I am exploring Mabel’s trip to Europe, and am starting with her plans, which is where most vacation trips begin. I will be writing this in sections, well it’s easier that way both to write and to read.
“Suzanna” was finally finished; the reporters that circled Mabel Normand’s door hoping to pick up any crumbs that they might find about the on going saga of the mysterious death of William Desmond Taylor had not 
gone away. The only hope for Mabel to get some rest was to get away from Hollywood. She had hoped to go to Europe someday and here the day had come.
Mack Sennett had paid her a rather pretty penny to persuade her to make “Molly O’”. The newspapers reported it was a million dollars, even if that was a 
bit of a sham. “Molly O’” made her rich by any standard.
By April of 1922, “Suzanna” looked like another big money maker. One of the odd things about the Taylor murder is it didn’t stop people wanting to see Mabel on screen, it may well be that it made her an even more popular draw, perhaps a guilty pleasure (well, she wasn’t guilty of anything but a pleasure none the less). She had the time, and perhaps the questioning reporters peppering her about Taylor’s death, would find something else to write about, if she went away for awhile. She had a pocket full on money and everyone who was anyone had gone to Europe and returned with wonderful stories telling her she just had to go. She was told Paris was the best place to shop for frocks and she did like to shop and she did like frocks.
Mabel saw all the movies and plays that came to Los Angeles. When she was in New York, she attended the exciting shows that only Broadway had to offer and Europe had so much more; nightclubs for drinking, casinos for gambling, (it was legal…!) theatres for entertainment, restaurants for eating and dancing, Mabel loved to dance in the arms of gorgeous charming men and Europe was just full of gorgeous charming men willing to partner with our Mabel.
This would be her first trip. She had received invitations, from 
people that she had met when they had come to the US, some were connected with the movies or entrainment industry and others were just people that interested her. While she was at the Goldwyn Studio in Culver City in 1920, she had entertained, King Albert of Belgium. When Prince Ibraham of Egypt came to Hollywood, he and Mabel became friends.
Her status as a “Movie Queen” would open doors but she decided that it would be a smart move to have a personal press agent go ahead and smooth the path for her. Perry Charles did this type of thing and he was such a dear friend. She had always relayed on the studios to handle the messy little details that needed to be arranged. For a traveling companion no one was better suited that Juliette Courtell, a friend from the time she had worked on the films made in 1915 in the Oakland/San Francisco area. Julie was fluid in French and had been in Europe during the War but this was to be Mabel’s first time abroad.
She was off to the passport office; she sent telegrams to friends, packed her bags and she booked her passage. And she didn’t forget her golf clubs and swimsuit; a real vacation!
1922 04 14 Telegram to Perry M. Charles
“Perry dear, wire me collect, your plans. Received wire this morning. Wonderful if you are in England when I arrive to meet me. Without you I'll be lost. Love and thanks to the Tates. Is Harry paying your passage? Wire details. If you need money wire me. When do you sail? Might be able to go along. Want you to work for me. Anything you say goes about salary. Might be better your going ahead to fix things up, then return to America with me, London, Paris, Berlin, etc. Love. Mabel,”
1922 05 09 Telegram to Perry M. Charles
“Perry Dear--Can I phone you anywhere and at what time Wednesday? Send me straight wire. Also insist upon paying for phone. You are beloved by me. Telephone me Wilshire 7226. Love, Perry, always.”
May 21, 1922
OAKLAND TRIBUNE
OAKLAND GIRL TO JOIN STAR’S TOUR
Mabel Normand Invites Miss Juliette Courtell as Guest On Europe Jaunt.
Transcribed by
Marilyn Slater
Looking for Mabel
October 1, 2009
Following in the footsteps of Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, Mabel Normand, beautiful screen star, leaves for Europe next week. She takes with her as her sole guide, philosopher and friend, an Oakland girl. Miss Juliette Courtell, a membership officer of the Oakland chamber of commerce.
The invitation came as a complete surprise to Miss Courtell, who showed her friends the message she had just received from Miss Normand, inviting her to “take a little trip with me to Europe.” The telegram added, “Just you and I.” Miss Courtell subsequently called the actress on the long distance telephone, and together they mapped out the route they will take across the continent of Europe and through the British Isles. In England they will be the guests of Lord Northcliffe. Miss Courtell said.
Miss Courtell has been in Europe before. Of French parentage, she served during the war in the signal Corps of the U.S. army for two years as an interpreter, Miss Courtell said that she had known Mabel Normand for the past ten years, in the days when the actress was known to her friends as “little Miss Keystone,” from her connection with the old Keystone company.
“We will just have a good time together,” Miss Courtell said. “Mabel and I like horseback riding, swimming and traveling and we get on fine together. Like sisters and better.”
(This article was referred to me by my dear friend, William M. Drew)
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| Mabel is getting ready to visit the Old World….but were they ready for her? |
