VIDEO: Finally, a West Seattle tribute to Frances Farmer

As Easy Street Records proprietor Matt Vaughan told a gathering in his café this morning, it’s just “ridiculous” that West Seattle has been without a permanent tribute to, and bearing the name of, Frances Farmer, the brilliant and beautiful WSHS graduate who became famous and infamous in Hollywood decades ago. He’s finally fixed that omission with this:

He dedicated that star just inside the Easy Street Café entrance this morning, also recalling Frances Farmer as not just an actress but also as an outspoken woman in a time when females were not supposed to speak out.

(Update: Here’s video of Vaughan’s remarks.)

The star, Vaughan said, was supposed to be in the sidewalk outside the shop, but that didn’t work out due to “politics,” so its place of honor is on private property inside his business. (Ms. Farmer died of cancer in 1970, just 56 years old, and is buried in Indiana.)

Mike April 22, 2016 (1:00 pm)

Nice. A classy piece of work.

Curtis April 22, 2016 (1:40 pm)

Very Cool!

So…………. Will Dyan Cannon be here for her star? And who else? Eddie Vedder? Chris Ballew? I hope this is the start of something. (I might suggest that the New Admiral might have a spot for such a walk of fame if Easy Street can’t fit all the stars inside.

HelperMonkey April 22, 2016 (2:35 pm)

Curtis, that is the coolest idea ever!
RayWest April 22, 2016 (7:13 pm)

And don’t forget Gypsy Rose Lee!

Tamea Duckworth April 22, 2016 (2:09 pm)

Great story, too bad her life ended the way it did, but she really was living life by her own terms!

newnative April 22, 2016 (2:50 pm)

There was a very nice painting of her on the wall of Easy Street for a while.

Shining star April 22, 2016 (3:18 pm)

I believe Shadowland is named in reference to her as well.

WSB April 22, 2016 (3:47 pm)

Hi, SS. A couple people pointed that out, but it’s not an overt “Frances Farmer Memorial Restaurant” type of tribute. If you listen to Matt Vaughan, what he’s saying, and I’m afraid I didn’t convey it well, is that West Seattle hasn’t had a permanent, fixed memorial-type tribute bearing her name. And that’s what this star is. – TR

SuperAwesome April 22, 2016 (4:32 pm)

What a nice tribute. Well done, Matt!

Cranky Westie April 22, 2016 (5:48 pm)

Overdue- good show Mr. Vaughn.

JayDee April 22, 2016 (6:15 pm)

Kudos to Mr. Vaughn. Thanks.

arbran April 22, 2016 (6:44 pm)

What a beautiful and inspiring tribute. Well done!

RayWest April 22, 2016 (7:14 pm)

A wonderful gesture, Mr. Vaughn.

ACG April 22, 2016 (11:15 pm)

Thanks for the link to the article on historylink, WSB. Fascinating to read her story, as I was unfamiliar with the details. Really nice of Easy Street to create a very classy tribute.

Alkisalish April 22, 2016 (11:33 pm)

Yeah, way to go West Seattle High School. The small town West Seattlelites of Frances’ day seem to still hold sway. My mom, who was on the school debate team with her, used to see her stroll Alki Beach. She was a stunner who’s presence would, in the 1600’s rally the vile jealous to subject her to the waterboard floating witch test.

William Arnolds Bio is excellent.

There is also a small engraved brick, kudos to Julie Bernhard, for both Frances and Dyan Cannon, at the Statue of Liberty plaza. Find it by looking towards Alki point from the base of the statue. Its in the walkway within the gap between the curved benches.

As to you, Matt Vaughan, you loose cannon rebel rouser. I will express my outrage by storming into your store Saturday and buying some music. That’s what I think of you!

Will Reynolds

Alan April 23, 2016 (12:36 am)

The film Frances is one of my favorites. Jessica Lange received a nomination for Best Actress but was up against Meryl Streep for Sophie’s Choice. Lange did receive Best Supporting Actress for Tootsie that year, which many felt was a consolation prize. Some of the film was shot in West Seattle, including on Andover, between Delridge and 22nd. The now empty house at 3842 22nd Ave SW was used as her home for the film, though her real home was just south of Lafayette Elementary.

Dale April 23, 2016 (8:47 am)

I believe Kurt Cobain’s daughter Frances Bean Cobain is named after her.

Sandy DuBuque April 23, 2016 (11:37 am)

The West Seattle High School Alumni Association has honored both Frances Farmer & Dyan Cannon, along with roughly 105 other notable graduates, by inducting them into our Hall of Fame. They have a permanent place on our Wall of Fame inside West Seattle High School as well as on our website under the Hall of Fame Video tab.

Her mother was a real pip April 23, 2016 (2:13 pm)

The house that was owned by Frances’ parents is in the middle of the block, east side of 47th between Lander and Admiral Way. Roof is covered with blue tarps.

Alan April 23, 2016 (10:09 pm)

Yes, that is it! I hadn’t seen it in at least 10 years and thought I remembered clearly that it was on 44th, south of Lafayette. When I couldn’t find it, I thought it had been torn down and/or remodeled. Her mother was a charmer.