#frank mayo biography written by me

[frankmayo]

Parallel Worlds: Frank Mayo Biography

｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆.His Childhood

｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆.His Family

｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆.His Screen Stardom

｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆.His Bond With His Mother

｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆.His Half Brother

｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆.His Complicated Relationships With Women

Upper picture - Frank Mayo I (Frank Maguire Mayo) Center - Frank Mayo II (Edwin F. Mayo) Bottom - Frank Mayo III (Frank Lorimer Mayo) (Photoplay, May 1920)

Frank Mayo's grandfather Frank Maguire Mayo was one of the pioneers in American theatrical circles. He "created the virile, wholesome, tenderly humorous role of Davy Crockett, hunter and woodsman in the never-to-be-forgotten play. Later he repeated his former success in 'Pudd'nhead Wilson,' the play dramatized from Mark Twain's famous book by the same name."(*Motion Picture Magazine, Jan 1919)

Little boy: Edwin Mayo (Lormy's father) Standing man: Frank Maguire Mayo (Lormy's grandfather) (*David Carroll, "The Matinee Idols," 1972, p.47)

He had one son named Edwin and two daughters named Eleanor and Deronda. Edwin Mayo was likely born in California around 1862. He had divorced his first wife Jennie Bartine in Sep 2, 1886, and later he married an actress, Frances Graham(e) in Sep 12, 1888. Her off stage name was Frances Johnstone.

Parents of Frances Johnstone, George Lorimer Johnstone and Frances Hoy married in Ohio in December, 1857.

Their son George Lorimer, Jr. was born in Ohio in November 2, 1859.

Their daughter Alice was born in Ohio in 1861.

Their daughter Frances was born in Newport, Kentucky, in March 9, 1865.

Their son Paul Menifee was born in Newport, Kentucky in July 7, 1867.

Their daughter Kathrine Mary was born in Newport, Kentucky, in January 21, 1870.

These five children are shown with their father George Lorimer Johnstone, Sr. and an adult woman named Anna in Campbell, Kentucky Census of August 6, 1870.

George Lorimer Johnstone, Sr., who was an operator of a Mississippi steamboat line, died in New Port, Kentucky in October, 1870. And then, these five children are shown with their mother Frances Hoy in New York, New York Census of December 23, 1870.

"What do you mean—Frank? Dear old granddad had to be 'old Frank' because father was 'young Frank.' Now what am I? I happened to be christened Lorimer Frank, so from now on I am Lorimer Mayo." -Frank Mayo(*Motion Picture Magazine, Jan 1919)

Frank Lorimer Mayo was born in 28 June, 1889. He was the only child. Lormy made his stage debut as a child in his grandfather's company. One of the earliest articles to name Frank Mayo III was from May 20, 1892. It says, "Three generations of Mayos, Frank, his son Edwin and grandson Master Leon appeared in Davy Crockett last Saturday night."(*Crawfordsville Star, Crawfordsville, Indiana, May 20, 1892) And Lormy was the only grandson born during Frank Maguire Mayo's living years.

For your reference, his birth year was misreported as 1886 during his screen stardom years and he also said that his birth year is 1886 to the press. But actually his birth year is written as 1889 on the official documents such as his draft registrations and his first wife Joyce's passport application.

When Lormy was 6 year old, he was playing with grease-paint and was smearing all over his face with it, only to be caught by a property man. He grabbed Lormy by the back of his neck and threw him on the stage. In his role, he had to enter rubbing his eyes as if he had been asleep, and, when he dropped his hands, his grandfather took one look at Lormy's face and whispered, 'Get off this stage!' At the end of the act his grandfather came back to the wings, where Lormy sat huddled in his mother's arms, and told him that he is fired. This started Lormy's sobs, and he asked mother if we really would starve now he was fired. But next day, he was re-engaged.(*Motion Picture Magazine, Sep 1920)

Later, when Lormy became an motion picture actor in the United States, he was asked, what your grandfather and your father would have thought of motion picture as an art. he replied, "I fear grandfather would never have considered them seriously, for he was too much of the old school to welcome such a radical step. But I'm sure father would have welcomed them as a marvelous means of perpetuating the work of great actors."(*Motion Picture Magazine, Sep 1920)

Lormy continued to work as an actor until his grandfather died June 8, 1896. Lormy was on the train with him when he died.(*Moving Picture World, 1 Jan 1916) Lormy was placed in a military school in Peekskill, New York.(*Motion Picture Magazine, Sep 1920)

