I have been trying to get my two 500 gig external hard drives organized properly and have come upon some pictures I forgot I had. So, I will apologize now in case I put some up that are already here.
Don't think much was said about Mary Pickford's love life. She was married three times, the second husband being the very well known Douglas Fairbanks which lasted sixteen years. They were considered "Hollywood Royalty" and their every move was reported to their adoring public. In other words, they pretty much started the press nightmares that all stars must endure now.
In 1937 Pickford married Charles "Buddy" Rogers a talented musician and beloved actor. He was dubbed "America's boyfriend" whereas Pickford had been called "America's Sweetheart". Buddy became a band leader which had been his life long dream. Meanwhile, Pickford slowly slipped into alcoholism.
By the time I knew Buddy, she not only didn't venture outside of her house, but she usually remained secluded in her bedroom. I met Buddy on a chartered flight to Puerto Rico. It was a plane reserved for the celebrities that would be playing in the Charity Golf Tournament at the El Conquistador Hotel high above El San Juan. Since we left from Los Angeles Airport at night and wouldn't arrive in Puerto Rico for another 9 hours or so.....a lot of people slept on the plane including my Gibbons. Of course that was after a few drinks, some champagne, a fantastic dinner, and lots of greetings of old friends and new. Besides Gibbons, I only knew two people on the entire plane. After a week of golf, great food, shows, and gambling at the El Conquistador, I sure knew a lot more.
Gibbons and I had stopped at Marty and Frenchy Allen's house after our trip up from Palm Springs. Frenchy gave us a book from their library that they had two copies of and both autographed it nicely to us......that part will be in my book along with the name of the book given us, LOL. Buddy Rogers saw it on the seat beside me and that was the end of our sleep. He and I stayed up all night checking out the book and talking about our lives. We both learned a great deal about each other that first night.
I learned about Mary Pickford. I had only known her name and that she was a silent film star. Buddy told me funny stories about their life and his growing up on a large farm. One such item was that when Buddy and Mary got married, Mary said all the vows....love, honor, cherish, etc. except for one. She put her foot down, and Buddy said, "When Mary put her foot down, the Queen Mary full steam ahead couldn't budge her an inch!" (Buddy LOVED to "invent" sayings that no one else used.....some of them on the spot and quite hilarious.....he would make his own self laugh). Anyway, she assured everyone she was NOT going to say "OBEY". And she didn't, LOL!
They were married 42 years until Mary died in 1979. Buddy was 12 years her junior. Buddy lived into his nineties, and I know he had a ball throughout it all. He was faithful to Mary until the end. Of course that depends on what you mean by the word. He had a younger, very nice, wonderful friend who accompanied him everywhere. She was a good golfer, as was he, and they enjoyed the same things. Mary knew about her, although I never asked her or Buddy if she ever met Mary. The picture I am posting has her in the background just to the right of Buddy. I have other pics of us all, but they won't be taken out of their storage until time to put the book together.
So, that's about all I can put here now. Will update it if I ever get the book out, LOL!
All I can say is she must have been one H__L of a lady to do all the things she did in life before and after her seclusion. Still can't post the big pics as Larry does, so this will have to do. KEITH
This picture is how Buddy looked when I knew him with his lady friend behind and to the right of him. The next is just after they were married, I THINK!
