. Her diaries must be fun to read - rates up there with Mary Astor's lost diary.
One way passage. Her and William Powell were magic
Kay Francis lived her life the way she wanted to…pretty much like any man might feel free to do, then and now. Have we ever heard the word “promiscuous” used to describe a sexually free man? We have heard many, but not that one. She was beautiful and talented. The end of her life was sad, and she died too young; but both her sadness and her passing we caused by her greatest weakness, not men, but alcohol. This was an excellent presentation. Thank you.
Promiscuity a term used for men and women is not healthy for either. Women get jaded hard hurt and emotionally cold from going from man to man. They can also get fatal diseases and abortions. I know liberated women like think that is fun and empowering but it is not. Feminism hates women. Feminism is cancer.
The word promiscuous has frequently been used to describe gay men even when they're engaged in the same behavior as heterosexual men.
I always thought she was very interesting in movies and a perfect model for high fashion. It surprises me that she lived as long as she did with cigarettes and alcohol having such a hold on her, sadly. I lost my stepson to alcohol when he was only 52 and he didn’t smoke. He kept it well hidden and always seemed to be such a joyful person with a great sense of humor. 😢
I'm happy to see this as Kay Francis has become one of my favourite actresses. Sad how her life ended.
Kay Francis was a stunning looking lady and clearly lived life on her own terms. She dressed impeccably. Sad end to her life 💔❤️
One of the most stunning, and glamorous Hollywood Stars who ever lived. Tall, elegant in style and manner, she epitomized the fashion and lifestyle of Hollywood during the 1930's. On screen, Kay Francis was unforgettable with her black hair, green eyes, husky voice, and usually clothed in a long, backless, evening gown that fell to the floor. There has never been anyone, ever, quite like her on the silver screen.
I love watching her she was a great actress and she dressed wonderful
WoW...never knew any of this about Kay Francis (loved her in Jewel Robbery w/William Powell)....she lived a really wild life for that era. Also, seems she was destined for promiscuity, & Hollywood certainly fed her dark side. Presenter's voice is dark & sultry..perfect for this star's bio. Again, WOW!😵💫
My personal favorite is In Name Only
With Cary Grant. A gripping story well acted by all players. Francis is stunning and frightening.
She was truly wonderful, the camera loved her, an important part of the medium. I agree but every one I watch is a favorite at the moment. She and Rosalind Russell are captivating. Hepburn gets notice however she plays herself in everything. Camera loved her too. My best to another movie buff ! 🍃
Always in my heart is my favorite Kay Francis movie
.Next One Way Ticket.
Just gorgeous! One of my favorites of that era. Pure allure and glamour!
I have just subscribed after watching this. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed first off the narrator's voice is lovely and soothing, secondly the photos the many photos were magnificent to look at, and thirdly the information and facts of the star and her world and life were quite fascinating to listen to and engage in. Bravo!!! Bravo well done! I'm glad I found this channel.
Big fan of Kay. That face, those eyes, that glorious hair! And oh how she wore those clothes! I’m glad to know that, at least in her early days, she had some unapologetic, glamorous fun.
I thoroughly enjoyed this segment. I have seen her in movies, and TV. I didn't know about her life. Thank you!
You have the best voice and diction in the voiceover biz..hands down.
She was so evil in In Name Only. Wonderful presentation, by the way. She was a big star in her day. Then she disappeared. Strange too that TCM hasn’t run her films in years.
How sad. In the end, she got everything she wanted and yet ended up with nothing. Alcohol and unresolved issues with her father’s desertion ultimately impacted her more than she ever knew. She sounds as if she never expected any of her husbands or companions to stick around so she dumped them first. As an actress, I always felt she had a very special quality and never heard any evidence of any speech impediment. Physically, the way her face was put together I always suspected that she was part African American. Many of my distant cousins from New Orleans look like her. I’m probably wrong but..she was sooo charismatic on camera. RIP!
You are not wrong she definitely was mix
@@Mamahouse8 I thought so. Maybe that’s why she skipped motherhood. When you’re mixed like that, anything could pop up. The genes can reach w-a-y back.
Yes, lots of issues around her father/childhood and, at that time, very little help to resolve them. Alcohol helped her numb those issues...for a few hours.
A classic tragedy of the United States!