Lormy remembered Belle Stoddard, wife of Paul Menifee Johnstone, as “like a mother to me than aunt.” He said, "At the time I was sent to school at Peekskill my mother and father were both on the road, while my aunt had married Menifee Johnstone and decided to retire from the stage for a while. So I was left in my aunt's care for many years. Whenever my parents played in any city near New York my aunt would take me to visit them, and always on Christmas and at Easter time we would join my father and mother wherever they happened to be."(*The Canaseraga Times, Canaseraga, New York, Oct 1, 1920) Lormy said she had been "a real good sport" to him.(*Picturegoer, Dec 1921)

Later, his father died February 18, 1900. Lormy claimed that after his father's death, he and his mother clung to each other in their grief and spent several years traveling thru Europe and later settled in Liverpool.(*Motion Picture Magazine, Sep 1920) But actually his mother remarried in May 25, 1903, to an Englishman named Henry Butler Hardrige Palmer in Manhattan, New York City. Then it makes perfect sense that the three of them ended up living in the England. But Lormy never said about his mother's remarriage to American press.

In May 3, 1906, a boy named William Spencer Palmer was born to Henry Butler Hardrige Palmer and Frances Johnstone in Rock Ferry, Cheshire. He was baptized on February 24, 1907, in Bebington, where Bebington College, where his half brother Lormy attended(*Motion Picture Magazine, Sep 1920), was located.

I don't know when, but in England(*Photoplay, Apr 1917), Frank Mayo married an blue-eyed, auburn-haired English woman named Joyce Eleanor Moore.

Meanwhile, Lormy's uncle, George Lorimer Johnstone, Jr., who worked as a producer at the Santa Barbara Film Company(=American Film Manufacturing Company), invited Lormy to join him, so Lormy left his mother in England for the United States to join his uncle.(*Motion Picture Magazine, Sep 1920)

"When I sailed from Liverpool the last time, I watched my mother standing on the wharf until she was lost in the fog, and the memory of those moments calls up every ounce of emotion in me." -Frank Mayo(*Motion Picture Magazine, Sep 1920)

In terms of his early career, Lormy worked first at American Film Manufacturing Company, then at Selig.

(Group photo of Balboa Players at a ball at the Hotel Virginia: The Moving Picture World, 4 March 1916 Bottom right-hand photo: Photo of Mrs. Joyce Moore Mayo. Her passport application, 1920 / Family Search)

And then, he and his wife Joyce Eleanor Moore worked at Balboa during 1915-17. At Balboa, his frequent leading lady was Ruth Roland.

Mr. Mayo was described as "a very quiet, unassuming young man."(*The Moving Picture World, 23 Jan 1915) During his very early film career, he unintentionally rode on his grandfather's coattails. One article said, "His grandfather, Frank Mayo, one of the foremost American actors of a generation ago, is still remembered for his sterling characterizations in 'Davy Crockett' and 'Puddin' Head Wilson.' Although American born, Americans do not know much of this young man, for the greater part of his professional life has been spent abroad."(*Moving Picture World, 1 Jan 1916)

"He is a grandson of that sterling American actor of the same name who was known to all theatergoers a quarter of a century ago. The young man is an actor worthy of his name. He has a pleasing appearance; he possesses magnetism." -Moving Picture World, 20 Nov 1915

Lormy was likely signed with World in 1918. At World, He was usually portrayed as villain characters and often co-starred with June Elvidge.

Since about 1919, Lormy started to work for Universal. One article described the Universal films starring Frank Mayo as "Universal features full of punch and punches."(*Pictures and Picturegoer, Feb 1924) At Universal, Lormy was usually cast in the 'fighting Romeo' roles. He said that the reason of the success of Universal film The Brute Breaker (1919) is because there was a climatic fight in it. He said, "I should like to have a chance to show the public that I can at least try to do something else than fight. I do not care about playing society-man types. Pretty boys are out of my line. I wouldn't play a pretty-boy part because I hate the type."(*Pantomime, Feb 25, 1922)

Meanwhile, in 1919, Lormy and his wife Joyce are separated. One article describes Joyce Moore's conjugal pastime was throwing lamps at her husband.(*Motion Picture Magazine, January 1922)

In 1920, Joyce Moore charged Dagmar Godowsky, a co-star of her husband and a daughter of famous pianist Leopold Godowsky, with being the home-breaker.(*Photoplay, May 1920) It is said that Frank Mayo sued Joyce Moore for a divorce on the grounds of desertion(*Photoplay, January 1922) after Joyce had dropped her second suit for separate maintenance she filed against him.(*Motion Picture Magazine, November 1920)

