Video: Artist Believes Marion Davies' Spirit Resides In His Hollywood Studio

Artist Charles Bragg is convinced that starlit Marion Davies' spirit resides in his Hollywood home and studio.

Davies is best remembered for her relationship with newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst. Even during her career, her high-profile social life often obscured her professional career. In her posthumously published memoirs, Davies claimed she wasn't an actress, knew nothing about politics, and described herself as a "silly, giggly idiot," but this is in keeping with her modest, self-deprecating personality.

William Randolph Hearst and Davies lived as a couple for decades but were never married, as Hearst's wife refused to get a divorce. At one point, he reportedly came close to marrying Davies, but decided his wife's settlement demands were too high. Hearst was incredibly jealous and possessive of her, even though he was married throughout their relationship.

Davies was rumored to be the inspiration for the Susan Alexander character portrayed in Orson Welles' Citizen Kane, which was based loosely on Hearst's life. This portrayal has led to various portrayals of Davies as a talentless opportunist, the most recent of which was Melanie Griffith's in HBO's RKO 281.

Welles himself, as stated in his foreword to Davies autobiography The Times We Had, said he deeply regretted that so many assumed Susan Alexander was a carbon copy of Davies, and that the real Davies was a great actress and a wonderful woman. He also claimed that the Susan Alexander character owed as much to the Chicago tycoon Samuel Insull's wife, for whom he built an opera house.

Davies was also portrayed by Virginia Madsen in the telefilm The Hearst and Davies Affair (1985) with Robert Mitchum as Hearst, and Heather McNair in Chaplin (1992). Madsen later became a Davies fan and said that she felt she had inadvertently portrayed her as a stereotype, rather than as a real person.

Many film historians and fans resent the negative reputation Kane garnered her and have worked to restore her image in the public eye. Their efforts included a documentary film Captured on Film: The True Story of Marion Davies (2001), which premiered on Turner Classic Movies and featured appearances by friends and costars.

Kirsten Dunst portrayed Marion Davies in the 2001 movie The Cat's Meow.

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/
http://www.decofilms.com/mariondavies/
http://www.goldensilents.com/

Artist Believes Marion Davies' Spirit Resides In His Hollywood Studio
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