American stage and film actress Kay Francis moved quickly from a brief run on Broadway during the late 1920s to her film debut in Gentlemen of the Press (1929) and the Marx Brothers film, The Cocoanuts (1929).
Kay starred in nearly two dozen important films between 1929 and 1931, yet today she is largely forgotten, yet when author Scott O’Brien gained access to Kay’s personal diaries, he discovered the woman behind the mask: Kay's compassionate nature, her concern for others, her great contributions on behalf of those serving in the armed forces during World War II, and the financial legacy she contributed to The Seeing Eye, an organization that trains dogs for the blind.
Discover her godson’s portrait of a woman who lived in the moment and generated a great deal of loving warmth, amplified by many rare unpublished photos, interviews from co-workers, friends, and family. The face behind the fame finally emerges in a complete the picture of one of Hollywood's most glamorous and intriguing stars.
“I cannot tell you how thrilled I am with this book that author Scott O'Brien did on a magnificent lady that I was fortunate enough to have played her daughter in two movies . . . Mr. O'Brien’s book shows what lengths he goes to substantiate his stories and facts without filling in with apocryphal tales.” –Sybil Jason, author of My Fifteen Minutes and 5 Minutes More
“A superb biography . . . a sympathetic look at a complicated woman and a talent actress. Yet while the biographer looks at his subject sympathetically, he doesn't make Kay Francis a saint. He brings forth a flesh and blood well-rounded human being with faults and foibles like everybody else, but who was essentially kind-hearted and misused by the studio in the later part of her film career. In the end Kay triumphs, and so does this well-written and researched book!” – Charles Tranbergm, author of I Love the Illusion – The Life and Career of Agnes Moorehead
“Extensively researched, considered, well-written. He talked to everybody. He nailed down facts, such as her real birthday—she was actually younger than some books have said—and he did right by his subject.” –Mick LaSalle, film reviewer for the San Francisco Chronicle
“. . . (Scott) O'Brien has a way about him, and his words vividly express how he feels about Kay's performances. His comments are often lively and he uses film dialogue to great advantage. You want to see the movies after he expressively describes them . . . O'Brien, however, sees Kay's faults and balances his remarks when it comes to her personal life.” –Laura Wagner from Classic Images