In 1921, Frank Mayo received interlocutory decree of divorce. Three (or four) days later, on October 1, 1921, he married Dagmar Godowsky in Tia Juana, Mexico, because California laws require a divorced person to wait one year before marrying again. In other words, he married Dagmar before his divorce decree became final. Like Rudolph Valentino, Henry Walthall, he was investigated for bigamy. Unlike the general press, movie magazines incorrectly reported that Frank Mayo had married Dagmar after his divorce was finalized, which gave Mayo and Dagmar's marriage considerable support. The disgrace was that his picture appeared in the newspaper next to Henry Walthall's photo while he was investigated for bigamy, and the problem was that Lormy had no reason to flee to another country and marry whereas Henry Walthall had reason to flee to another state and marry(his mistress, Mary Charleson, had already given birth to his baby eight months earlier), so unlike Henry Walthall's marriage, Lormy's marriage could only be seen as bigamy no matter how they look at it. It must have left a huge stain on his career.

”Often, when the subject of Mrs. Mayo's career is broached, there is a friendly argument between husband and wife, for Frank wishes her to be content as the wife of a man who adores her."(*Pantomime, Feb 25, 1922) In response to Dagmar Godowsky's question, “But Frank, do married women have no rights? Must I sit at home just because I am your wife?” Lormy is said to have replied, “You must.”(*Pantomime, Feb 25, 1922) He once said, "I don't believe a woman should work after she is married.(*Photoplay, June 1922) I personally think that home life is happier for a woman's remaining in the home and making a career of domestic life; yet I sympathize with my wife's ambitions, and I know we shall continue to be happy no matter what happens."(*Picture-Play, April 1922) His idealized image of a woman seems to reflect Belle Stoddard Johnstone rather than his mother.

Meanwhile, Lormy's stepfather Henry Butler Hardrige Palmer died in November 4, 1922.

(Passenger list of SS Baltic which left Liverpool on September 29, 1923. / Family Search)

(SS Baltic arrived in New York City on October 9, 1923. W.S. Palmer's naturalization record of 1943 / Family Search)

In 1923, Frances Johnstone moved to United States from England with her son William Spencer Palmer.

(Picture Show, Sep 11, 1920)

There wasn't enough insistent demand for Frank Mayo to warrant owner of Universal Pictures, Carl Laemmle's giving him a raise and retaining his service.(*Screenland, Feb 1924) Lormy left Universal. He seems to have signed with Goldwyn around January, 1923. "Out of Universal, Mayo sold his services to Goldwyn for several times the amount he received at Universal City. But he didn't sign as a star; he signed as a supporting player. In other words, Goldwyn considers Frank Mayo several times more valuable to have around the studio than did Universal."(*Screenland, Feb 1924) His career took a downward spiral at least since 1925.

In 1925, one article reported that "Here it is almost the season for brides and not a single film star has announced her engagement. More of them seem to be contemplating divorce. Dagmar Godowsky is getting one from Frank Mayo but it seems to be that the papers have been full of that for years."(*Picture-Play, Jun 1925) The event that cemented Dagmar Godowsky's decision to divorce was her husband's involvement with Anna Luther.

"Anna Luther was a Keystone-Triangle leading lady during 1915-16, who left for Foxfilm comedies and feature films in the 1920s."(*Brent E. Walker, Mack Sennett's Fun Factory, p.591) Dagmar Godowsky named Anna Luther as co-respondent in a suit brought against Frank Mayo in March 1925. Dagmar Godowsky discovered her husband with Anna Luther in his apartment. She claimed that her husband was wearing only a bathrobe.

When Dagmar said, “Now I can get my divorce.”, Frank Mayo reportedly said, “But why bother about that?” Dagmar then said, “You and I were never legally married and so the courts have nothing to say about parting us.”(*The Troy Sunday Budget, Troy, New York, Jul 12, 1925)

Meanwhile, Anna Luther claimed that she had been friends with Frank Mayo since the days when she was still at Keystone Studios and was merely comforting Mayo, who was suffering from a headache. "It looks pretty funny to me, Don't forget that Dagmar herself was the co-respondent in Frank Mayo's first divorce suit," unashamed but witty Anna Luther said.

In the same year, 1925, Frank Mayo applied for $2500 attorney fees to permit Joyce Moore to appear in connection with a suit between them over a property settlement that they had entered into in 1923. Joyce Moore was said to be in England and without means to come to America and appear in the suit over the contract under which Frank Mayo was to pay her $150 a week alimony. Joyce Moore also filed a motion after the interlocutory decree was entered, asking her default be set aside on the ground that she had been unable to come to America and fight the divorce suit. She was said to have been working at the time in Paris, France, as a chorus girl at a salary of $25 a week. During the arguments in the new case it developed that a final decree of divorce had never been entered.(*Photoplay, January 1925) This is what made marriage between Mayo and Godowsky was annulled.

