Buster Keaton and Natalie Talmadge
Those of you who follow silent film stars will know that Natalie Talmadge and Buster Keaton were married for several years and had two sons. There is a bit of mystery and controversy over their relationship and their divorce. Natalie is from a famous film family, and they apparently had a lot of influence over her and her relationship with Buster.
Anyway, I have a theory on Natalie's divorce from Buster. Buster and Natalie were married in 1921. Their first son was born in 1923 and their second son was born in February 1924. After the birth of the second son, Natalie's two famous movie star sisters, Norma and Constance Talmadge, along with their mom Peg, told Nat that unless she wanted to be pregnant every year she and Buster needed to sleep in separate beds. So Nat told Buster that it would be better if he slept in another bedroom. Then, Mother Peg told Buster that it would be better if he would have discreet affairs instead of having sex with his wife. I believe Buster and Natalie were very much in love even with no sex in their marriage. So, Buster had a series of affairs all through the 1920's.
I think Natalie started making her plans in 1930. That year, the Keatons got a bonus from M-G-M of $10,000 and a trip to Europe. Buster and Natalie's marriage was getting shakey so Louis B. Mayer sent the Keatons to Europe on the honeymoon that they never had when they first got married.
The first thing was an incident in Buster Keaton's dressing rooms on the Metro lot. The story has different versions, but the same outcome. An unknown actress either had a bet, or just wanted money, but she claimed she was raped by Buster. She wanted $10,000. Metro was going to pay her blackmail, but she wanted the check to come from Buster's personal account. Why would it matter what account the check was from?
Then, in 1932, a week after Buster spent $25,000 on a yacht, Buster was passed out on the yacht next to a stranger. Strangely enough, Natalie and her sister Constance showed up with a detective and a photographer. Constance was also really good friends with the Los Angeles County district attorney. So, although Buster had the okay to have discreet affairs, Nat was setting the stage so she could come out ahead in a divorce.
How did Natalie know that Buster would be on the boat with a girl? Was Natalie was paying these woman to be with Buster to set him up? As everyone knows, Buster did not fight the divorce and lost everything to Natalie. She even changed their sons' last name to Talmadge.
Anyway, I have a theory on Natalie's divorce from Buster. Buster and Natalie were married in 1921. Their first son was born in 1923 and their second son was born in February 1924. After the birth of the second son, Natalie's two famous movie star sisters, Norma and Constance Talmadge, along with their mom Peg, told Nat that unless she wanted to be pregnant every year she and Buster needed to sleep in separate beds. So Nat told Buster that it would be better if he slept in another bedroom. Then, Mother Peg told Buster that it would be better if he would have discreet affairs instead of having sex with his wife. I believe Buster and Natalie were very much in love even with no sex in their marriage. So, Buster had a series of affairs all through the 1920's.
I think Natalie started making her plans in 1930. That year, the Keatons got a bonus from M-G-M of $10,000 and a trip to Europe. Buster and Natalie's marriage was getting shakey so Louis B. Mayer sent the Keatons to Europe on the honeymoon that they never had when they first got married.
The first thing was an incident in Buster Keaton's dressing rooms on the Metro lot. The story has different versions, but the same outcome. An unknown actress either had a bet, or just wanted money, but she claimed she was raped by Buster. She wanted $10,000. Metro was going to pay her blackmail, but she wanted the check to come from Buster's personal account. Why would it matter what account the check was from?
Then, in 1932, a week after Buster spent $25,000 on a yacht, Buster was passed out on the yacht next to a stranger. Strangely enough, Natalie and her sister Constance showed up with a detective and a photographer. Constance was also really good friends with the Los Angeles County district attorney. So, although Buster had the okay to have discreet affairs, Nat was setting the stage so she could come out ahead in a divorce.
How did Natalie know that Buster would be on the boat with a girl? Was Natalie was paying these woman to be with Buster to set him up? As everyone knows, Buster did not fight the divorce and lost everything to Natalie. She even changed their sons' last name to Talmadge.
posted by Tom Leek | 12:46 AM
1 Comments:
Interesting theory! Quite possibly correct. Ironically, my research indicates Buster truly loved Natalie. Thanks for sharing.
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