Kay Francis
Kay Francis (1905–1968) was an American stage and film actress who became one of Warner Bros.’ leading stars during the 1930s.
Trouble in Paradise: Ernst Lubitsch’s 1932 romantic comedy about two jewel thieves who target a wealthy widow. Francis plays the widow whose wealth and composure complicate the thieves’ scheme.
William Powell: An American actor known for sophisticated comic and romantic roles in classical Hollywood films. Powell partnered with Francis in several films, including One Way Passage and Jewel Robbery.
Broadway theatre: The commercial professional theatre district centered on Broadway in Manhattan, New York City. Francis established herself on Broadway before becoming a Hollywood film star.
Warner Bros.: An American film and entertainment company founded in 1923 by the Warner brothers. The studio made Francis one of its leading stars through a steady run of films.
Hollywood glamour: A polished screen image built through fashion, beauty, lighting, publicity, and controlled performance. Francis’s elegant appearance became a central part of her star identity.
One Way Passage: A 1932 romantic drama about a condemned criminal and a terminally ill woman who fall in love aboard a ship. Francis’s performance opposite William Powell became one of her signature romantic roles.
Ernst Lubitsch: A German-born film director known for sophisticated comedies and the suggestive style called the Lubitsch touch. He directed Francis in Trouble in Paradise, one of her most acclaimed films.
Theatre Guild: A New York theatre organization that produced plays by major American and European dramatists from 1919 to 1996. Francis’s early stage career included work with this influential producing organization.
Hollywood studio system: The vertically integrated system through which major Hollywood studios controlled film production, distribution, and often performers’ contracts. Francis’s career depended on the contracts and production practices of this system.
Women in film: The study and practice of women’s roles, labor, representation, and influence in cinema. Francis’s roles and studio treatment reflect the opportunities and constraints facing actresses.