However, I think that only movie fans were unaware that their divorce was not yet final but the parties (Frank Mayo and Joyce Moore) were aware of that. (There were reports in the general press outside of movie magazines that Frank Mayo's marriage was being investigated for bigamy.)

In May 29, 1925, He is granted a final decree of divorce from Joyce Moore.

An article about the preview of the 1927 film Ragtime, directed by Scott Pembroke, reveals that the hostess of the preview was Joyce Moore. The article describes Joyce Moore as “Mrs. Frank Mayo” and “known in stage and screen circles as Joyce Mayo”.(*Moving Picture World, 27 Aug 1927)

Margaret Shorey (The Evening Independent, St. Petersburg, Florida, Dec 7, 1925)

In August 25, 1928, Frank Mayo married vaudeville performer Margaret Louise Shorey. The wedding took place in Lynchburg, Virginia, where the two were filling a stage engagement.(*Picture-Play, Jul 1929)

Meanwhile, Although Lormy's mother Frances returned to the United States after her husband's death, Lormy and his mother lived in separate parallel worlds.

According to United States Census, 1930, Frances Johnstone lives with her son William Spencer in New Jersey while Lormy living with his wife Margaret Shorey in Los Angeles, California.

According to United States Census, 1940, Frances Johnstone lives with her son William Spencer and her sister Kathrine Mary Johnstone in New York City while Lormy living with his wife Margaret Shorey in Los Angeles, California.

(William Spencer Palmer's WW2 draft registration / Family Search)

(Frank Mayo's WW2 draft registration / Family Search)

Most notable records showing these two parallel worlds are World War 2 draft registrations of Lormy and his half brother William Spencer. Lormy wrote the name of (Isa)belle Stoddard Johnstone, wife of late Paul Menifee Johnstone, on the space 'Name and address of person who will always know your address' while William Spencer wrote the name of his mother on that space.

(W.S. Palmer's personal description. World War 2 draft registration in 1940 (aged 34) / Family Search)

(W.S. Palmer's personal description. Naturalization record in 1943 (aged 37) / Family Search)

William Spencer Palmer married an American woman named Elizabeth Sherwood in June 27, 1941, and he became naturalized in the United States in 1943. Their daughter Frances P. Palmer was born in New York in 1945.

Frances Johnstone' sister Kathrine Mary Johnstone died in February 23, 1947.

According to United States Census, 1950, Frances Johnstone lives with her son William Spencer, his wife Elizabeth, and his daughter Frances in New Jersey while Lormy living with his wife Evelyn in Los Angeles, California. Back then, William Spencer Palmer was a proprietor of Jewelry accessory firm.

[from1837to1945]

Parallel Worlds: Frank Mayo Biography

｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆.His Childhood

｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆.His Family

｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆.His Screen Stardom

｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆.His Bond With His Mother

｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆.His Half Brother

｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆.His Complicated Relationships With Women

Upper picture - Frank Mayo I (Frank Maguire Mayo) Center - Frank Mayo II (Edwin F. Mayo) Bottom - Frank Mayo III (Frank Lorimer Mayo) (Photoplay, May 1920)

Frank Mayo's grandfather Frank Maguire Mayo was one of the pioneers in American theatrical circles. He "created the virile, wholesome, tenderly humorous role of Davy Crockett, hunter and woodsman in the never-to-be-forgotten play. Later he repeated his former success in 'Pudd'nhead Wilson,' the play dramatized from Mark Twain's famous book by the same name."(*Motion Picture Magazine, Jan 1919)

Little boy: Edwin Mayo (Lormy's father) Standing man: Frank Maguire Mayo (Lormy's grandfather) (*David Carroll, "The Matinee Idols," 1972, p.47)

He had one son named Edwin and two daughters named Eleanor and Deronda. Edwin Mayo was likely born in California around 1862. He had divorced his first wife Jennie Bartine in Sep 2, 1886, and later he married an actress, Frances Graham(e) in Sep 12, 1888. Her off stage name was Frances Johnstone.

Parents of Frances Johnstone, George Lorimer Johnstone and Frances Hoy married in Ohio in December, 1857.

Their son George Lorimer, Jr. was born in Ohio in November 2, 1859.

Their daughter Alice was born in Ohio in 1861.

Their daughter Frances was born in Newport, Kentucky, in March 9, 1865.

