She had a lifelong affiliation with the Republican party and was a strong supporter of Dwight D. Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, and Ronald Reagan.
She was teaching at Vassar at the same time that Meryl Streep was studying there in her junior year. Upon seeing the young drama major rehearsing August Strindberg's play "Miss Julie", Arthur remarked it was "just like watching a movie star".
Turned down Donna Reed's role in It's a Wonderful Life (1946) because she didn't want to work with James Stewart again.
Turned down the role of the lady missionary in Lost Horizon (1973), the unsuccessful musical remake of the 1937 classic of the same name.
Was a leading contender for the coveted role of Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind (1939).
Wore her natural brunette hair color throughout the silent film portion of her career, then began bleaching her hair blonde shortly after she started making talkies.