As I approach unfinished territory with my writing, I will post it as it stands. However, please remember to check back, as I'm nowhere near through and will continue the writing process in this blog. In the meantime, you'll have some good information, and I will do my best to pull all of this together. Going forward, I will write from my point of view, but it will change, and I will insert Aggie into telling the story as I work my way through it.
Robert The Demonical 1954
“I know people who are demoniacal.”
A one-woman sensation
She was one woman, and this was a one-woman show. Whenever I think of Agnes, I think of Queen Elizabeth the First and her well-worded rant, "I will have but one mistress here and NO master." Agnes was a force of nature in the eyes of the average person. Read any newspaper article about her one-woman shows, and it becomes extraordinarily clear. I used “wordsmith” as a descriptor while talking about her because she could circumlocute her way around the world and back again. Words had always been her weapon of choice. She knew that if she could talk to people, she’d have them eating out of her hand in no time flat. Indeed, this tactic didn’t work with people who knew her well, but it was a different story with an audience. When she stepped on the stage, a light went off inside her, and magic came out. When Agnes decided to invent “That Fabulous Redhead,” she released years of magic for all to see. Over the years, the name changed, and the scripts got edited, but the premise was always the same: “Come Closer and I’ll Give You An Earful.”
Ask anybody in theatre what Agnes Moorehead got her on her way with her one-woman show, and they will answer you with “Don Juan In Hell.” People paid to see four of the finest performers with their four stools and their music stands emoting away. They would also pay to see a top star by themselves on a stage doing readings. Laughton was already doing it, and despite the travel required, you could supplement your income very nicely if you selected suitable venues. It was Laughton who told Agnes she ought to do it, and it was Laughton who directed her first efforts. Agnes had a voice that was especially suited to performing this way. It was just radio without the giant microphones or co-stars. It was a perfect tool for her, and she learned how to use it well. She began preparing her one-woman show with the idea of using Robert Gist in August 1953.
Paul Gregory and The Caine Mutiny
In October 1953, the show was named “That Fabulous Redhead.” It's a catchy name, indeed. On December 31st, it was announced that the first performance would be in Chico, California, on the 25th of January, with Robert Gist assisting her. Then, on the 9th of January, the show in Chico was canceled with the promise of rescheduling it. There is no reason given publicly for the cancellation. Then we have radio silence. Nada. Nothing. Zip! On the 18th of January, a newspaper article with this question appeared: “What happened to 'That Fabulous Redhead' tour with Robert Gist Paul Gregory?” Not subtle at all, is it? Finally, on the 25th of February, the Chico performance was rescheduled for April 24th, and there was no mention of Robert Gist. Hmmm, whatever happened must have been some kind of earth-shattering n’est pas? What it was is Robert being naughty and getting caught doing it. Robert already had an heiress side-piece by this point.
Gist was removed from the production because Paul Gregory cast him in The Caine Mutiny. You have to ask yourself why Paul Gregory did it when he knew that Agnes planned to use him in her show. There are two answers to that question. The first is that Gregory insisted he was so “right” for the part that the show would fail without him. The second choice is that Paul sees the damage Gist is doing to Agnes by cheating on her and decides to stop it using a bone he knows Gist can never resist, Broadway. I favor the latter because the one thing that cannot be argued is that Paul Gregory had a great affection for Agnes and was not about to watch Gist dismantle her as Robert turned her into a ladder to boost his notoriety. Will we ever know? Well, I’ll give you the information, and you can decide. Seems fair.
Bye bye Robert
On January 9th, 1954, the first scheduled production of “That Fabulous Redhead” in Chico, California, was postponed until April. Why, you may well ask? I know the exact reason: Robert Marion Gist. Eight days later, on January 17th, her performance in Reno, Nevada, was postponed. On January 20th, Robert Gist joined the cast of The Caine Mutiny.” Robert didn't just join the cast of another show; he was on the down low with a sidepiece. Was Agnes shattered? Yes. But in typical Agnes Moorehead "Oh no you don't" she fiddled around for years before finally divorcing Robert four yeas later.
