He always wished that I would get an Oscar. Oh, very much! The life of Barbara Stanwyck has fascinated film lovers for decades. Stanwyck's retirement years were active, with charity work outside the limelight. A woman whom I consider to be one of the most beautiful to ever grace the screen, the magnificent Gene Tierney. He and Stanwyck wed on August 26, 1928. *Uncle Buck was the boyfriend of Stanwyck’s sister Millie, who was one of Stanwyck’s closest friends and biggest supporters. "That Old Feelin': Ruby in the Rough. Enjoy the site, and thanks for reading! Like so many other star bios it relied on what was published in the fan magazines of the day, and published interviews. He was an actor, known for Nothing Sacred (1937), God's Gift to Women (1931) and The Matrimonial Bed (1930). "I just wanted to survive and eat and have a nice coat", Stanwyck said. Not sure when it will be out, but I will follow up with her for another interview when the second volume comes out! [96], Stanwyck died on January 20, 1990, aged 82, of congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California. I had great plans for her, but the Hollywood offers kept coming. In 1929, she began acting in talking pictures, receiving her major break when Frank Capra chose her for his romantic drama Ladies of Leisure (1930), which led to additional leading roles. ", Kathleen Howard of Stanwyck's character in, Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Series. [45] Her performance as the insolent, self-possessed wife is one of the screen's "definitive studies of villainy - and should (it is widely thought) have won the Oscar for Best Actress", not just been nominated. “She was lucky to be alive,” writes Wilson. More information... People also love these ideas Pinterest. A: From what I can find, the acclaimed actress Stanwyck had only an adopted son, Dion Anthony Fay, from her marriage to actor Frank Fay. Just finished reading B S Steel-True! I was disappointed to see a photo of Jean Harlow in 1938, when many of us know, without looking it up, that she died in 1937. Carole Lombard's beautifully haunting Life magazine cover, that I am honored to have in my personal magazine collection. [97] In accordance with her wishes, her remains were cremated and the ashes scattered from a helicopter over Lone Pine, California, where she had made some of her western films.[98][99]. . I loved him very much, and I miss him. This was Stanwyck's first film appearance. According to her friend and Big Valley co-star Linda Evans, Stanwyck cited Taylor as the love of her life. "[52], Many of her roles involve strong characters, yet Stanwyck was known for her accessibility and kindness to the backstage crew on any film set. [48] A consummate professional, when aged 50, she performed a stunt in Forty Guns. If you would like to contact the author, please send an email to. Unable to have children, the couple adopted a son, Anthony Dion Fay, in 1932. 15 years in the making and running a whopping 1,056 pages in length, author Victoria Wilson has created a colossal piece of literature covering the first 33 years of Barbara Stanwyck’s life. Next, she played Molly Monahan in Union Pacific (1939) with Joel McCrea. Fay's sophisticated irony and relaxed, conversational style influenced a … [18] A few months later, she obtained a job as a dancer in the 1922 and 1923 seasons of the Ziegfeld Follies, dancing at the New Amsterdam Theater. He was well liked by all. I could go on and write a book about the research for the book; of the stories of finding people; of being lead to others, of leads that appeared one day and didn’t make sense or were answered until months or years later . While still at sea, he died of septic poisoning at the age of 31. "1000 Movies You Must See Before You Die", Quintessence Editions Limited, pg. However, she was estranged from him for decades. I have read Miss Stanwyck was a very private person. [31] Stanwyck and Fay were married on August 26, 1928, and soon moved to Hollywood. ( Log Out /  On December 5, 1932 they adopted a son, Dion, who was one month old, from whom Stanwyck was later estranged. 15 years in the making and running a whopping 1,056 pages in length, author Victoria Wilson has created a colossal piece of literature covering the first 33 years of Barbara Stanwyck’s life. There was the process of interviewing people, once, twice, three times, sometimes over months, sometimes over years (as with Barbara’s friends, family, her son, etc). The couple adopted a son, Dion Anthony Fay, in 1932. A great book, exhaustively researched. By luck, this boy turned out to be a fine person, but it could have been very different for him. Sorry, but its very hard to admire someone who treats their child so poorly. “She remains an inspiration.”But life for Stanwyck wasn’t all glitz and glam. [16] She disliked the job; her real goal was to enter show business, even as her sister Mildred discouraged the idea. I was extremely fond of Tony. Tumblr is a place to express yourself, discover yourself, and bond over the stuff you love. She and Fay later claimed they disliked each other at first, but became