In 19, at the age of 26, arbuckle hit the big time when he signed with mack sennetts keystone film company and became one of the keystone kops. Oct 08, 20 the death of virginia rappe and the trials against fatty arbuckle that followed was a series of events that forever changed film history. The life of fatty arbuckle, the mysterious death of virginia rappe, and the scandal that changed hollywood greg merritt. The cook is a 1918 american tworeel silent comedy film written by, directed by, and starring roscoe fatty arbuckle and featuring buster keaton and al st. Roscoe arbuckle was, by all accounts, larger than life. I had heard about the case in reading hollywood babylon and karina longworths podcast you must remember this. An excellent breakdown of the rapemurder scandal is frameup the untold story of roscoe fatty arbuckle, by andy edmonds. Mar 20, 2020 roscoe arbuckle, rotund american comedian and film director whose successful career was halted by the first of the major hollywood scandals. Rappe worked mostly in small bit parts and is best known for her death after attending a party with actor roscoe fatty arbuckle, who was accused of complicity in her death, though ultimately exonerated. Arbuckle, and the brother of roscoe fatty arbuckle, a silent film star. Steve massas book on the films of roscoe fatty arbuckle, from bear manor, is an enormously thorough look at one of the true icons of silent cinema. The films of roscoe fatty arbuckle by steve massa hits the trifecta in addition to being an. Writer jerry stahls book, i, fatty tells the story of vaudeville and early film actor fatty arbuckle. We are also planning a hollywood exhibit of rare arbuckle memorabilia to coincide with the launch.
But, this tunneling into the subject stops, and a lighter, breezier exploration begins. Jun 25, 2018 in 1921, roscoe fatty arbuckle was the highestpaid actor in the world. Courtesy everett collection the media had a field day with the story, condemning arbuckle for his hedonistic lifestyle which marked a departure in the coverage of silverscreen royalty. My biggest issue with the book was that it tended to. Room 1219 author greg merritt discusses what really happened in. Frameup the untold story of roscoe fatty arbuckle by andy. There have been many many books and articles written about this scandal and, on the whole, theyre entertaining. Starting at the selig polyscope company he eventually moved to keystone studios where he worked with mabel normand and harold lloyd.
Biopic treatment tv movie about pioneering silent film comedian roscoe fatty arbuckle, based on the 1976 book above. In this highly acclaimed novel, the author of permanent midnight channels fallen earlyhollywood star roscoe fatty arbuckle. Roscoe arbuckle american actor and director britannica. The book is a short one, and despite the authors access to many people who knew arbuckle, the treatment is light. He started at the selig polyscope company and eventually moved to keystone studios, where he worked with mabel normand and harold lloyd, as well as with his nephew al st. And like an investigator on one of tvs acronymic crime shows, merritt meticulously examines silentfilm legend roscoe fatty arbuckles role in. Dispelling the salacious myths and lurid legends that have accumulated around fatty arbuckles notorious wild party, merritts book will surely stand as the definitive work on a case that has fascinated and titillated for nearly a century. His first part was with the websterbrown stock company. Much of the material in the book comes from exclusive sources, such as the taperecorded memoirs of arbuckles first wife and the authors recent, lengthy correspondence with the comedians third wife and widow. I, fatty is a novel by american writer jerry stahl published in 2004. He was the very first actor to be paid a million dollars a year. Featuring charlie chaplin, buster keaton, harry langdon, laurel and hardy, harold lloyd, mabel normand, roscoe fatty arbuckle and charley chase. Mar 09, 2015 however, hollywood was far less forgiving as fatty turned to alcohol for comfort.
Much of the information comes from interviews with minta durfee arbuckle roscoes first wife. L i n k s roscoe fatty arbuckle credits 190933 at internet movie database. He speculates on arbuckle s impotence, and the rage that comes out when he drinks because of it. Arbuckle was also a road bicycle racer with the garden city wheelmen, san jose residents have named a public school in his memory, and a referee at the burbank velodrome. Nov 08, 2011 in the summer of 1921, roscoe fatty arbuckle was on top of the world. Not only does it include information about arbuckle s life before and after the trial, but it includes details provided from those who knew him best including his wives and the wife of buster keaton. Film researcher joan myers has been working on a book project that will present the roscoe fatty arbuckle manslaughter trial in a different light. In the summer of 1921, roscoe fatty arbuckle was on top of the world. The author looks deeply into his life and the death of virginia rappe.
