The Fatty Arbuckle case (1962)

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all involved that there was little likelihood of the public doing such clamoring. When the revised edict was released, thousands of people felt sorry for Arbuckle and thousands more said so publicly. But they were overwhelmed by those intent on banning him from pictures. The Arbuckle pictures were never released. They remained in studio vaults. Although there was no morals clause in Arbuckle's contract, the studio had a two-day meeting with Arbuckle and his staff to discuss relief . They recommended a quiet cancellation of the $3,000-a-week contract, with a cash settlement to Arbuckle. The comic was in no position to make a fight of it, nor did he want to. If he resisted the recommendation, a law suit would follow that would dig up all of the old garbage again. It was a bitter experience for Arbuckle. He went to New York for a while. Echoes of the critical headlines pursued him. Then he got his first lift in months. At a party one night he met a black-haired, brown-eyed beauty named Doris Deene. She was literate and a great believer in faith. Though she was attractive physically, and Arbuckle could never resist a lovely lady, she charmed him with words that made sense. "I think you are a great talent," she told him. "You could be successful in whatever creative job you undertake. Why are you giving up? You must fight." "But," argued Arbuckle, "my name is mud. They want no part of me. The public wants me washed up." Doris didn't believe it. "Fight," she said. "Change your name, your looks. Start fresh. You can do it." They had a full evening of discussion. Arbuckle took her out the next night and the next. An idea was starting to take form. Arbuckle always wanted to be a director. Actually, he believed he had more or less directed some of his own shorts. Why couldn't he change his name and get a job as a director? 144