Their son Paul Menifee was born in Newport, Kentucky in July 7, 1867.

Their daughter Kathrine Mary was born in Newport, Kentucky, in January 21, 1870.

These five children are shown with their father George Lorimer Johnstone, Sr. and an adult woman named Anna in Campbell, Kentucky Census of August 6, 1870.

George Lorimer Johnstone, Sr., who was an operator of a Mississippi steamboat line, died in New Port, Kentucky in October, 1870. And then, these five children are shown with their mother Frances Hoy in New York, New York Census of December 23, 1870.

"What do you mean—Frank? Dear old granddad had to be 'old Frank' because father was 'young Frank.' Now what am I? I happened to be christened Lorimer Frank, so from now on I am Lorimer Mayo." -Frank Mayo(*Motion Picture Magazine, Jan 1919)

Frank Lorimer Mayo was born in 28 June, 1889. He was the only child. Lormy made his stage debut as a child in his grandfather's company. One of the earliest articles to name Frank Mayo III was from May 20, 1892. It says, "Three generations of Mayos, Frank, his son Edwin and grandson Master Leon appeared in Davy Crockett last Saturday night."(*Crawfordsville Star, Crawfordsville, Indiana, May 20, 1892) And Lormy was the only grandson born during Frank Maguire Mayo's living years.

For your reference, his birth year was misreported as 1886 during his screen stardom years and he also said that his birth year is 1886 to the press. But actually his birth year is written as 1889 on the official documents such as his draft registrations and his first wife Joyce's passport application.

When Lormy was 6 year old, he was playing with grease-paint and was smearing all over his face with it, only to be caught by a property man. He grabbed Lormy by the back of his neck and threw him on the stage. In his role, he had to enter rubbing his eyes as if he had been asleep, and, when he dropped his hands, his grandfather took one look at Lormy's face and whispered, 'Get off this stage!' At the end of the act his grandfather came back to the wings, where Lormy sat huddled in his mother's arms, and told him that he is fired. This started Lormy's sobs, and he asked mother if we really would starve now he was fired. But next day, he was re-engaged.(*Motion Picture Magazine, Sep 1920)

Later, when Lormy became an motion picture actor in the United States, he was asked, what your grandfather and your father would have thought of motion picture as an art. he replied, "I fear grandfather would never have considered them seriously, for he was too much of the old school to welcome such a radical step. But I'm sure father would have welcomed them as a marvelous means of perpetuating the work of great actors."(*Motion Picture Magazine, Sep 1920)

Lormy continued to work as an actor until his grandfather died June 8, 1896. Lormy was on the train with him when he died.(*Moving Picture World, 1 Jan 1916) Lormy was placed in a military school in Peekskill, New York.(*Motion Picture Magazine, Sep 1920)

Lormy remembered Belle Stoddard, wife of Paul Menifee Johnstone, as “like a mother to me than aunt.” He said, "At the time I was sent to school at Peekskill my mother and father were both on the road, while my aunt had married Menifee Johnstone and decided to retire from the stage for a while. So I was left in my aunt's care for many years. Whenever my parents played in any city near New York my aunt would take me to visit them, and always on Christmas and at Easter time we would join my father and mother wherever they happened to be."(*The Canaseraga Times, Canaseraga, New York, Oct 1, 1920) Lormy said she had been "a real good sport" to him.(*Picturegoer, Dec 1921)

Later, his father died February 18, 1900. Lormy claimed that after his father's death, he and his mother clung to each other in their grief and spent several years traveling thru Europe and later settled in Liverpool.(*Motion Picture Magazine, Sep 1920) But actually his mother remarried in May 25, 1903, to an Englishman named Henry Butler Hardrige Palmer in Manhattan, New York City. Then it makes perfect sense that the three of them ended up living in the England. But Lormy never said about his mother's remarriage to American press.

In May 3, 1906, a boy named William Spencer Palmer was born to Henry Butler Hardrige Palmer and Frances Johnstone in Rock Ferry, Cheshire. He was baptized on February 24, 1907, in Bebington, where Bebington College, where his half brother Lormy attended(*Motion Picture Magazine, Sep 1920), was located.

I don't know when, but in England(*Photoplay, Apr 1917), Frank Mayo married an blue-eyed, auburn-haired English woman named Joyce Eleanor Moore.