Thank you, well done & very informative. Certainly was ahead of her time doing her own thing.
Glad you enjoyed it!
GREAT VIDEO!!
She DEFINITELY had lived a wild life!! BUT I find it so strange she was burned by not only being "accidentally" leaned up against a heater but ALSO having hot coffee "accidentally" poured on her.....now I can see her having all those bruises as a possibility because when you are drunk / intoxicated you may trip/fall and bang into things.....BUT as for the burns.... I can see it possibly happening one time....maybe.....But 2x?...and occurring at two different times and by 2 different ways is DEFINITELY a bit SUSPICIOUS to me.....
Thank you so much. I have loved Kay Francis from the first time I saw her on film.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Beautifully done. Independent and Great lady. Always took care of her beauty. Bravo.....
Your introductory paragraph (s) were very well done. Kudos.
I remember one summer TCM devoted a whole day to Kay Frances movies. I recorded everyone of them. I loved them all...good and bad.
You have such a lovely speaking voice. I remember Kay Francis from one or two films. I always thought her lisp was charming.
Would love to hear, see stars like Vincent Price, Viviven Lee, Ann Sheridan and so on. But love this channel. Excited to see more
Stay tuned!
If it wasn't for the advent of TCM I would never have known of Kay Francis.........and eagerly enjoyed the movies they revealed to us of later generations.........even what some would consider pot boilers: considering for a period in the 1930s she was the highest paid actress in Hollywood (something you left out)...........memorable was Mandalay.....and her transformation into Spot White (what a punk rock name).....later work with Deana Durbin.....and Four Jills in a Jeep.........also recall a story stating she suffered from macular degeneration to her eyesight (hence leaving the bequest supporting seeing eye dogs) [though your report skipped that story] ....overall enjoyed your report (would love to read that diary; wink)
Very interesting, expose of Ms.Francis. She certainly had a life that she wanted,enjoyed.Sad that her life ended so tragically,being alone,no one close to her.Thank you,for sharing this with the public.
I've heard the name Kay Francis but never saw any of her movies. I'll have to check some of those out, especially those with William Powell, one of my favorite actors of that era. It's very sad that she never sought help for her substance abuse.
Thank you, very much appreciated. Cheers from Australia.
Sheesh, makes me very glad I stopped drinking a long time ago. Poor woman....
I was hoping you did an episode on Kay Francis
So excited for this!
I love Kay Francis. I watch all our movies on TCM.
What a beautiful video, thank you! Kay and Jean Arthur are my favourites. Mandalay (1934) is the one I love most ❤️
Stay tuned for Jean Arthur next year
YES! Thank you! Kay Francis' career needs a resurrection. Thank you for this video!
@@clintmesle7613 turner classic movies owns all her movies so you will need to pay to watch them
@@francesjohnson3045 Yep, I have TCM.
New subscriber here, fabulous channel ❤❤❤
Thanks for subbing!
At 24 she was already so used up….fast life. Good she had about 12-15 years of Hollywood film work. It’s the only thing that saved her.
Such grace and glamour
What a story!
I lost count of her many lovers. How she could maintain sanity within the studio system, promiscuity, abuse from smoking, alcohol, and partying is beyond me. She was an example of many actresses of that era, where having children often was “not glamorous”, or compatible with a career in Hollywood. What an empty life, after all was said and done. It’s a relief to have that era, considered the Golden period, behind us. Now the young are fans, whereas, most of the Western world was swept up in movies at that time.
Favorite film of hers - Trouble in Paradise. And the fabulous gowns by Travis Barton that she wore in that.
Ever since l saw Trouble in Paradise decades ago l have been a fan of Kay. Also, lt's a Date. I cant imagine the life of a movie star. Never aspired to fame, though l have been invited to climb many ladders. I'm a snob and prefer no strings of any kind. No regrets. Jean Harlow in the movie Bombshell exposed some of the downside. Great movie, Lee Tracy. Feel sad for Kay but grateful to have seen her star blaze across the screen. Thanks for the sensitivity. ♀️
Kay was a brilliant actress. Two of my favourite Kay Francis films are In Name Only and Dr Monica. Excellent stories and completely different characters played by her. Good and evil.
I loved her. Can’t wait to watch❤
Heartbreaking beauty. What a woman! Someone closer to our time who reminds you of KF is (was) the enchanting Elizabeth Pena.
