Fatty Arbuckle -- The Man Who Made Millions Happy -- June 24, 2023

Motion Picture News, 30-June-1923

Roscoe Arbuckle was blacklisted by the film industry even though he was acquitted of a charge of manslaughter. 100 years ago this month, he appeared on stage in Chicago and was well-received. Minta Durfee was the wife who stood by Roscoe during his trials. The House of David was a religious commune that became famous for its amusement park and travelling baseball teams. The men were required to wear beards. 

Indianapolis Times, 05-June-1923

Arbuckle ‘Does His Stuff’.

After 12-Minute Ovation

Fat Comedian 'Comes Back’ Amid Cheers at Chicago

Cabaret -- Revives Slap-Stick Comedy.

By United Press
CHICAGO, June 5. -- Roscoe (Fatty) Arbuckle came back today.

A crowd of 2,000 from Chicago's fashionable "Gold Coast" crowded the Marigold Gardens, a North Shore cabaret last night and cheered as he did his old-time stuff.

"Fatty" appeared in his first real "test" for a return to public favor since the 1921 Labor day tragedy in San Francisco. The amusement resort habitues of Virginia Rappe’s home town declared in a twelve minute ovation of cheers and applause they are ready to forget the affair.

"That’s the first real smile I’ve had for a long time," said "Fatty" today.

Typical Cabaret Show

Arbuckle staged his "come back" with a typical cabaret show, mixed with slap-stick movie comedy. Preceded by a bevy of pretty girls in costumes pre-reminiscent of Cleopatra and another group that wore clothes startling like those made famous by Isadora Duncan, he brought his first laugh with a freak gymnastic act. Then in pink whiskers and a "wig," he imitated "King" Benjamin of the House of David, leading a rollicking chorus about the Benton Harbor cult to the tune of "London Bridge is Falling Down."

"Fatty" wound up the evening with reviving a use for custard pies. He took one in the face without blinking an eyelash. After he did that everybody near the stage. Including Raymond Hitchcock, the "aristocrat of comedy," climbed up and shook his hand.

The big comedian apologized for being nervous.

Woman Uses Cheers

"If you'll overlook that. I’ll be all right in a day or two." he told his audience. A young woman in evening gown climbed on a table, waved her hat around her head and led three cheers.

Scores of congratulatory telegrams were received by Arbuckle today. There was also a long one from the wife who "stood by" him at the San Francisco trials.

Buster Keaton wired:
"Fatty, let your conscience be your guide."

Chicago Tribune, 01-June-1923

"'Fatty' Arbuckle No Longer Star of Famous Players Organization" -- October 5, 2021

Moving Picture World, 01-October-1921

"Enclosed in the Following Space Is Our Idea What Should Be Said by Everybody in the Moving Picture Business About the Arbuckle Case from Now Forth Until the Entire Matter is Settled." 

100 years ago last month, on 05-September-1921, actor Roscoe Arbuckle and some of his friends had a Labor Day party at San Francisco's Saint Francis Hotel. Guest Virginia Rappe, an actress, became sick and had to be hospitalized. On 09-September-1921, she died because of a ruptured bladder which became infected. Stories began to circulate that Arbuckle had assaulted Rappe. Tried for manslaughter three times, he was acquitted. Virginia Rappe was 26 when she died. Arbuckle's career was ruined. The newspapers sold a lot of copies. Many people who tried to defend Arbuckle said some nasty and unfounded things about Virginia Rappe.

Exhibitors Herald, 08-October-1921

A group of cowboys in Thermopolis, TX showed their disapproval of Roscoe by shooting up the local theater and setting the film on fire out in the street.

Exhibitors Herald, 01-October-1921

Exhibitors were opposed to showing films with Roscoe Arbuckle of Virginia Rappe. 

Exhibitors Herald, 08-October-1921

Exhibitors were urged to book other Famous Players-Lasky (Paramount) films to replace the cancelled Arbuckle films. 

Exhibitors Herald, 22-October-1921

Famous Players proclaimed that Roscoe was no longer one of their stars. He was not contracted to Paramount, but worked under a personal contract with Joe Schenk. "The public out here has about absolved him from anything but being the intended 'fall guy' for a 'shake down.'" No one told the cowboys. 

Albuquerque Morning Journal, 02-October-1921

Roscoe's estranged wife, Minta Durfee, came from New York to show her support. She brought along her mother. 

Fatty Arbuckle Has Written a Song -- August 27, 2019

Moving Picture World, 30-August-1919

Buster Keaton's first movie after his return from military service was "Back Stage," one of the funniest Comique productions.

Moving Picture World, 09-August-1919

Two stories that we saw last month insisted that Roscoe was not a partner with Pathé Lehrman, but a tenant in his new studio.

Moving Picture World, 23-August-1919

Roscoe moved his productions from Glendale to Culver City.

Moving Picture World, 09-August-1919

This item reminds us that Roscoe was the "manager, owner and general factotum" of the Vernon baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, and that Molly Malone was the team's mascot.

Moving Picture World, 02-August-1919

Moving Picture World, 09-August-1919

Roscoe's wife, Minta Durfee, signed to appear in a series of comedies for Truart Pictures.

Moving Picture World, 02-August-1919

Roscoe's nephew, Al St John, signed a contract to appear in a series of sort comedies produced by the Warner Brothers.

Moving Picture World, 09-August-1919

Clear to the Roof -- May 25, 1919

Moving Picture World, 10-May-1919

100 years ago this month, in May, 1919, Buster Keaton was awaiting his discharge from the Army. Roscoe Arbuckle and Al St John continued to produce comedies for Comique in California.

Moving Picture World, 10-May-1919

Roscoe's wife, Minta Durfee, who had appeared in many Keystone comedies, considered returning to the screen.

Moving Picture World, 10-May-1919

"...she is wading through scenarios and books that contain the material in which she is most interested."

Moving Picture World, 17-May-1919

"...one of the few leading women who is going to return to the screen, after a two years' absence."  She did not return to movies at this time, but did appear in uncredited parts in many talkies.

Maui News, 30-May-1919

If you were in Maui, Territory of Hawaii, you could see Roscoe in "The Pullman Porter" at the Wailuku Orpheum.

Moving Picture World, 03-May-1919

Tower Film Corporation was rereleasing old movies, including a set of twelve Keystones with Roscoe.

Moving Picture World, 10-May-1919

"Custer's Last Fight" was a 1912 film produced by Thomas Ince. Francis Ford played Custer and directed.  The William S Hart films were two-reelers produced by Ince in 1914.

Moving Picture World, 24-May-1919

Buster returned from doing his duty.

Moving Picture World, 31-May-1919

Roscoe purchased the Vernon franchise of the Pacific Coast League.  Roscoe and Buster were great baseball fans.

A scorebook graced with a photo of Roscoe.

Moving Picture World, 31-May-1919

Roscoe, Buster, Al St John and leading lady Molly Malone put on a comedy exhibition before a double header against the San Francisco Seals. The Vernon Tigers and the Seals split the double header.

Moving Picture World, 09-August-1919