Meanwhile, Lormy's uncle, George Lorimer Johnstone, Jr., who worked as a producer at the Santa Barbara Film Company(=American Film Manufacturing Company), invited Lormy to join him, so Lormy left his mother in England for the United States to join his uncle.(*Motion Picture Magazine, Sep 1920)

"When I sailed from Liverpool the last time, I watched my mother standing on the wharf until she was lost in the fog, and the memory of those moments calls up every ounce of emotion in me." -Frank Mayo(*Motion Picture Magazine, Sep 1920)

In terms of his early career, Lormy worked first at American Film Manufacturing Company, then at Selig.

(Group photo of Balboa Players at a ball at the Hotel Virginia: The Moving Picture World, 4 March 1916 Bottom right-hand photo: Photo of Mrs. Joyce Moore Mayo. Her passport application, 1920 / Family Search)

And then, he and his wife Joyce Eleanor Moore worked at Balboa during 1915-17. At Balboa, his frequent leading lady was Ruth Roland.

Mr. Mayo was described as "a very quiet, unassuming young man."(*The Moving Picture World, 23 Jan 1915) During his very early film career, he unintentionally rode on his grandfather's coattails. One article said, "His grandfather, Frank Mayo, one of the foremost American actors of a generation ago, is still remembered for his sterling characterizations in 'Davy Crockett' and 'Puddin' Head Wilson.' Although American born, Americans do not know much of this young man, for the greater part of his professional life has been spent abroad."(*Moving Picture World, 1 Jan 1916)

"He is a grandson of that sterling American actor of the same name who was known to all theatergoers a quarter of a century ago. The young man is an actor worthy of his name. He has a pleasing appearance; he possesses magnetism." -Moving Picture World, 20 Nov 1915

Lormy was likely signed with World in 1918. At World, He was usually portrayed as villain characters and often co-starred with June Elvidge.

Since about 1919, Lormy started to work for Universal. One article described the Universal films starring Frank Mayo as "Universal features full of punch and punches."(*Pictures and Picturegoer, Feb 1924) At Universal, Lormy was usually cast in the 'fighting Romeo' roles. He said that the reason of the success of Universal film The Brute Breaker (1919) is because there was a climatic fight in it. He said, "I should like to have a chance to show the public that I can at least try to do something else than fight. I do not care about playing society-man types. Pretty boys are out of my line. I wouldn't play a pretty-boy part because I hate the type."(*Pantomime, Feb 25, 1922)

Meanwhile, in 1919, Lormy and his wife Joyce are separated. One article describes Joyce Moore's conjugal pastime was throwing lamps at her husband.(*Motion Picture Magazine, January 1922)

In 1920, Joyce Moore charged Dagmar Godowsky, a co-star of her husband and a daughter of famous pianist Leopold Godowsky, with being the home-breaker.(*Photoplay, May 1920) It is said that Frank Mayo sued Joyce Moore for a divorce on the grounds of desertion(*Photoplay, January 1922) after Joyce had dropped her second suit for separate maintenance she filed against him.(*Motion Picture Magazine, November 1920)

In 1921, Frank Mayo received interlocutory decree of divorce. Three (or four) days later, on October 1, 1921, he married Dagmar Godowsky in Tia Juana, Mexico, because California laws require a divorced person to wait one year before marrying again. In other words, he married Dagmar before his divorce decree became final. Like Rudolph Valentino, Henry Walthall, he was investigated for bigamy. Unlike the general press, movie magazines incorrectly reported that Frank Mayo had married Dagmar after his divorce was finalized, which gave Mayo and Dagmar's marriage considerable support. The disgrace was that his picture appeared in the newspaper next to Henry Walthall's photo while he was investigated for bigamy, and the problem was that Lormy had no reason to flee to another country and marry whereas Henry Walthall had reason to flee to another state and marry(his mistress, Mary Charleson, had already given birth to his baby eight months earlier), so unlike Henry Walthall's marriage, Lormy's marriage could only be seen as bigamy no matter how they look at it. It must have left a huge stain on his career.

”Often, when the subject of Mrs. Mayo's career is broached, there is a friendly argument between husband and wife, for Frank wishes her to be content as the wife of a man who adores her."(*Pantomime, Feb 25, 1922) In response to Dagmar Godowsky's question, “But Frank, do married women have no rights? Must I sit at home just because I am your wife?” Lormy is said to have replied, “You must.”(*Pantomime, Feb 25, 1922) He once said, "I don't believe a woman should work after she is married.(*Photoplay, June 1922) I personally think that home life is happier for a woman's remaining in the home and making a career of domestic life; yet I sympathize with my wife's ambitions, and I know we shall continue to be happy no matter what happens."(*Picture-Play, April 1922) His idealized image of a woman seems to reflect Belle Stoddard Johnstone rather than his mother.

