In 1921, illegal liquor, wild parties, sex, adultery and drugs, all funded by outrageous salaries, were the norm in Hollywood. This made many people in middle America very angry and anxious to end this “den of inequity” as many ordinary folks were emulating the behavior of the stars. The opportunity arose to clean up Hollywood when an event happened at a Labor Day party in San Francisco. Silent film star Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle was the second most popular personality in Hollywood, just behind Charlie Chaplin. When Virginia Rappe became sick at the party and died a few days later, San Francisco District Attorney Matthew Brady saw his opportunity to make this large, jolly comedian into a scapegoat and clean up Hollywood once and for all! It became three real life manslaughter trials with enough twists and turns, along with many devious side plots, to give Lt. Columbo fits! In this presentation, you will learn of Roscoe’s “dirt poor” childhood, his rise to fame, some of the practical jokes he played with good friend Buster Keaton, the three trials that he experienced, his fall from popular grace, his bankruptcy and his very sad end just as his life and career were on the rise again. Roscoe became the first cancel culture victim in the Untied States! At the conclusion of the presentation, a silent short and a rare Arbuckle sound short will be screened. Period music, autographs, memorabilia. period newspapers and a book display are included.

Registration is required. Molloy University MILL 2 Program - Molloy Institute for Lifelong Learning - Rockville Centre, NY - 1:30 PM. For registration information, please contact the Office of Continuing Education and Professional Studies at

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

1000 Hempstead Avenue Rockville Centre, New York 11571-5002

• 516.323.3550 or email at conted@molloy.edu