Mr. Pat Ryan of Arizona, whose grandparents Fred and Maurita Meunier owned Frenchy's, shares a few stories about the celebrities who sought out Frenchy's as a pleasant western retreat:

Here are some memories as related to me by me Grandmother, Maurita.

My Grandmother mentioned several celebrities that came to Wolf Creek in the 40's and 50's. Dinah Shore, George Montgomery, Bing Crosby, Errol Flynn were among some of the film stars of that era that frequented Frenchy's in the heyday. All except Flynn were avid outdoors people.

Montgomery was from the area and what she related to me was that he never forgot his roots.

Dinah Shore was married to Montgomery, and when they stayed out at Frenchy's she would always sing in the Bar for the patrons. My grandmother had a picture of Dinah Shore and me (probably at age 2) on rollerskates going thu the restaurant as surprised patrons look on. I
believe that photo was destroyed in the fire of 1958 [the fire destroyed the restaurant].

The story my Grandmother tells of Bing Crosby is that on one of his many summer trips, he stayed for an extended period after the death of his first wife [Dixie]. For weeks all he did was sit at the bar and order his favorite drink, seven and seven. He pulled his trademark hat low over his eyes so no one would recognize him and bother him. My grandmother said that she had not seen anybody that stricken with grief. She felt bad, and when anybody tried to approach him or recognized him they were promptly told to hit the road.

One other story she told me time and again was about their least favorite celebrity, Errol Flynn. Flynn flew to the Helena area to promote a movie and all the town was out to greet him. My Mother, Rieta, at the time was a teenager and was on the greeting committee.

Flynn come off the plane in a highly intoxicated state and proceeded to say several off-color things directed at some of the local young ladies....including my mother. Frenchy, who was an ex-boxer and pretty gruff guy, pulled Flynn aside and basically told him that if he didn't clean up his act and language would be not getting back on the plane in one piece. No one knows exactly what he said to Flynn but evidently made a strong impression on him the rest of the stay.

Just a few of the stories I remember. Frenchy died of cancer in 1963 [1965]. My Grandmother died in 1997 at the age of 85. They really typified Montana in the 40's and 50's, fair, hard working and hard playing people.