Kay Francis Gives A Party


Kay’s having some friends over, and judging by her outfit, this gathering looks to have a nautical theme. Richard Barthelmess is first from the left. I’m not sure what that is around his eyes. Has he painted rings around them? James Cagney must have come straight over from the set of Frisco Kid, as that costume appears to be one he wears in the picture. Kay looks smart in her admiral’s attire. Did she stage this party for her own amusement, or was it matter of much-needed publicity at a time (February 1935) when her popularity was beginning to slip? Maurice Chevalier’s to the right of her. According to a recent biography, they were involved at the time. That’s Joan Blondell and husband George Barnes completing the line-up. I’d always heard these parties could run into serious money, but stars regarded them as necessary evils. Such events got a lot of press, after all, and visibility had to be maintained if careers were to flourish.