The Pretense Collapses
On January 29th, the following was announced publicly: Robert would not be touring with Agnes but would remain with “Caine Mutiny,” as Paul Gregory arranged. As I stated, I believe Gregory did this purposefully to protect Agnes and push the breakup. The Caine Mutiny is on Broadway until January 29th. Agnes seems to have accepted for the time being that Robert will continue to perform on Broadway, and she will have to perform without her. Aggie began her schedule in February at Sioux Falls, Idaho. She spends time backstage with students and appears happy about the show and her life. I say it seems because she may not know it yet, but her marriage to Robert is OVER. In the next twenty-four months, Robert would impregnate a wife/girlfriend with his first son, David. David is born in September of 1956 in California, and his father, well, he’s doing whatever he damn well pleases. He pokes at Agnes via the newspaper by telling them he’d be much happier in “The Caine Mutiny” if his bride would join him. Robert knew Agnes would no more join him and knit sweaters backstage while she earned the bread than she would fly without wings. This was an I told you so carefully crafted by Robert to give a grammatical middle finger to his wife.
Honestly, their relationship's roller coaster must have been terrifying at times. This article was published in June 1954. On October 5, 1954, an article in the San Francisco Examiner said Agnes was at Shanghai Lil’s, telling owner Mary Tong that Robert Gist had left her. Mary confided in Agnes when her husband left her previously. So, as you might assume, Shanghai Lil’s is not in Los Angeles but in Chicago. So, did Agnes go to Chicago to commiserate with Mary Tong? Was she already there? The most curious thing is that she spills the beans about the breakup in Robert’s hometown. What is she hoping to accomplish here?
Additionally, eight days later, an article referred to Gist as Aggie’s husband, bemoaning the three-hour time difference between them. Wait what? So, are they on again? The level of subterfuge is comparable to a CIA operation. Truth or lies. Facts or fabrication? Nobody, and I mean nobody, seems to know what the actual hell is going on with these two. By November 20th, the news was spouting the alternative fact that Agnes had filed for divorce from Robert. Nope, it didn’t happen. What did happen was this:
September 22, 1954
The San Francisco Examiner
Herb Caen-Baghdad By The Bay
The great Agnes Moorehead, here directing Don Juan In Hell,” also turns a deaf ear to her estranged husband Bob Geist's pleas for a reconciliation. Further SF angle:
She left him because of his liaison with a local dolly (a store buyer).
It is worth noting that Jacqueline Mickles worked in a fashion management role, so she may have been the “buyer” and was in New York.
June 14, 1954
Winona Daily News
Agnes Moorehead and her husband are adopting six kids. No, you read that correctly: six kids and Robert Gist, a prolific pro creator at large—or soon-to-be prolific pro creator at large, anyway. But by July, my, how the tide has turned!
Without her one-woman man
July 14, 1954
Long Beach Press-Telegram
Agnes separated from Robert Gist only thirty days ago, and they discussed the couple's adoption of six children.
From zero to one hundred in 30 days. Agnes had done the very same thing with Jack Lee as well. The Lees were going to adopt a ridiculous number of children, and the next thing you know, they are in the middle of a divorce with no adopted children. I must say this because it bothers me, but Agnes is the party who had zero live births in both relationships. Could be many reasons for that, but you see, birth control in the `1920s, '30s, and '40s was pretty much a condom, a diaphragm, or the rhythm method. I don't know about you, but I cannot, under any circumstances, believe that Agnes would obtain birth control herself, so what's the deal? In any case, Robert got away without having another child on the list of children he already had or would have.
He’s my son, not yours.
By December, we were already into the phases of he’s my son, not yours, and it’s my money, not yours. ". Allegedly, it took three years to hammer out a settlement agreement. Sean, yet again, was caught in the middle of a supposed tug of war. Robert no more wanted Sean than the man in the moon, but he was not above using him to get at Agnes. He doesn't seem like a role model to me, but honestly, I do wonder whom Sean would have been better off with.
