Frances Williams was one of Broadway's most popular singers
She was born Frances Maude Jellinek on November 3, 1901 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her father, Wilfred Jellinek, was a cigar maker. When she was a teenager she left home and joined an acrobatic troupe. Frances also performed in vaudeville. In 1924 she made her Broadway debut in Innocent Eyes. She appeared in numerous shows including The Cradle Song, The Lady From Alfaqueque, and The Coconuts with the Marx Brothers. The statuesque blonde quickly became one of Broadway's most popular singers. While performing in the George White Scandals she introduced the dance the Charleston. Frances started having an affair Alan R. Jones, a married piano player. His wife sued her for $100,000 for alienation of affection. On April 12, 1931 she married musician Lester Clark. Unfortunately he became abusive and she divorced him a year later.