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Frame-Up!: The Untold Story of Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle
An investigative reporter reopens the case of Fatty Arbuckle, arguing that Virginia Rappe's murder, of which Arbuckle was accused, was the tragic result of a frame-up, and he points a finger at the movie moguls who resented Arbuckle's hefty salary
335 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 1, 2007
Andy Edmonds basically pillages Yallop, adding very little, if any, of her own research. This is a shame because if one story is crying out for thorough investigation, it's that of Roscoe Arbuckle. I can only hope that a better book is coming.
July 18, 2012
Andy Edmonds' book about Roscoe Arbuckle's murder trial during the 1920s is an exceptional read for fans of the silent movie era. Not only does it include information about Arbuckle's life before and after the trial, but it includes details provided from those who knew him best including his wives and the wife of Buster Keaton.
Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle was one of the most beloved silent movie comedians of his time. His popularity soared before Chaplin or Keaton had really made it on their own. Children loved him for his wonderful prat-falls and large physical presence, and adults loved him for his sweetness and his ability to make anyone laugh. That all changed when a small time actress and well known prostitute Virginia Rappe died at a party thrown by Arbuckle. Her death was called murder, and Arbuckle was accused of having raped the girl so brutally that he ruptured her bladder in the process. The media turned the trial into a frenzy, making Arbuckle the scapegoat of Hollywood, in turn leading to the implementation of the Hays Office.
What this book fails to do is entirely convince the reader that there was a pre-conceived conspiracy against Arbuckle. Edmonds makes a fool-proof plea for the comedian's innocence of the crime he was charged with, further supporting the acquittal with hindsight, but she does not provide enough evidence to prove her assertion that the party in San Francisco was all a set-up. Still, it is a fascinating read on one of the most damaging events in the actor's life.
Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle was one of the most beloved silent movie comedians of his time. His popularity soared before Chaplin or Keaton had really made it on their own. Children loved him for his wonderful prat-falls and large physical presence, and adults loved him for his sweetness and his ability to make anyone laugh. That all changed when a small time actress and well known prostitute Virginia Rappe died at a party thrown by Arbuckle. Her death was called murder, and Arbuckle was accused of having raped the girl so brutally that he ruptured her bladder in the process. The media turned the trial into a frenzy, making Arbuckle the scapegoat of Hollywood, in turn leading to the implementation of the Hays Office.
What this book fails to do is entirely convince the reader that there was a pre-conceived conspiracy against Arbuckle. Edmonds makes a fool-proof plea for the comedian's innocence of the crime he was charged with, further supporting the acquittal with hindsight, but she does not provide enough evidence to prove her assertion that the party in San Francisco was all a set-up. Still, it is a fascinating read on one of the most damaging events in the actor's life.
July 7, 2018
Several decades ago I found myself talking to someone named Arbuckle. Uncommon name, I thought, so I took a shot: Related to Fatty by any chance? Yes, indeed, she was. Fortified by the ignorance of youth, I ventured an opinion that he must have weighed a ton to kill that poor victim with his sheer weight. The vehemence with which she rose to his defense still rings in my ears: a good and decent man, totally innocent, railroaded. Respecting family loyalty as much if not more than most, I figured, Good for you. But my wholly uninformed opinion that the guy was guilty remained unchanged.
Andy Edmonds wants you to know, if you couldn’t guess from her exclamatory title, that Roscoe Arbuckle didn’t do it. Truth be told, it’s not an especially well-written book. No footnotes, no bibliography, unsourced speculation. And legal wrangling — which is what the book is ultimately about — is a bit beyond her grasp. Still, it’s a quick read and there’s no reason to think her biographical sketch of Arbuckle is inaccurate. All but abandoned by a scummy, abusive father, essentially orphaned at 12 and fending for himself when his mother died. Amazingly resilient, he rose to the very top of the nascent film industry, rivaling Chaplin for popularity and wealth, before it all crashed down in a San Francisco hotel.