December 10, 1954
Long Beach Independent
reported by Johnson In Hollywood
There may be fireworks over their adopted son if Agnes Moorehead follows her reported plan to divorce Robert Gist. He's in the New York Company of "The Caine Mutiny Court Martial. " Yes, that is how the newspaper reports the title of 'The Caine Mutiny." From 150 mph to zero in nearly four months, the day of the report of adopting six kids.
He didn’t belong to either one of them. Agnes had custody of him, but over the years, people have mentioned that Robert felt like Sean acted as the Little Lord of the house and that Robert did not care for the child. What’s true? Neither of them should have been in that child's life. The bile that was building up behind the divorce/cheating/children out of wedlock was about to burst through, and the person who was scarred the most was Sean. Agnes went on with approximately forty-one shows for her tour and squeezed movies in while doing it, and then in July, the crap hit the fan, and what would turn into a four-year-long knockdown, drag-out battle began. Robert wants and needs money. Agnes doesn’t want to give him any of her property, let alone any money, so they duke it out for four long, arduous years.
1954: On 10 December, Agnes and Robert are divorcing, and fireworks are expected over the property and Sean. This story continues throughout December and into January of next year.
The irony of “The Conqueror”
In May 1954, Agnes signed to appear in“The Conqueror.” She doesn’t know it yet, but this movie will cost her the one thing she values above all: her life. Also, in May, a story made it into print that said Agnes couldn’t redecorate her home or afford to go through any parties because she owed ten thousand dollars in back taxes. I do not doubt that piece of publicity, along with her two divorces, is responsible for her complete press lockdown. Agnes goes forward from this, gradually cocooning herself away from the press and carefully choosing her words when speaking to them. She didn't talk much about herself in any great detail again until the late 1960s. “Too much exposure is bad.”
Annus Horribilius
"September of 1954 was a bit of a mixed bag for Agnes. She had to take some time off from 'Untamed' because she caught the flu but was back on set by the 20th. Earlier that month, she was in Shreveport at the same time 'The Caine Mutiny' was playing, and she mentioned having fond memories of the place despite some trouble with the local show promoter—who some people think might have been Paul Gregory. Then, on September 16th, Agnes did a one-woman show called 'Great Moments in Literature.' Paul Gregory produced it, and Charles Laughton directed it. Agnes was already gearing up for her fourth tour a week later, though the article I read mentioned her last one hadn't succeeded. In November, she signed on for All That Heaven Allows. Oh, and this is a fun detail—a costly mink coat was shipped from New York to her in Beverly Hills in early December. It cost a total of $3,000! Can you imagine?
1954, 4 December, a mink coat shipped from New York to Beverly Hills.
Two hundred and fifty dollar deposit with a remaining balance of $2750, totaling $3000. The coat came from Friedner Furs Inc., 208 West 30th, NYC, from Jules Kasner.
Mother Is Very Angry
1954, 23 December Molly and Grace go again to Chicago to spend the holidays with Reverend Caldwell and his family.
Starting Low 1955
“Something is great when it starts low and rises to the heights. Or starts high and sinks low.”
Starts low and rises
"In 1955, Robert was living in North Hollywood, according to voter records. He was also performing in The Caine Mutiny,' heading to Los Angeles in March after a week in St. Louis. Robert played one of the guys who gets blamed for everything. Then, in April, the Arizona Daily Star hinted that Agnes and Robert were starting to have problems with their property. By May, Agnes was seen out and about with Patrick Waltz. And in October, Robert followed Agnes to San Francisco, hoping they could work things out, but Agnes wasn't interested."
Molly Runs
1955 9 April Molly and Grace leave on an extended vacation starting in Chicago with Rev Caldwell, then going to Ohio and then New York, perhaps the Carolinas
Robert Gets Greedy
1955, 18 April Agnes is going through a bitter property settlement process as a prologue for divorce. This story runs until May of this year. 1955 29 April Article from the Arizona Daily Star intimates that this was when the property dispute began.