close after Cherryman's death. I think it’s kind of silly. He was my golfing partner, drinking buddy, and next door neighbor when you interviewed him in Sherman Oaks. It gave her the sense of belonging which is what work did for her and did for her throughout her life. "[15], Soon afterward, she took a filing job at the Brooklyn telephone office for $14 a week, which allowed her to become financially independent. [20] Other prominent roles followed, among them as a nurse who saves two little girls from being gradually starved to death by Clark Gable's vicious character in Night Nurse (1931). When people read the book they will see in detail how Stanwyck and Taylor came together, and what it did for both people; how it helped both and changed both. There was the process of collecting materials – press books, articles, objects, photographs, letters, scrapbooks, reading them, taking the information I needed, thinking about it, having it lead me to other people, ideas, and so on. 1952) Children: 1. She was the fifth – and youngest – child of Catherine Ann (née McPhee) (1870–1911) and Byron E. Stevens (1872–1919), working-class parents. In 1929, they performed a dramatic sketch as "Fay and Stanwyck" at the Palace. When is Volume 2 coming out? Stanwyck became an early member of the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals (MPA) after its founding in 1944. [66] The couple divorced on December 30, 1935. In 1941 she starred in two successful screwball comedies: Ball of Fire with Gary Cooper, and The Lady Eve with Henry Fonda. There is very little of Barbara Stanwyck, and nothing new. You’d have to ask that of Stanwyck herself. [89][90], She was a fan of Objectivist author Ayn Rand, having persuaded Jack L. Warner at Warner Bros. to buy the rights to The Fountainhead before it was a best-seller, and writing to the author of her admiration of Atlas Shrugged. Her childhood was about taking care of herself and getting through and being on her own – and apart. [69], In 1936, while making the film His Brother's Wife (1936), Stanwyck became involved with her co-star, Robert Taylor. Barbara Stanwyck with her son Dion Anthony Fay (called “Tony”), whom she adopted with husband Frank Fay in 1932. Stanwyck was born Ruby Catherine Stevens in Brooklyn, and was orphaned at the age of 4 when her mother was killed and her father abandoned the family. Documentary music films about the careers of singer-songwriter Charli XCX and late rock legend Tom Petty will headline this year’s South by Southwest … .I went to Lanesville, Mass where her family came from and figured out just how – and why – her father became a mason . . "[53] While working on 1954s Cattle Queen of Montana on location in Glacier National Park, she did some of her own stunts, including a swim in the icy lake. [20] At the suggestion of David Belasco, Ruby changed her name to Barbara Stanwyck by combining the first name from the play Barbara Frietchie with the last name of the actress in the play, Jane Stanwyck; both were found on a 1906 theater program.[25][27]. [88] Stanwyck shared conservative Republican affiliation with such contemporaries as Mary Pickford, Walt Disney, Hedda Hopper, Randolph Scott, Robert Young, Ward Bond, William Holden, Ginger Rogers, Jimmy Stewart, George Murphy, Gary Cooper, Bing Crosby, John Wayne, Walter Brennan, Shirley Temple, Bob Hope, Adolphe Menjou, Helen Hayes, director Frank Capra, and her Double Indemnity co-star, Fred MacMurray. She is my favorite of the Classic Stars, nobody had her range or longetivity. Waiting on pins and needles for volume 2! 4. She also occasionally served as a dance instructor at a speakeasy for gays and lesbians owned by Guinan. [28] Film actor Pat O'Brien would later say on a 1960s talk show, "The greatest Broadway show I ever saw was a play in the 1920s called 'Burlesque'." Her particular combination of sex appeal, toughness, and grit makes for an intriguing character and was doubtless informed by a private life about which she was extremely reticent. I completely agree. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. I conducted an interview with Victoria Wilson a few weeks ago, and her answers appear here.Thank you to Vicky Wilson for this interview, and please be sure to pre-order your copy of the book by clicking here. In the latter film's soundtrack, the piano music is actually being performed by Ania Dorfmann, who drilled Stanwyck for three hours a day until the actress was able to synchronize the motion of her arms and hands to match the music's tempo, giving a convincing impression that it is Stanwyck playing the piano. If anything, she played up what was difficult about it and glossed over what was normal about it. BarbaraStanwyck’s second marriage was to Robert Taylor in 1939. [54] Her professionalism on film sets led her to be named an Honorary Member of the Hollywood Stuntmen's Hall of Fame. She gave him loyalty, devotion and her money to invest. Deep intelligence; a dark childhood; iron determination; will; large emotions – fear; anger; loss; a driving discipline; uncanny talent. Can’t wait for volume 2! Loved it & it is my all time favorite bio of a Hollywood star!! Barbara Stanwyck in “The Thorn Birds,” a TV miniseries she made in 1983 and which also won her the 1983 Emmy and Golden Globe. I was left hanging at the end of Volume 1. Comprised of tireless research and interviews with the star’s family, friends, and acquaintances, the work promises to become one of the most complete and enduring biographies ever written about a motion picture star. In a Hollywood popularity contest, she would win first prize, hands down. Looking forward to volume 2. My question would 400 pages? Kathleen Elzey. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. He was married to Barbara Stanwyck, Gladys Buchanan, Betty Kean and Frances White. Just like the rest of us. Backlots is devoted to honoring and celebrating all aspects of classic film and is written by Lara Gabrielle, a California-based classic film writer and historian. Stanwyck’s sister Mildred was a chorus girl, and she soon followed suit. Yes, she is hard at work on the second volume. She and her agent have promised to keep me in the loop, so I’ll keep you posted when I know anything! Stanwyck won custody of their son, whom she raised with a strict authoritarian hand and demanding expectations. [40], Next, she was the extremely successful, independent doctor Helen Hunt in You Belong to Me (1941), also with Fonda. Fay's successful career on Broadway did not translate to the big screen, whereas Stanwyck achieved Hollywood stardom. Husband/Boyfriend: Frank Fay (m. 1928; div. She doesn't make heavy weather of it."[33]. Her first husband was a vaudeville comedian named Frank Fay. When will the 2nd part be available? They decided in 1950 to divorce. Rather than a torrid romance, their relationship was more one of mentor and pupil. I’m trying to read this book. [79] Stanwyck ended the relationship[80] which is described in Wagner's memoir Pieces of My Heart (2008). Each marriage was complex and came about because of complex reasons – and stayed in tact because of equally complicated reasons; neither marriage came about because of homosexuality. Barbara Stanwyck with her son Dion Anthony Fay (called “Tony”), whom she adopted with husband Frank Fay in 1932. They named him Dion, later amending the name to Anthony Dion, nicknamed "Tony". Barbara Stanwyck with her son Dion Anthony Fay (called “Tony”), whom she adopted with husband Frank Fay in 1932. If yes, when might we expect the second volume of her wonderful biography of Barbara Stanwyck? Hardcore research, pulling together bits and pieces . It was a take it or leave it tiny bit of what she had. [95], The following year, in 1982, while filming The Thorn Birds, the inhalation of special-effects smoke on the set may have caused her to contract bronchitis, which was compounded by her cigarette habit; she was a smoker from the age of nine until four years before her death. This was an expensive book, and I expected a whole lot more. The western television series, The Big Valley, which was broadcast on ABC from 1965 to 1969, made her one of the most popular actresses on television, winning her another Emmy. On December 5, 1932, they adopted a son, Dion Antony “Tony” Fay. Francis was born on November 17 1897, in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA. Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins CBE (born 31 December 1937) is a Welsh actor, composer, director and film producer. .to begin with it was definitely a process of starting on the outside and working one’s way deeper and deeper into a subject, a world, and then worlds within worlds. [13] At the age of 14, she dropped out of school, taking a package wrapping job at a Brooklyn department store. She adopted a baby in order to give him a son. beyond smitten. Through his friend Oscar Levant, Frank Fay met Stanwyck, a former chorus girl who had just gotten her first acting role on Broadway (in "Burlesque", 1927), earning good reviews. The mission of this group was to "... combat ... subversive methods [used in the industry] to undermine and change the American way of life." Barbara Stanwyck. Their large ranch and home in the Mandeville Canyon section of Brentwood, Los Angeles, is still referred to by the locals as the old "Robert Taylor ranch. [10], Stanwyck's first sound film was The Locked Door (1929), followed by Mexicali Rose, released in the same year. In 1958 she guest-starred in "Trail to Nowhere", an episode of the Western anthology series Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre, portraying a wife who pursues, overpowers, and kills the man who murdered her husband. He was a great guy. Personally, I loved it. The child whom she had adopted in infancy "resembled her in just one respect: both were, effectively, orphans. This is probably my #1 favorite biography I’ve ever read–and I’ve read a lot. Barbara Stanwyck (born Ruby Catherine Stevens; July 16, 1907 – January 20, 1990) was an American actress, model and dancer. Interesting. And chances are her answer would be not at all, that she was here for a time, did an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay, and when it was over, it was over.