Frances Farmer, Home Again, Plans Comeback In Pictures

By Robert A. Barr

Looking as though she just had stepped from a stage set, comely, blond Frances Farmer, 30-year-old former stage and screen star, was back at her West Seattle home today, laughing and joking and planning a "comeback" in the profession from which she departed dramatically nearly two years ago.

In the first interview granted since a series of events led to a nervous breakdown and sent her to the Western State Hospital at Steilacoom in March, Miss Farmer, sun-tanned and gay, announced today that she plans ultimately to return to California and "get back to work."

Her mother, Lillian V. Farmer, 2636 47^th Ave. S.W., said, however, that Frances first will spend about two months with an aunt, Mrs. Edith Castaing, who lives near Reno, Nev.

Casual But Earnest

Showing none of the tempestuousness that had marked her exit from her profession, the Seattle "screen Cinderella" tilted her blond head so that her swirling coiffure glinted brilliantly as it caught the morning sunlight streaming through a living-room window at her home; she smiled charmingly and spoke casually, yet earnestly.

"It’s all been like a terrible dream and it’s wonderful to be home again," she said. "One thing is certain, I’m going back to work as soon as I can… It has been a long time since I’ve held a script in my hands and I’m wondering what it will be like again."

Miss Farmer said she had "no definite plans… I don’t know just exactly what I’ll do… It all depends on what is offered me and what kind of script is put in my hands."

"If I like the script it won’t make much difference which it is, stage or screen."

Didn’t Enjoy Hospital

The actress smiled and spoke in matter-of-fact tones about her experiences at the hospital, declaring that while she was "granted every consideration," she "didn’t enjoy the confinement, the close quarters and lack of privacy."

Miss Farmer shows no traces of her recent illness and her former gaunt appearance had vanished.

"They fed me well, anyway," she said, laughing. "It was good food, and I can’t resist good food."

Her mother beamed fondly at Frances.

"She’s going to have a rest with my sister in Nevada before she goes back to work," Mrs. Farmer said. "She’s really been well for a month, but I don’t want her to try to do too much at first."

Mrs. Farmer said she and her daughter expect to leave for Reno "sometime next week, depending on when we can get train reservations."

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