So, then, what about Virginia Rappe’s death? She likely died of either complications from an abortion or a pre-existing illness. Arbuckle didn’t kill her, but an overly ambitious prosecutor, relying on highly questionable witness statements and not much else, sought to try him for murder. Why let the absence of adequate proof stand in the way of career advancement? Eventually, trial was held on a manslaughter charge. The first jury hung 10-2 for acquittal, the second, 10-2 for conviction. Arbuckle thus missed a prison sentence by a hair. (Edmonds’ supposition for the different jury reactions is that Arbuckle testified at the 1st trial but not the 2nd. Maybe, but I don’t exactly trust her judgment, which isn’t to say that I have a different and better theory). Third time was the charm. Not only did the jury return a verdict of acquittal in what must be record time (Edmonds says less than 5 minutes; wikipedia, 6 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roscoe_...]), but most of that brief time was spent composing a relatively lengthy statement. In part: “Acquittal is not enough for Roscoe Arbuckle. We feel that a great injustice has been done him. We feel also that it was only our plain duty to give him this exoneration, under the evidence, for there was not the slightest proof adduced to connect him in any way with the commission of a crime. He was manly throughout the case and told a straightforward story on the witness stand, which we all believed. The happening at the hotel was an unfortunate affair for which Arbuckle, so the evidence shows, was in no way responsible. We wish him success and hope that the American people will take the judgment of fourteen men and woman who have sat listening for thirty-one days to evidence, that Roscoe Arbuckle is entirely innocent and free from all blame.”
That’s not the end of the story, not quite. As Edmonds’ sensationalistic title suggests, she wants you to think that he was framed … by Adolph Zukor, the dour and avaricious owner of Arbuckle’s studio, who resented Arbuckle’s steep contract, his independence. Edmonds offers little but wild speculation. It is certainly true that Zukor had all the leverage, Arbuckle none; and that Zukor more than anyone else was responsible for refusing to allow Arbuckle back on his feet. (William J. Mann tells this story marvelously, as an important sidelight to unraveling the mystery of the murder of director William Desmond Taylor, in “Tinseltown.) But this was a function of Zukor’s fear over the rising cries for censorship. Arbuckle’s misfortune was one of timing: Taylor’s murder, along with the drug deaths of other celebrities caused a national furor over Hollywood’s impact on morals. The death of starlet Rappe, under at least questionable circumstances, with intimations of an alcohol and drug-fueled orgy, added quite a bit of tinder to the censorship fire.
Edmonds does add a detail which she says is based on her “personal interviews.” Unsourced, to be sure; first-hand witnesses? who knows? And so this detail is highly suspect, nonetheless it is that while horsing around with Rappe, Arbuckle’s knee reflexively “shot up” into her abdomen. Perhaps that’s what caused her fatal internal injury. Edmonds says, and it’s incontestable, that that wouldn’t have been a criminal act. Regardless, Arbuckle presided over a 2-day party during most of which Rappe lay in utter agony. True, they summoned medical help, which was absolutely abominable. But perhaps, had he and they been in something less than an alcohol haze, help would have sought more aggressively. Doesn’t make Arbuckle guilty of a crime, but it does make him guilty of poor judgment. Nonetheless, I owe his relation an apology.
Andy Edmonds wants you to know, if you couldn’t guess from her exclamatory title, that Roscoe Arbuckle didn’t do it. Truth be told, it’s not an especially well-written book. No footnotes, no bibliography, unsourced speculation. And legal wrangling — which is what the book is ultimately about — is a bit beyond her grasp. Still, it’s a quick read and there’s no reason to think her biographical sketch of Arbuckle is inaccurate. All but abandoned by a scummy, abusive father, essentially orphaned at 12 and fending for himself when his mother died. Amazingly resilient, he rose to the very top of the nascent film industry, rivaling Chaplin for popularity and wealth, before it all crashed down in a San Francisco hotel.
So, then, what about Virginia Rappe’s death? She likely died of either complications from an abortion or a pre-existing illness. Arbuckle didn’t kill her, but an overly ambitious prosecutor, relying on highly questionable witness statements and not much else, sought to try him for murder. Why let the absence of adequate proof stand in the way of career advancement? Eventually, trial was held on a manslaughter charge. The first jury hung 10-2 for acquittal, the second, 10-2 for conviction. Arbuckle thus missed a prison sentence by a hair. (Edmonds’ supposition for the different jury reactions is that Arbuckle testified at the 1st trial but not the 2nd. Maybe, but I don’t exactly trust her judgment, which isn’t to say that I have a different and better theory). Third time was the charm. Not only did the jury return a verdict of acquittal in what must be record time (Edmonds says less than 5 minutes; wikipedia, 6 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roscoe_...]), but most of that brief time was spent composing a relatively lengthy statement. In part: “Acquittal is not enough for Roscoe Arbuckle. We feel that a great injustice has been done him. We feel also that it was only our plain duty to give him this exoneration, under the evidence, for there was not the slightest proof adduced to connect him in any way with the commission of a crime. He was manly throughout the case and told a straightforward story on the witness stand, which we all believed. The happening at the hotel was an unfortunate affair for which Arbuckle, so the evidence shows, was in no way responsible. We wish him success and hope that the American people will take the judgment of fourteen men and woman who have sat listening for thirty-one days to evidence, that Roscoe Arbuckle is entirely innocent and free from all blame.”