Meanwhile, Lormy's stepfather Henry Butler Hardrige Palmer died in November 4, 1922.

(Passenger list of SS Baltic which left Liverpool on September 29, 1923. / Family Search)

(SS Baltic arrived in New York City on October 9, 1923. W.S. Palmer's naturalization record of 1943 / Family Search)

In 1923, Frances Johnstone moved to United States from England with her son William Spencer Palmer.

(Picture Show, Sep 11, 1920)

There wasn't enough insistent demand for Frank Mayo to warrant owner of Universal Pictures, Carl Laemmle's giving him a raise and retaining his service.(*Screenland, Feb 1924) Lormy left Universal. He seems to have signed with Goldwyn around January, 1923. "Out of Universal, Mayo sold his services to Goldwyn for several times the amount he received at Universal City. But he didn't sign as a star; he signed as a supporting player. In other words, Goldwyn considers Frank Mayo several times more valuable to have around the studio than did Universal."(*Screenland, Feb 1924) His career took a downward spiral at least since 1925.

In 1925, one article reported that "Here it is almost the season for brides and not a single film star has announced her engagement. More of them seem to be contemplating divorce. Dagmar Godowsky is getting one from Frank Mayo but it seems to be that the papers have been full of that for years."(*Picture-Play, Jun 1925) The event that cemented Dagmar Godowsky's decision to divorce was her husband's involvement with Anna Luther.

"Anna Luther was a Keystone-Triangle leading lady during 1915-16, who left for Foxfilm comedies and feature films in the 1920s."(*Brent E. Walker, Mack Sennett's Fun Factory, p.591) Dagmar Godowsky named Anna Luther as co-respondent in a suit brought against Frank Mayo in March 1925. Dagmar Godowsky discovered her husband with Anna Luther in his apartment. She claimed that her husband was wearing only a bathrobe.

When Dagmar said, “Now I can get my divorce.”, Frank Mayo reportedly said, “But why bother about that?” Dagmar then said, “You and I were never legally married and so the courts have nothing to say about parting us.”(*The Troy Sunday Budget, Troy, New York, Jul 12, 1925)

Meanwhile, Anna Luther claimed that she had been friends with Frank Mayo since the days when she was still at Keystone Studios and was merely comforting Mayo, who was suffering from a headache. "It looks pretty funny to me, Don't forget that Dagmar herself was the co-respondent in Frank Mayo's first divorce suit," unashamed but witty Anna Luther said.

In the same year, 1925, Frank Mayo applied for $2500 attorney fees to permit Joyce Moore to appear in connection with a suit between them over a property settlement that they had entered into in 1923. Joyce Moore was said to be in England and without means to come to America and appear in the suit over the contract under which Frank Mayo was to pay her $150 a week alimony. Joyce Moore also filed a motion after the interlocutory decree was entered, asking her default be set aside on the ground that she had been unable to come to America and fight the divorce suit. She was said to have been working at the time in Paris, France, as a chorus girl at a salary of $25 a week. During the arguments in the new case it developed that a final decree of divorce had never been entered.(*Photoplay, January 1925) This is what made marriage between Mayo and Godowsky was annulled.

However, I think that only movie fans were unaware that their divorce was not yet final but the parties (Frank Mayo and Joyce Moore) were aware of that. (There were reports in the general press outside of movie magazines that Frank Mayo's marriage was being investigated for bigamy.)

In May 29, 1925, He is granted a final decree of divorce from Joyce Moore.

An article about the preview of the 1927 film Ragtime, directed by Scott Pembroke, reveals that the hostess of the preview was Joyce Moore. The article describes Joyce Moore as “Mrs. Frank Mayo” and “known in stage and screen circles as Joyce Mayo”.(*Moving Picture World, 27 Aug 1927)

Margaret Shorey (The Evening Independent, St. Petersburg, Florida, Dec 7, 1925)

In August 25, 1928, Frank Mayo married vaudeville performer Margaret Louise Shorey. The wedding took place in Lynchburg, Virginia, where the two were filling a stage engagement.(*Picture-Play, Jul 1929)

Meanwhile, Although Lormy's mother Frances returned to the United States after her husband's death, Lormy and his mother lived in separate parallel worlds.

According to United States Census, 1930, Frances Johnstone lives with her son William Spencer in New Jersey while Lormy living with his wife Margaret Shorey in Los Angeles, California.

According to United States Census, 1940, Frances Johnstone lives with her son William Spencer and her sister Kathrine Mary Johnstone in New York City while Lormy living with his wife Margaret Shorey in Los Angeles, California.

