Norma supposedly had an “affair” with James Quirk back in her early modeling days in New York. Whether this is true or not is beyond me. Of Lawrence Quirk’s biographies, I have only read Norma: The Story of Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford: The Essential Biography. In both, Lawrence places his uncle in situations in the lives of Norma and Joan that are crucial to their careers; other biographies write basically nothing about James Quirk, if he is mentioned at all. In both biographies, he over exaggerates his uncle's physical appeal and sexual achievements.

In Norma’s circumstance, Lawrence claims that Jimmy got her parts in The Flapper, The Restless Sex, Way Down East, and The Stealers (all 1920). Undoubtedly, Gavin Lambert would have made some sort of mention to a man who, according to Lawrence, played a major role in Norma’s early career. Lambert’s book ranks, in the minds of most real Norma fans, as the superior biography. Lawrence gives us a completely white-washed version of Norma, with virtually no mention to any problems in her life.

As far as this site goes, and considering the fact that Lawrence Quirk’s biography is good for only the conversations he had with Norma’s costars and such, I believe Norma may have only known James as the editor of Photoplay Magazine, that’s it. Any information that exaggerates her relationship with him is more than likely false.