That’s not the end of the story, not quite. As Edmonds’ sensationalistic title suggests, she wants you to think that he was framed … by Adolph Zukor, the dour and avaricious owner of Arbuckle’s studio, who resented Arbuckle’s steep contract, his independence. Edmonds offers little but wild speculation. It is certainly true that Zukor had all the leverage, Arbuckle none; and that Zukor more than anyone else was responsible for refusing to allow Arbuckle back on his feet. (William J. Mann tells this story marvelously, as an important sidelight to unraveling the mystery of the murder of director William Desmond Taylor, in “Tinseltown.) But this was a function of Zukor’s fear over the rising cries for censorship. Arbuckle’s misfortune was one of timing: Taylor’s murder, along with the drug deaths of other celebrities caused a national furor over Hollywood’s impact on morals. The death of starlet Rappe, under at least questionable circumstances, with intimations of an alcohol and drug-fueled orgy, added quite a bit of tinder to the censorship fire.
Edmonds does add a detail which she says is based on her “personal interviews.” Unsourced, to be sure; first-hand witnesses? who knows? And so this detail is highly suspect, nonetheless it is that while horsing around with Rappe, Arbuckle’s knee reflexively “shot up” into her abdomen. Perhaps that’s what caused her fatal internal injury. Edmonds says, and it’s incontestable, that that wouldn’t have been a criminal act. Regardless, Arbuckle presided over a 2-day party during most of which Rappe lay in utter agony. True, they summoned medical help, which was absolutely abominable. But perhaps, had he and they been in something less than an alcohol haze, help would have sought more aggressively. Doesn’t make Arbuckle guilty of a crime, but it does make him guilty of poor judgment. Nonetheless, I owe his relation an apology.
December 27, 2024
Good account of the arbuckle case with actual transcripts. Shows the corruption of yellow journalism and how it can taint reputations of people.
January 28, 2019
I recently read "I, Fatty" and "Wolves at the Door". This is probably the best book of the 3, but unfortunately still lacking as it presents a slanted perspective. Much of the information comes from interviews with Minta Durfee Arbuckle (Roscoe's first wife). You will find that they generally agree with events in I, Fatty, but from Minta's perspective. If the other books and material can be believed, her perspective is also a bit slanted. Serious folks will probably read multiple accounts as I did, but if you are only going to read one book, I recommend this one. It would be great if the multiple accounts could be reconciled and presented chronologically with the various points of view. Unfortunately, even then you wouldn't get the full story. While the author certainly has a point of view and identifies support for that position, this book still has plenty of facts to make it a worthwhile read. My tendency is to agree with Mr Edmond's point of view.
October 18, 2015
I *loved* this book. Found it so easy to read. I loved the author's style so much that I went ahead and bought his other book "Hot Toddy". He was able to break down a very complicated scandal with very complicated relationships and make it easy to follow. He did a lot of research and uncovered new evidence that I think proves his theory. He was able to interview Minta Durfee! I thought he showed respect to Roscoe and really let you know who Roscoe was. Both good and bad.
I highly recommend this book. Especially as an intro to Roscoe's life and the details of the trial.
I highly recommend this book. Especially as an intro to Roscoe's life and the details of the trial.
January 17, 2016
A really great read, combining the best features of a Hollywood bio and a true-crime story, all taken straight from the most direct sources available. The author does a great job of compressing 3 murder trials into just a few pertinent pages without boring you to death with repetition and irrelevancies. Also gives you a very clear sense of the temper of the times. Arbuckle's life story would be well worth the read even if he had never gone to court for anything.
December 27, 2022
An interesting look at Arbuckle's life and the scandal that ruined his health and finances. I went in knowing nothing, and I ultimately found the author's conclusion a bit unbelievable. If I have to keep looking for info after finishing a nonfiction about a person, I'm not sure it deserves more than three stars.
The conclusion here is that Arbuckle's friends tickled him at the party, and his knee jerked up as it always did when he was tickled (we're not given any further explanation of that), and his knee caught Virginia Rappe in the abdomen. Rappe had very recently had an abortion, and Arbuckle's knee accidentally ruptured her insides. I'm not sure I believe the knee part, which doesn't mean it's not true. I certainly can believe she died from a ruptured bladder caused by a botched abortion. Although it says the doctor was a well known underground Hollywood abortionist, so why did the procedure get botched? As far as Rappe herself, I thought the descriptions of her were fascinating. She spread VD around the studio, and went to bed with anyone who asked? There is some lurid tea.