(William Spencer Palmer's WW2 draft registration / Family Search)

(Frank Mayo's WW2 draft registration / Family Search)

Most notable records showing these two parallel worlds are World War 2 draft registrations of Lormy and his half brother William Spencer. Lormy wrote the name of (Isa)belle Stoddard Johnstone, wife of late Paul Menifee Johnstone, on the space 'Name and address of person who will always know your address' while William Spencer wrote the name of his mother on that space.

(W.S. Palmer's personal description. World War 2 draft registration in 1940 (aged 34) / Family Search)

(W.S. Palmer's personal description. Naturalization record in 1943 (aged 37) / Family Search)

William Spencer Palmer married an American woman named Elizabeth Sherwood in June 27, 1941, and he became naturalized in the United States in 1943. Their daughter Frances P. Palmer was born in New York in 1945.

Frances Johnstone' sister Kathrine Mary Johnstone died in February 23, 1947.

According to United States Census, 1950, Frances Johnstone lives with her son William Spencer, his wife Elizabeth, and his daughter Frances in New Jersey while Lormy living with his wife Evelyn in Los Angeles, California. Back then, William Spencer Palmer was a proprietor of Jewelry accessory firm.

[alrightholdtight]

One day of my life

I regret that I don't find the motivation to write more often. Because when I come back to my old blog posts I  often surprised that I've written then. Sometimes I feel silly, sometimes I feel proud. Anyways I chose to spend my free time differently: cuddling in the evening with Asa on the small sofa and reading. I made a habit out of that in the cold months. I've finished last month Anne Frank's diary and I found it extremely interesting; one of the best books that I've read this year. I still catch my mind wondering about her life or thinking about some of her letters. A few of them were describing her family's daily life in the Secret Annex, minute by minute. I just thought it's such a funny idea. A few years from now It will be so hard to remember what our daily routine looked like, except obvious things like walking Asa, cooking and doing groceries. It's almost winter holiday period, so Korre has different shifts at work again. This week it was early. 04:00 Alarm goes off for the first time 04:15 After snoozing it for a couple of times we finally had to get out of the bed. It's almost freezing outside, but we often sleep with a window open. Due to my passion for weird experiments, this week we both wore beanies in bed ;) 04:20 While Korre is walking Asa, I'm making breakfast. I soak two pots of porridge every evening: one with just 3 scoops of oats and coconut milk (or water if we're out of milk), another one contains oats, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, ground flax and chia. I add frozen berries to Korre's oats and some preserved cranberries to mine. 04:35 Korre is back from the walk, getting dressed, packing his lunch box and apple and we're having breakfast. Normally we don't get up so early, we eat later and I take my coffee with me to work. But this week we drink it together. 05:00 Korre leaves for work and I  have about 1,5 hours free. I read or I watch some TED talks while sewing and so on. 06:25 Getting ready for my work, running around between 3 floors: bathroom and my make up table is upstairs, our dressing room is in the basement. 06:55 Giving Asa her peanut butter cone, a kiss on the nose and leaving. It is extremely cold in the car, so I cover myself with a bunch of scarves and blankets. 07:05 Tanking. We have a sort of game - we always try to tank for 30.00 EUR. Today I lost by 20 cents. My fingers and hands don't respond quickly enough when it's so cold (+1 in the before the sunrise) 07:50 Work! 16:34 Finally leaving the parking and heading home. Korre suppose to be with Asa already 17:22 I usually take "small roads" through the fields and industrial zone in the end, rather than the highway. I find it more interesting and relaxing. Driving with good music calms me down. This morning and evening it's Type O Negative's first album. I'm reading a biography of Peter Steele at the moment; it goes slow since it's an Ebook and I don't like to read from the screen. But super interesting. I wish I've seen TO- when they still were playing. But yeah. 17:30 Kissing Sassle, kissing Korre, quickly taking off my dusty work clothes ( I was sanding wood today) and rushing to the kitchen. 17:50 Our dinner tonight is: soup, hummus with bread (or corn waffles for me), falafel and brussel’s sprouts with mayo. I ate too much. 18:30 Reading and chilling on the sofa, while Korre is racing. Soup for tomorrow is slowly cooking in the kitchen and I can smell it. 19:27 We just watched a new episode of BoJack Horseman and it's hilarious. I'm going to shower, while Korre is doing another race and then we'll probably start another episode. Or a movie. I've got a few films based on Phillip Dick's novels. 21:19 I got inspired in the shower and so now I'm sitting in front of the big screen and writing. I broke the screen of my laptop in the fall, so now it's connected to a PC screen and wireless keyboard. The only issue is that the keyboard is with the German alphabet.