Agnes Stumbles But
Paul Gregory pulled a stunt with Agnes by inviting her for “Food and fun” at Romanoff’s along with the cast of “The Caine Mutiny. I think this was Paul’s way of soothing the ruffles he had made with Agnes by casting Gist in The Caine Mutiny in the first place. What makes me think that? Aggie went in, locked and loaded with Patrick Waltz, and demonstrated she was not at home by the phone pining for Robert. I think it was more her breathing down Robert’s neck rather than the reverse indicated below:
The Desert Sun
November 22, 1955
Mike Connelly
“Next night at Paul Gregory’s “Caine” brawl at Romanoff’s, Patrick Waltz waltzed the hell out of Lady Agatha, who seemed not at all perturbed about the fact that her ex-spouse Bob Gist was breathing down her neck at the following table.
She Moves Forward
Agnes was a whirlwind of activity! In 1955, she jetted around constantly for her show, racking up 23,000 miles since the previous September. She even took on a project with Robinson Jeffers called “The Cretan Woman,” though it seems like that one fell by the wayside.
She wasn't just about work, though. Agnes made time for people. She went to a military officer's going-away party (Lt. Conrad Binyon, who used to be on “Mayor of the Town” with her and Lionel Barrymore—small world!). She even got an honorary membership in their squadron. How cool is that? Then there was the farewell bash for Dick Powell and June Alyson.
Agnes was still making movies and doing TV. She signed on for “The Left Hand of God” with Humphrey Bogart, did a poetry recording, and showed up at the L.A. opening of “The Caine Mutiny.” She also flexed her vocal cords in a TV production of “Roberta” and “The Merry Widow.” Plus, she agreed to co-star with Paul Kelley in “The Amazing Miss Withers.”
She even squeezed in some hosting duties. Agnes co-hosted an awards thingy with Claire Trevor. For something completely different, she helped auction off furniture at Howard's Auction Gallery with Judy Canova. She really did it all!
But directing was also on her mind. Agnes was set to direct Don Juan in Hell,” but then Charles Laughton stepped in, and she rejoined the cast. Then, things got a little messy with Bob Gist, who tried to patch things up, but Agnes was done.
She wrapped up the year with more work. Agnes signed on for “The Revolt of Mamie Stover” and “Pardners” and even gave a bible reading at a Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce holiday luncheon.
It's amazing how she managed to fit everything in!
September 22, 1955
The San Francisco Examiner
Herb Caen-Baghdad By The Bay
The great Agnes Moorehead here directing Don Juan In Hell” is also turning a deaf ear to the pleas of her estranged husband Bob Geist, for a reconciliation. Further SF angle:
She left him on account of his liaison with a local dolly (a store buyer). It is worth noting that Jacqueline Mickles worked in a fashion management role, so she may have been the “buyer.”
On November 29, 1955, Agnes Moorehead said the man with her at “The Captains Table” was Mr. Kadish, but she refused to give his first name.
What Suits Me 1956
“I think backgrounds are important. We all should know what suits us best for what we are or the role we want to play and furnish our homes accordingly.” 1956
Five Days In Lone Palm
1955 29 April Article from the Arizona Daily Star intimates that this was when the property dispute began.
1956 18 February Jack Lee marries Joanna Johnson
Robert The Con
The text describes the events surrounding Agnes Moorehead's involvement with the Mill Creek Theatre. In a 19 March 1956 article about "The Opposite Sex," Agnes's character is mentioned. On 6 April 1956, Robert created Mill Creek Theatre and named Agnes his wife to establish credibility while making himself treasurer. On 19 April 1956, incorporation papers for Mill Creek Theatre were filed in Illinois. On 8 May 1956, Robert stated that Agnes had lined up performers for the theater.