Arbuckle is the subject of a 2004 novel titled i, fatty by author jerry stahl. The 1963 novel, scandal in eden by garet rogers, is a fictionalized version of the arbuckle scandal. On september 5, 1921, roscoe conkling arbuckle, known as fatty, a known comedian, actor, director and screen writer, and two others rented three rooms in the st. March 24, 1887 june 29, 1933 was an american silent film actor, comedian, director, and screenwriter. A scandal and amoral plagued industry masquerading as an entertainment center. Specializing in excellent craft cocktails with over 200 different whiskeys and a large selection of other spirits. Not only does it include information about arbuckles life before and after the trial, but it includes details provided from those who knew him best including his wives and the wife of buster keaton. The whole book is a delightful series of discoveries.
Of the books ive read, it seems to be the most critical of arbuckle, without assigning him criminal culpability. Skully after being charged with the murder of virginia rappe, san francisco, 1921. A hollywood party ended the career of comic fatty arbuckle. Part biography, part truecrime narrative, this painstakingly researched book chronicles the improbable rise and stunning fall of roscoe fatty arbuckle from his early big screen success to his involvement in actress virginia rappes death, and the resulting irreparable damage to. When he was a teenager, arbuckle traveled the west coast on the vaudeville circuit. Arbuckle began entering fivedollar amateur shows in his preteen years, and by the time he was 20 he was a veteran of carnivals, vaudeville, and traveling.
Merritts book is a biography of roscoe arbuckle he put up with the nickname fatty for his career, but no one who knew him called him that, and of virginia. Part biography, part truecrime narrative, this painstakingly researched book chronicles the improbable rise and stunning fall of roscoe fatty arbuckle from his. Much of the material in the book comes from exclusive sources, such as the taperecorded memoirs of arbuckle s first wife and the authors recent, lengthy correspondence with the comedians third wife and widow. Arbuckle was arrested for firstdegree murder, which according to california laws at the time, included the charge of rape. The other begins a very candid assessment of the subject. A screenplay about his life floated around hollywood for years but never got sold. Did fatty arbuckle really rape virginia rappe with a coke. Fatty arbuckles career came to a sudden halt amidst allegations that he raped and caused the death of a young starlet named virginia rappe.
Theres a world of new ideas in every books newsletter. Jul 22, 2019 roscoe fatty arbuckle had long been a performer. Oct 22, 2012 roscoe fatty arbucklefattys plucky pup1915 keystone filmfotoplayer soundtrack duration. Posters for his movies billed the 266pound comedian as worth his weight in laughs. Roscoe arbuckle, one of nine children, was the baby of the family who weighed a reported 16 pounds at birth. His popularity soared before chaplin or keaton had really made it on their own. The life of fatty arbuckle, the mysterious death of virginia rappe, and the scandal that changed hollywood by greg merritt a godawful title by the way does something that no other book on roscoe arbuckle has done before, it presents its subjects, both roscoe and virginia, as actual human beings. Featuring charlie chaplin, buster keaton, harry langdon, laurel and hardy, harold lloyd, mabel normand, roscoe fatty arbuckle and charley chase by jake lenburg. The untold story of roscoe fatty arbuckle hardcover january 1, 1991 by andy edmonds author. Roscoe fatty arbuckle contributor names bain news service, publisher created published between ca. Room 1219 author greg merritt discusses what really. This is probably the best book of the 3, but unfortunately still lacking as it presents a slanted perspective. I, fatty by jerry stahl meet your next favorite book.
The day the laughter stopped by david yallop and frameup. Harold schechter, author of the serial killer files and the devils gentleman. But if youre looking to get past the shock factor of the tale and beyond the confidential, hollywood babylon style expose, then room 1219. This interview was originally broadcast on july 21, 2004. Also included are two interviews with arbuckle from 1916 and 1931, and a 1931 article about the path of his career after his scandal. The untold story of roscoe fatty arbuckle by andy edmonds are other books on arbuckle s life. Merritts book is a biography of roscoe arbuckle he put up with the nickname fatty for his career, but no one who knew him called him that, and of virginia rappe pronounced rappay, insofar as merritt was able to unearth information about her. The films of roscoe fatty arbuckle by steve massa hits the trifecta. The pictorial sketch book of pennsylvania, or, its scenery, internal improvements, resources, and agriculture, populary described. The life of fatty arbuckle, the mysterious death of virginia rappe, and the scandal that changed hollywood is the book you want to read. The films of fatty arbuckle is an amazing piece of research, bordering on encyclopedic. July 7, 1895 september 9, 1921 was an american model and silent film actress.