I found it interesting how most of Hollywood and the press turned against Arbuckle to preserve their own livelihood, and I was thinking about how this would happen if the Rappe case happened in current times. I found it sad that he died young, on the one year anniversary of his third wedding, to the only woman who had made him happy.
The conclusion here is that Arbuckle's friends tickled him at the party, and his knee jerked up as it always did when he was tickled (we're not given any further explanation of that), and his knee caught Virginia Rappe in the abdomen. Rappe had very recently had an abortion, and Arbuckle's knee accidentally ruptured her insides. I'm not sure I believe the knee part, which doesn't mean it's not true. I certainly can believe she died from a ruptured bladder caused by a botched abortion. Although it says the doctor was a well known underground Hollywood abortionist, so why did the procedure get botched? As far as Rappe herself, I thought the descriptions of her were fascinating. She spread VD around the studio, and went to bed with anyone who asked? There is some lurid tea.
I found it interesting how most of Hollywood and the press turned against Arbuckle to preserve their own livelihood, and I was thinking about how this would happen if the Rappe case happened in current times. I found it sad that he died young, on the one year anniversary of his third wedding, to the only woman who had made him happy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2020
I felt this was a very good, even-handed and objective account of Roscoe (al his friends called him Roscoe, never Fatty!) Arbuckle's life.
The real reason the whole escapade about one party happened was that the studio wanted Arbuckle to do some promo appearances for the latest movie on that holiday weekend. Roscoe said no, he had plans to go up to San Fran with a bunch of friends and just relax.
So the studio decided to make an example of him and set up a scandal. Virginia Rappe was in San Fran for an abortion anyway, so they told her to go to that party. Unluckily for her, she had an infection from that botched abortion and would have died anyway whether she went to that party or not.
Arbuckle was ordered by his lawyers not to tell the real, whole story about that weekend. For one thing, no one would have believed all of it, and for another, it would have opened up a whole can of worms with the studio and abortions and everything else.
As a side note, Arbuckle was a good singer and included singing in his latter career making public appearances.
Also he was very strong and fit, regularly swimming in the ocean.
The real reason the whole escapade about one party happened was that the studio wanted Arbuckle to do some promo appearances for the latest movie on that holiday weekend. Roscoe said no, he had plans to go up to San Fran with a bunch of friends and just relax.
So the studio decided to make an example of him and set up a scandal. Virginia Rappe was in San Fran for an abortion anyway, so they told her to go to that party. Unluckily for her, she had an infection from that botched abortion and would have died anyway whether she went to that party or not.
Arbuckle was ordered by his lawyers not to tell the real, whole story about that weekend. For one thing, no one would have believed all of it, and for another, it would have opened up a whole can of worms with the studio and abortions and everything else.
As a side note, Arbuckle was a good singer and included singing in his latter career making public appearances.
Also he was very strong and fit, regularly swimming in the ocean.
October 31, 2018
After all these years, you still can find people who believe the scandalous and false notion that "Fatty" Arbuckle raped Virginia Rappe, killing her in the process. This skillfully researched and nicely written account of the actual events and the three trials an innocent man was put through thoroughly debunks those lies and smears. It is a must read for anyone who is interested in Arbuckle, early silent comedy, and the ruthless side of of the men who ruled Hollywood in the teens and twenties.
June 22, 2018
Good book about the Roscoe Arbuckle and Virginia Rappe case.
December 30, 2019
An excellent biography of Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle and the manslaughter trial. It is also a fascinating look at the early film industry.
Arbuckle, whose name survives mainly through the scandal he was associated with, was the victim of pure evil. The circumstantial evidence strongly suggests that Adolph Zukor set Arbuckle up but the setup went awry when party girl, prostitute and part time actress Virginia Rappe died from a botched abortion complicated by an infection from venereal disease.
Though Zukor set the scandal in motion the true villain was Matthew Brady, San Francisco district attorney, who was out to make a name for himself for political aspirations and committed all manner of crimes in trying to convict Arbuckle.
Though there were plenty of bad actors in setting up Arbuckle (Fred Fischbach, Maude Delmont, etc) the triumvirate of evil doers is completed by Helen Hubbard, the lone jury vote for conviction at the first trial, who had her mind made up long before the trial had ever started. She obviously lied to be impaneled on the jury and refused to hear the evidence that would have clearly absolved Arbuckle of any wrongdoing.
