The Complete Kay Francis Career Record is available for purchase.
This book is the definitive guide to the film, stage, radio and television career of Kay Francis,
one of the most glamorous stars from the golden age of Hollywood. For each film, the authors provide
a thorough synopsis plus cast and crew information (including biographies), opening dates, production notes,
behind-the-scenes details, and reviews. In addition, information is provided on her stage, radio, and
television appearances, and a section is devoted to collecting Kay Francis memorabilia,
including such items as cigarette cards, sheet music, and soundtracks.
Also covered is the stage and vaudeville career of Kay Francis’ mother, Katherine Clinton.
A brief biography of Kay Francis is provided, along with an insightful foreword by film scholar James Robert Parish.
Truly a treasure trove for Kay Francis fans and anyone interested in classic filmmaking in the 1930s and 1940s,
the book includes more than 100 illustrations, many of them rare.
"This is an exhaustive, very well-researched look at the long and fascinating career of Kay Francis....This hardcover tome
with lots and lots of photos is not just a dry reference book of lists, but has synopses and reactions to all of her movies,
including background notes about each film, as well as a sampling of often contradictory reviews....
These essays are written with humor and intelligence. The authors unearth some interesting and bizarre things....
Verdict: For every Francis fan's bookshelf."
William Schoell, Great Old Movies
"[T]he book is...hard to put down. There is obviously a tremendous amount of research between the covers."
Ken Krug, The Illustrated Press
"Some film books appeal to us for their generous use of illustrations,
while others we value primarily for the detailed information they provide.
The Complete Kay Francis Career Record is that rare book that combines both attributes.
Your first impulse upon opening the book may be to savor the more than 100 gorgeous photos of Francis,
crisply reproduced here, and understandably so.
Having done that, go back to page 1 and let Kear and Rossman take you on a guided tour of Francis' filmography.
For each of the actress' films, the authors provide a detailed synopsis,
behind-the-scenes stories, a keen-eyed critical analysis, and a sampling of published reviews.
The authors clearly love Francis and her work, but they are judicious critics who appreciate the best of her films,
and are willing to tell the truth, often with a welcome dose of humor, about those that fall short of their goals.
If you're already a Francis fan, this book will be nirvana to you; if you're not,
Kear and Rossman are likely to make you a convert."
David C. Tucker, author of The Women Who Made Television
Funny: Ten Stars of 1950s Sitcoms and Shirley Booth: A Biography and Career Record.
The Complete Kay Francis Career Record is as in depth as any
career guide
can possibly be, giving fans details about her radio appearances and
her
brief work on television, a list of magazine covers Francis appeared
on,
addresses of where the star lived, brief information about nearly all
of her
costars, information about products Francis endorsed, and a guide to
Katherine Clinton’s (Kay Francis’ mother) stage work as an actress.
Of
course, most of the book revolves around Kay Francis’ film career,
for which
she is most known. Kear and Rossman give in depth plot synopsizes and
quotes
from the productions. There isn’t more fans can ask for.
The effort of meticulous research, lacking in so many other biographies
today, is revealed on every page. The book is informative, opinionated,
and
sincere without ever getting exaggerated. Many thanks to Kear and
Rossman
for compiling one of the best books about Hollywood within the past
year." Mike O'Hanlon
Please click on the book image to order from Amazon.
Timothy Sexton wrote a review of both Kay Francis books.
Lynn Kear was interviewed for the DeKalb County Public Library blog. Read the interview on
DCPLive.
An Alice Faye dvd set has been released. One of the films is Four Jills in a Jeep.
Included in the set is a documentary with on-camera interviews of Lynn Kear and John Rossman discussing Kay Francis.
You can order the set on
Amazon.
Journalist Gail Slaughter wrote an article for the Jackson Citizen Patriot
about Kay's connection to Homer, Michigan. Read
Kay Francis Had Family
Ties to Homer . (NOTE: Once you click to the newspaper article, click AGAIN
on article to enlarge!)
Kay Francis: A Passionate Life and Career is profiled in
the May 2006 issue of
Bright Lights Film Journal
and the
March 2006 issue of
Femme Fatales.
CLICK HERE TO CONTACT THE AUTHORS
Copyright 2008
NEWS
One of the book's highlights is the tremendous amount of illustrations covering all facets of Kay's career, including
a never before published original watercolor. The self-portrait, signed and dedicated to her personal physician, reveals
surprising artistic ability.
"...a masterful and comprehensive guide....The Complete Kay Francis not only brings her long and extensive career
to light, but properly recognizes her unique contributions as a movie star. This book sets a new standard for future,
serious looks at other movie actors' careers. This book has many beautiful photographs and is loaded with fascinating
information. In particular, the sections covering Kay's stage, radio and television appearances are the most
impressive and complete sections I have ever encountered in any other books of similar types.
I would highly recommend this book to any fan of classic movies. For those who are Kay Francis fans,
this book will be embraced as a long awaited tribute; for those who are unfamiliar with her work,
they will be pleasantly surprised and perhaps encouraged to to view some of her many movies.
Kudos to Kear and Rossman for a superbly crafted book!" Michael Rinella, film researcher
"Authors Lynn Kear and John Rossman have made lighting strike twice for the 1930s diva with The
Complete Kay Francis Career Record, a follow-up to their much-detailed biography,
Kay Francis: A Passionate Life and Career.”
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