Francis Day: The Starlet Time Forgot
Frances Victoria Schenk, better known by her stage name Frances Day, was a trailblazing performer whose life encapsulated the glitz and drama of early 20th-century entertainment. Born in East Orange, New Jersey, in 1908, Schenk’s story is one of reinvention, audacity, and ultimate obscurity.
Early Years and Rise to Stardom
Frances Schenk’s journey into the world of performance began remarkably early. By the age of 16, she was dancing in New York City’s speakeasies, venues synonymous with Prohibition-era rebellion and risqué entertainment. These formative years allowed her to hone her charisma and stage presence, making her an irresistible figure in the underground cabaret scene.
It was during one of these performances that she caught the attention of Australian entrepreneur Beaumont Alexander. Impressed by her raw talent and natural allure, Alexander envisioned a brighter stage for the young dancer. He whisked her off to London, a city whose nightlife was hungry for daring new acts. Under Alexander’s guidance, Schenk underwent a transformation that would define her career. Her hair was dyed platinum blonde, and she adopted the glamorous moniker Frances Day.
London’s Cabaret Queen
With Alexander’s keen promotion, Frances Day became the toast of London’s vibrant cabaret scene in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Her act, a combination of beauty, talent, and boldness, captivated audiences. Day’s willingness to push boundaries—both in her bawdy performances and her persona—cemented her reputation as a provocateur. Her beauty and charisma earned her comparisons to Hollywood stars, yet she retained an edge that set her apart.
At just 19 years old, Frances married Alexander, a man nearly twice her age. Their union was as tempestuous as it was brief, with the couple separating after three years. Though their marriage ended, Alexander’s role in shaping her career was undeniable.
A Life of Scandal and High-Profile Affairs
Frances Day’s relationships were as audacious and unconventional as her career. Her charisma, beauty, and magnetic personality drew admirers from all walks of life, ranging from royalty to political elites, and her romantic liaisons became the stuff of legend. More than mere gossip, her relationships reflect the complex interplay between celebrity, power, and independence during the early 20th century.
Beaumont Alexander: Mentor, Husband, and Architect of Her Stardom
Beaumont Alexander was more than just Frances Day’s first husband—he was the architect of her transformation. Their relationship began as a professional partnership, with Alexander recognising Schenk’s untapped potential during her early days in New York’s speakeasies. His decision to reinvent her image—dyeing her hair platinum blonde and introducing her as Frances Day—was a calculated move to create a star who could dazzle London’s cabaret scene.
Their marriage, which began when Frances was just 19 and Alexander nearly twice her age, was marked by both passion and volatility. While Alexander’s promotional acumen helped launch her career, their union was short-lived. The demands of her burgeoning fame and her fiercely independent nature led to their separation after three years. Though they parted ways romantically, Alexander remained a pivotal figure in shaping her early success.
Royal Entanglements: The Princes of Wales and Kent
Frances Day’s allure was impossible to ignore, and among her admirers were two members of the British royal family. Her connection to Edward, the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), was one of the most talked-about aspects of her romantic life. Edward, known for his charm and penchant for glamorous women, was reportedly captivated by Frances’s vivacity and beauty. Their affair, while discreet, added to Day’s mystique and positioned her within the orbit of the British elite.
Prince George, Duke of Kent, Edward’s younger brother, was another of Day’s royal admirers. Known for his own glamorous lifestyle and rumoured bisexuality, George found in Frances a kindred spirit—bold, unconventional, and unapologetically charismatic. Their connection underscored her ability to charm individuals across a wide spectrum of personalities and backgrounds.
A Political Affair: Anthony Eden
Frances Day’s romantic exploits were not confined to royalty. Among her conquests was Anthony Eden, a future Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Eden, whose polished demeanour and rising political career marked him as a figure of respectability, was reportedly drawn to Frances’s vivacious and rebellious spirit. Their affair, though brief, is a testament to her ability to captivate even those from traditionally conservative spheres.
Female Admirers and Relationships
Frances Day’s romantic life also defied the conventions of her era in another significant way—she engaged in relationships with women as openly as she did with men. Her charm was as potent with female admirers as it was with male ones, and she never shied away from pursuing what, or whom, she wanted.
One of the most notable testaments to her allure came from none other than Eleanor Roosevelt. After meeting Frances, the First Lady wrote to her: “I find I am quite unable to resist your extraordinary and tempestuous magnetism.” This correspondence suggests that Frances’s appeal transcended the boundaries of propriety and politics, even captivating one of the most influential women of the 20th century.
Stage and Screen Success
Frances Day’s fame extended beyond the cabaret stage. She starred in several successful stage productions, including Jill Darling, Floodlight, and Black Vanities. Her transition to film was equally successful, with notable appearances in The Girl from Maxim’s and Oh, Daddy!. Her performances were marked by the same daring energy that had defined her cabaret career.
However, as her star rose, so too did her eccentricities. She became notorious for her erratic behaviour, often arriving at performances just moments before they were set to begin and defying management with lengthy encores. While these antics only added to her mystique for a time, they also foreshadowed her later struggles.
Post-War Decline and Reclusion
The end of World War II marked a turning point in Frances Day’s career. The post-war entertainment landscape shifted, and audiences moved on to new stars. Though she continued to perform in films, television, and stage productions, her fame dwindled. By 1965, she disappeared entirely from public life, adopting the name Samta Young Johnson and denying any connection to her former identity.
For nearly two decades, Frances Day lived in obscurity, her glamorous past hidden from those around her. When she died in 1984 at the age of 75, she left behind an astonishing revelation. Her £162,000 estate was bequeathed to Howard McBrien, an unsuspecting office worker who had known her only as the friendly lady upstairs.