I just finished reading a fabulous book about one of hollywoods first and biggest controversies titled room 1219. Prior to reading the tome, i knew little about actorcomedian roscoe fatty arbuckle, but had always. Prior to reading the tome, i knew little about actorcomedian roscoe fatty arbuckle, but had always been fascinated by his rape and. Andy edmonds book about roscoe arbuckles murder trial during the 1920s is.
Interviews with many of arbuckles contemporaries including minta durfee, his first wife and extensive research. Dispelling the salacious myths and lurid legends that have accumulated around fatty arbuckles notorious wild party, merritts book will surely. Mar 09, 2018 a hollywood party ended the career of comic fatty arbuckle with a scandal that kept growing mar 9, 2018 magda origjanska on april 12, 1922, a press mob eagerly waited in front of a san francisco courtroom, expecting roscoe conklin arbuckle, widely known as fatty arbuckle, to emerge and give his official statement. Fatty arbuckle s career came to a sudden halt amidst allegations that he raped and caused the death of a young starlet named virginia rappe. He speculates on arbuckles impotence, and the rage that comes out when he drinks because of it. At a hefty 688 pages just imagine the time it took to put together. Four days later rappe died due to a ruptured bladder, which arbuckle allegedly crushed while he was on top of her.
A movie star acting badly was one thing but being linked to someones death was a whole other story. More, this documentary, my book, and the new arbuckle anthology set which has officially been expanded to fifty 50 titles shall all be released at the same time. The films of fatty arbuckle, written by steve massa and published by bearmanor media in december 2019, is the exhaustively researched and lovingly detailed reference volume for arbuckle weve needed to complete a royal flush of silent comedians. Rooms 1219 and 1221 were for them, and room 1220 was to be used for a party room. The pictorial sketch book of pennsylvania, or, its scenery, internal improvements, resources, and agriculture, populary. Apr 01, 2016 i thought this book did an excellent job of telling readers the story of the life and trials of roscoe fatty arbuckle.
Roscoe fatty arbuckle was one of the most beloved silent movie comedians of his time. Though he was acquitted, the comedian, who was at one time second in popularity only to charlie chaplin, was ruined. Roscoe fatty arbuckle 18871933 page at magic lantern. Fatty arbuckle could range from broad slapstick to a surprising tenderness. Frameup the untold story of roscoe fatty arbuckle by. The book is a fictionalized autobiography of roscoe fatty arbuckle, the famous silent film comedian, and probes his early life in vaudeville, his rise to fame in the movies, and his crash into infamy following a false murder accusation and three trials and eventual acquittal. Fatty arbuckle was disgraced by allegations of manslaughter and rape, but what. Modern family actor eric stonestreet stars latest info at imdb. Maybe youre unfamiliar with arbuckle s films and his place in the. About the book fatty arbuckles career came to a sudden halt amidst allegations that he raped and caused the death of a young starlet named virginia rappe. I generally plug my own books during the holiday season, but occasionally theres a new one out thats so important or so interesting or by an author who matters to me such that i have to tell everybody.
One of the early silent era most popular comedians. Roscoe only seemed to find solace and comfort in a bottle. Born in smith center, kansas, on march 24, 1887, his family moved to california when he was a year old. Merritt takes a fresh look at the case that rocked hollywood. Roscoe conkling fatty arbuckle march 24, 1887 june 29, 1933 was an american silent film actor, comedian, director, and screenwriter. Dispelling the salacious myths and lurid legends that have accumulated around fatty arbuckle s notorious wild party, merritts book will surely stand as the definitive work on a case that has fascinated and titillated for nearly a century. Fatty arbuckle came to symbolize much that was suspected about hollywood. Fatty arbuckle was disgraced by allegations of manslaughter and rape, but what actually happened on sept. Andy edmonds book about roscoe arbuckles murder trial during the 1920s is an exceptional read for fans of the silent movie era. Room 1219the life of fatty arbuckle, the mysterious death of virginia rappe, and the scandal that changed hollywoodby greg merrittchicago. Then on june 28, 1933, arbuckle finally signed a new film contract with warner brothers.
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