Marion D. March

Frances Marion, born Marion Benson Owens, was a highly successful American screenwriter, journalist, and author who achieved significant recognition in the early 20th century. She began her career in film, working as a writer for influential figures like Lois Weber and Mary Pickford, and quickly established herself as a prolific talent. Marion wrote over 325 scripts throughout her career, earning her the distinction of being one of the most renowned female screenwriters of her time. She was also the first writer to win two Academy Awards, securing them for Writing in 1931 and Best Story in 1932.

Beyond her screenwriting achievements, Marion also worked as a journalist and served as a combat correspondent during World War I. Her personal life was marked by four marriages and she had two sons. After years of success in Hollywood and a contract with MGM, she retired from the film industry in 1946 to focus on writing novels and stage plays. She published a memoir, 'Off With Their Heads: A Serio-Comic Tale of Hollywood,' in 1972, and passed away the following year. Despite her extensive work in film and literature, the provided text does not detail any specific esoteric, occult, or mystical contributions.

Born Marion Benson Owens in San Francisco, Marion's early life was shaped by her father's business ventures and a family separation. After her parents' divorce, she spent time in Pope Valley, California, a setting she later used in her 1935 book 'Valley People.' Her education was interrupted early; she was expelled from school at age twelve for drawing satirical pictures of her teacher. She later attended the Mark Hopkins Art Institute in San Francisco until its destruction in the 1906 earthquake. Following the advice of writer Jack London to gain life experience for her art, she took on various jobs. In 1906, she married her instructor from the Art Institute, Wesley de Lappe.

Marion's professional journey began in photography and commercial art, eventually leading her to journalism as a reporter for the San Francisco Examiner. She transitioned to film in Los Angeles, working as a poster artist before joining Lois Weber Productions. She learned screenwriting from Weber and went on to write numerous scenarios for actress Mary Pickford. Marion's talent was recognized early; she sold her first script, 'The Foundling,' for $125, and later revitalized a shelved film with a new prologue and epilogue, earning a significant contract. She became head of the writing department at World Films and later signed a lucrative contract with Famous Players–Lasky. During World War I, she served overseas as a combat correspondent, documenting women's contributions to the war effort and was the first woman to cross the Rhine after the armistice.

Frances Marion achieved significant accolades in her career, winning two Academy Awards: one for Writing in 1931 for 'The Big House' and another for Best Story in 1932 for 'The Champ.' She also co-wrote 'Min and Bill.' She was credited with writing approximately 300 scripts and over 130 produced films. After her success in Hollywood, Marion often retreated to her family's Aetna Springs Resort. She married four times and had two sons. In 1946, she left Hollywood to focus on writing novels and stage plays, publishing her memoir 'Off With Their Heads: A Serio-Comic Tale of Hollywood' in 1972, shortly before her death.