Fanchon

Biography

Fanchon was part of the brother and sister team Fanchon and Marco, who started off as Vaudeville performers and eventually started producing their own shows. They became the primary producers of movie prologues called "The Ideas", and lavish stage revues in the late 20's early 30's. At one point they had over 50 shows a year touring the country in the larger movie houses. They also ran a major talent and theatrical school in Hollywood. Past students and performers working with Fanchon and Marco included: Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Shirley Temple, Ginger Rogers, Dorothy Lamour, Cyd Charisse, Betty Grable, Al Jolson, Will Rogers, May West, and many others. Directors and artistic staff that started with Fanchon and Marco included Busby Berkley, Gay Foster, Carlos Ramero, and fashion designers Helen Rose, and Bonnie Cashin. Fanchon was also the first female film producer for a major studio. In addition to producing, she had worked with MGM, Republic, and Paramount providing choreography and musical dance supervision. Her famous dance troop the Fanchonettees, the west coast predecessor to the Rockettes, were also featured in several films. Fanchon and Marco became part of Fox West Coast Theaters and managed the San Fransisco Orpheum and the Los Angeles Paramount and Hollywood Paramount (now the El Capitan) theaters.