Love her movies! Wondered why she dropped off instead of appeared in movies as an older artist.
Wonderful actress she wore her costume’s so beautifully
Didnt even know who she was until about 2011 or 2012,have lots of her movies,❤
Better late, then never.
I believe the young woman pictured with Hap Graham at 52:00 is actress Kathie Brown, who married Darren McGavin.
Thank you for pronouncing "chaise longue" correctly.
@@julietcunningham852 the correct spelling would also be nice ..
@@ClaudiaGale-wv9tz 😎😎😎
@@ClaudiaGale-wv9tz. 😄😄😄😄😄😄
Astonishing beauty.
What was doing?The documentary has a lovely and southern voice, unlike so many of them that are like gracious, I love your voice, whether it's real or unofficials
Well done. 🏆
I always loved her acting. Funny she came across as a very sensible person- I guess not with alcohol abuse etc.❗️ New sub here 😀
I was hoping you would do Kay Francis she was so beautiful and underrated and unique sexiness about her
I'm so glad she left any money she had left t9 animals. she deserved more feom family and friend. Been there and done that! So I know feom experience!
Great episode!!!
i really, really enjoyed this. i liked your narration. for the first time I'm thinking about joining patreon.
We’d be delighted if you did but there’s certainly no obligation. Happy that you enjoyed it!
One of the great women Actresses from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Who could ever forget Kay Francis, Miriam Hopkins (also one of Kay's best friends) and Herbert Marshall in "Trouble In Paradise" directed by the great Ernst Lubitsch?
If true it is very sad Kay was quoted as saying "I can't wait to be forgotten"?
I adore _Trouble in Paradise_ . It has so much fun with all the characters.
@@fabrisseterbrugghe8567 A great film sadly unknown to most people these days.
Movies and even great Movies are seemingly on the back burner with most people these days.
Sad commentary for a great art form.
Thats not true at all. Truly good films are still highly valued by many, many people. The old ones and the new ones still being made every year..
@@richardmcleod1930
One of my very favorite actresses who really looked like she should be wearing 1920s and 30s closed. I like the pictures in the magazines. Very many were in didn't look like that. She was a beautiful, beautiful woman.My favorite movie of hers is mandelay
And I really thought Clark Gable was going to be one of her many many lovers. They share similar facial features and we're both quite tall and I don't know if you know this but people are attracted, physically to others that look like them.
OFF THE CHAIN!!!!!!! THANKS 200MILL UPLOADER
With all the glam...and success..it makes you wonder why she drank so much.
@marilynbrown5274,it starts out being fun, becomes a habit &, then a necessity. Successful people ruin themselves just like everyone else, it's brain chemistry &, genetics. It has nothing to do with happiness or morality.
Seems as if she never found true love-- it was illusive or maybe she didn't want it.
@@diannakoish5110 your insight is right
Because of her background.
@@SherryHill-k5yI.think kay.didnt have any love for herself.her father leaving left her feeling unworthy of love.
The actress with Hap Graham is Kathie Browne, future intergalactic girlfriend of William Shatner's Captain James T. Kirk of Star Trek.
And future wife of actor Darren McGavin.
Ah, thank you - we tried to figure that out but couldn't get a definitive answer!
I knew she looked familiar. Thanks!
Loved her class and her little speech impediment was so cute! I thought she was European!
"...his interest in poisonous gases" WHAT?!!!!
If he really was a spy, that hobby definitely wasn't the smartest way to avoid attracting the authorities!
No mention of her role in Charlie's Aunt with Jack Benny. It may not have done much for her career, but it was the best version of that warhorse farce.
I sure would like to read that diary! Bet it's better than Mary Astor's!!
She had a world wind life.
My grandmothers favorite actress
Your voice is so lovely
I enjoyed this
Great friends Dhe didn’t have 😞 sad
Just wanted to mention that, in the 40’s, she starred again with Walter Huston in a rather corny movie with Deanna (sp?) Durbin.
My sisters middle name was Kay. For her
She wasn't my favorite actress, but so ma y actresses from way back then come across a little wooden on film. Mary Astor also. I had no idea about her life, though, thank you for this!
Now i know why james Cromwell is a lunatic
I love her❤😊🌹
Oh the voice.