1956 19 March Article about “The Opposite Sex” references Agnes’ character
and says, “So Agnes Moorehead, who pays no heed to husband or divorces, is doing it.”
On 6 April 1956, Robert created Mill Creek Theatre and named Agnes his wife for credibility. He makes himself treasurer.
1956: 19 April: Incorporation papers for Mill Creek Theatre were filed in Illinois. 1956: 8 May: Robert says Agnes has lined up performers for Mill Creek Theatre in Illinois.
Jack’s first child
I do not doubt that O.L. Colon got out of bed and went to work on November 19, 1955, at the office of the County Clerk Harold J. Ostley in Los Angeles without ever knowing that a license for marriage issued that day would become the subject of in-depth interpretation some 58 years later. You see, the two people who applied for a permit to marry that day were Jack Griffith Lee and Joanna Jayne Johnson. To the average reader, it is unimpressive. The names are typical; however, at least one of those two had been embroiled in a contentious divorce with an actress named Agnes Moorehead four years earlier. That is where my interest in the unassuming piece of paper began. Until I read it a few months ago, I had no idea that Jack Lee had ever remarried. Then, last night at about 3 am, I sat bolt upright in bed after a rather peculiar dream and said aloud, "What if they had children?" I got up this morning and sat at my computer to search with my coffee in hand. A little while later, I found myself sitting in front of my computer with my mouth hanging open, saying, "Oh my GAWD" repeatedly. Not only did I find a child, but his name was Jack G Lee Jr.
Jack G Lee Jr. was born on May 4th, 1956. What makes that date so damn special is that Jack Lee and Joanna Johnson had just actually been married on February 18, 1956. Do the math, folks. Joanna was over seven months pregnant when she married Jack Lee. Joanna was pregnant when they got the marriage license in November, and why it took them that long to get married is beyond me. But there you have it, Jack G. Lee Jr. He was the first addition to the Lee family. The second addition to the Lee clan was Susan L Lee. Susan was born on August 3, 1958, in Los Angeles. Susan was named after Jack's mother, Susan Ping Lee. So we are up to two children so far. The third addition was George M Lee, born less than a year after Susan's birth. George, named for Joanna's father, was born on the 26th of July 1959 in Los Angeles. Dad, Mom, and the three little Lees were all on their own until 1963, when the fourth and final Lee joined the family. Joanna Virginia Lee was born on the 30th of December 1963. So Jack's legacy was assured with his four children with Joanna.
General Goings On
It's incredible how much Agnes packed into her life! In 1956 alone, she:
Read "Salutation to the Dawn" at the Hollywood Bowl's Easter Sunrise Service.
Partied at the Crystal Room after the Oscars with the Marty crew (they won big that year!).
Taught summer classes at USC.
Juggled acting lessons for Jack Benny's daughter and starlet Pat Sheehan while filming "Raintree County."
Sent out those vast, fancy mistletoe balls for Christmas (a seven-year tradition!).
Signed on for "The Rivalry" with Paul Gregory.
Did a TV show called "Climax."
Gave a free reading at Bovard Auditorium.
Starred in the TV movie "You Can't Escape Forever."
Got cast as Queen Elizabeth I.
Taught advanced acting classes.
And that's not even everything! She was a whirlwind of activity, always on the go.
Glamour in all the right places
The year 1956 was a busy one for Agnes! In May, she had a blast pretending to be Sarah Bernhardt for the opening of Tony Duquette's new studio. Then, in September, she talked about what makes someone glamorous. She thinks it's all about color! "There's more power in color than people realize," she said.
In December, Agnes went to a premiere with Paul Gregory. She looked stunning in a green satin dress. Earlier that year, in April, she was spotted at Villa Capri with John Gray, and everyone wondered if they were an item.