Via the convenience of the Internet one can now view his films. He was a heavy man who was very agile and athletic and light on his feet. In his talkies made during his comeback in the early 1930s, he exhibits a superb talking voice and made a smooth transition from silent to sound film. Had he lived he would have had a fine career in talkies. One discovers in the book that Arbuckle had a very fine singing voice as a tenor, and it was recommended that her pursue a career in opera. It shows.
Arbuckle himself comes across as a very kind, decent and generous human being and books like this 4 and 5 generations later remind the world of that.
Arbuckle, whose name survives mainly through the scandal he was associated with, was the victim of pure evil. The circumstantial evidence strongly suggests that Adolph Zukor set Arbuckle up but the setup went awry when party girl, prostitute and part time actress Virginia Rappe died from a botched abortion complicated by an infection from venereal disease.
Though Zukor set the scandal in motion the true villain was Matthew Brady, San Francisco district attorney, who was out to make a name for himself for political aspirations and committed all manner of crimes in trying to convict Arbuckle.
Though there were plenty of bad actors in setting up Arbuckle (Fred Fischbach, Maude Delmont, etc) the triumvirate of evil doers is completed by Helen Hubbard, the lone jury vote for conviction at the first trial, who had her mind made up long before the trial had ever started. She obviously lied to be impaneled on the jury and refused to hear the evidence that would have clearly absolved Arbuckle of any wrongdoing.
Via the convenience of the Internet one can now view his films. He was a heavy man who was very agile and athletic and light on his feet. In his talkies made during his comeback in the early 1930s, he exhibits a superb talking voice and made a smooth transition from silent to sound film. Had he lived he would have had a fine career in talkies. One discovers in the book that Arbuckle had a very fine singing voice as a tenor, and it was recommended that her pursue a career in opera. It shows.
Arbuckle himself comes across as a very kind, decent and generous human being and books like this 4 and 5 generations later remind the world of that.
November 20, 2008
i like the whole dirty hollywood thing. they seemed so interesting then when they weren't so worried about the "craft."
Read
March 20, 2018Roscoe Arbuckle was an actor and director, known particularly for his comedy. He was a huge heavy-set fellow, but he could tumble and fall and make people laugh. Nicknamed by the studios and the public as “Fatty,” he was generally a likeable guy, but on September 5, 1921, when he held a party at the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, a young actress, Virginia Rappè fell ill and a few days afterwards, she died. Roscoe was then accused of rape and murder. He had to go through three trials before he was acquitted. But, his reputation and career were ruined. As he tried to rebuild his career, he died of a heart attack just when things started looking up for him.
Edmonds’ book gives details of Roscoe’s life. His father, an angry and selfish alcoholic, abandoned Roscoe, so he learned early in his life to be independent and a survivor. He found that he could make people laugh and enjoyed show business. Half the book is about his life, his relationship with his first wife, and his career. The other half of the book is about the tragedy that fell upon him because of the September 5th party. He was popular and framed by movie studios that did not like that he had reached a position wherein he could take more control of his career and go where the money is.
The book shows how the media destroyed him, in particular the Hearst-owned newspapers with sensationalism so they could sell papers on Roscoe’s expense.
It turns out Rappè’s autopsy was fraudulent, wherein evidence was destroyed. She also may have died negligently as the doctor refused to do surgery on her as she had an a ruptured bladder and the doctor had decided that it was too late to save her and did not even try.
This story is upsetting because an innocent man’s life was destroyed. However, there are still those who have their doubts and to this date, are convinced that Roscoe did commit harm on Ms. Rappè.
Edmonds’ book gives details of Roscoe’s life. His father, an angry and selfish alcoholic, abandoned Roscoe, so he learned early in his life to be independent and a survivor. He found that he could make people laugh and enjoyed show business. Half the book is about his life, his relationship with his first wife, and his career. The other half of the book is about the tragedy that fell upon him because of the September 5th party. He was popular and framed by movie studios that did not like that he had reached a position wherein he could take more control of his career and go where the money is.
The book shows how the media destroyed him, in particular the Hearst-owned newspapers with sensationalism so they could sell papers on Roscoe’s expense.
It turns out Rappè’s autopsy was fraudulent, wherein evidence was destroyed. She also may have died negligently as the doctor refused to do surgery on her as she had an a ruptured bladder and the doctor had decided that it was too late to save her and did not even try.
This story is upsetting because an innocent man’s life was destroyed. However, there are still those who have their doubts and to this date, are convinced that Roscoe did commit harm on Ms. Rappè.
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