Here we have a photo (above) of the handsome Marcel de Sano (born Marcel Dragusanu in Romania), a film director and
Gaylord resident in 1927. He directed Lionel Barrymore in "The Girl Who Wouldn't Work," in 1925 and in 1930 directed "Peacock Alley," produced by Robert Z. Leonard, another
Gaylord tenant from 1926-27 and prominent filmmaker. Also in 1927, the lovely Arlette Marchal, notable French film actress resided at the
Gaylord, to pursue her career in Hollywood film. A year later, in 1928, the two wedded (pictured together, below) and were together until 1933 (was it the
Gaylord that brought them together!?!).
In 1936, Marcel was engaged to the famed American musical film actress Jeanette MacDonald and managing her career in Europe. Tragically, Marcel seemed to be a tortured soul and committed suicide by vehicle, in Paris, at the young age of 38, in 1936 (photo below of incident).
Such a sad loss, but this is just one of the many drama-filled stories from the lives of those who passed through the
Gaylord.