Many years ago, a newspaper ran a short snippet that Agnes and Jack would adopt four children. The same article contended that Jack was readying the farm for their soon-to-be brood. I find it highly odd that when Jack did, in the end, have children, he had four children. While doing this research, I first wondered if this might have been why Agnes told people that Jack was dead. He managed to have the very thing he had likely wanted all along: a family. Perhaps that was part of the dysfunction in their marriage, and she resented him for it.
That Jack's marriage to Agnes was an unpleasant, abusive 19 years is not an issue. Jack drank. Jack was violent. Agnes earned the money and suffered for an extended period at Jack's hands. What I find confusing is that Jack's marriage to Joanna lasted from 1956 until his death and produced, without any apparent difficulty, four children. I think it bears asking why Jack and Agnes never had children. Jack was capable of producing offspring. He was 16 years older than Joanna, yet they had four children within seven years of marriage. Of course, we'll never know why Jack and Agnes never had children since neither was talking, but it adds even more mystery to their already peculiar relationship.
In the end, Jack had a family, and Agnes had her career. Since Jack died when his youngest daughter was 11 years old, he never saw her grow up, but he did manage to leave a genetic legacy.
Ring Around The Marriage
April 22, 1956, Nevada State Journal byline Walter Winchell
They say Agnes Moorehead and the husband she divorced (a few months ago) may give it another whirl.
Nope, nope, definitely nope. Robert did give marriage a whirl again three more times... but that is another volume unto itself.
Not On Your Life
The fact that Aggie knew an excessive amount of gay or bisexual men is not anything new. In this letter, though, there is a hint of Aggie’s secret life. Clearly, she got on well with the gentlemen, and clearly, they loved her, but I have found that, generally speaking, folks who are gay or bisexual have something we call “Gaydar.” You feel your trib,e as it were. When a man with a command of language displayed in the letter below calls you secretive and a mystery-seeking wanton, he knows what he is saying. Behold the letter below:
Grosse Liebe to you–you secretive, non-writing, mystery-seeking wanton. How are you? I how I would like to be spending Christmas with you. But do I get an invitation? Not on your life!
A friend of mine ( a magazine editor & film critic named Gavin Lambert; have I ever mentioned him to you?) has written a very good script and raised the money to make the film in Marrakesh in January. We debated for days whether we should ask you to come over and finally decided he could never raise the millions of dollars a worthless commercial harpie like you would clamor for. Anyway, he’s finally said that if this film is a success, he’ll write his next with a great whacking lead in it for you; on the other hand, he may do Pirandello's “Six Characters In Search of An Author”-you’d be terrific in that too. Why aren’t you here?
I miss you and send you more love than is good for you. I’ve become a film critic as a sideline and spit out spite and venom for glossy high-brow magazines.
Derek
The letter is undated, and there is no envelope, but boy, howdy, did she hang with the drama queens! The gentleman mentioned that Gavin Lambert was indeed a magazine editor, and from 1949 to 1956, he edited the journal Sight and Sound. He was also a film critic for The Sunday Times and The Guardian in England. He moved to Hollywood in 1955, where he worked for his lover, Nicholas Ray. He co-wrote the script for Ray’s film “Bitter Victory” in 1957. Derek may have been the film critic Derek Malcolm. Given the tone of the language, I would guess that Derek may have been bisexual. He did not marry until 1994 at the age of 62. Malcolm died in 2023. This letter was likely written before or possibly after “Bitter Victory.”
Renee Godfrey
October 1, 1956
Dear Aggie,
Last night, I came across these photographs taken during “The Woman In White” and thought you would like them.
Hope we see you soon.
Love
Renee
Renee Godfrey was an actress and a singer. Renee was a stunning woman. Born Renee Hal, she started her career in modeling as a child. In 1938, Renne left America for England, where she met screenwriter Peter Godfrey, twenty years her senior. In 1941, they married. She came to RKO in 1940, just about the same time as Aggie, and clearly, they either knew each other from radio, Renee did radio work, or from working at RKO. Peter did not marry until he was 42, and they had no children. Is he a beard? It could be, but as I always say, the only people who know about that are dead.
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