Actress who charged double the fees of the hero: Florence, the world’s first film star, invented indicators, committed suicide after being fed up with the disease.

Today in Unsunni Dastanen, we are going to tell you the story of the world’s first movie star Florence Lawrence, who is known as Biography Girl. She is the one who used to charge double the fees of a hero in 1910. She was the first movie star who was given credit by writing her name in the film. Apart from films, Florence invented the indicator (traffic signal arm), although he was never officially given credit for it due to the absence of a patent. Despite all this, his personal life remained painful and turbulent. Married 3 times, but had no children. The first husband died, the second got divorced and the third used to beat her after drinking alcohol. His personal life affected his career and his stardom faded within a few years.

While she was emerging from all this, an accident on the set changed her life. First, she got burnt by fire, the trauma of which remained lifelong. His body was paralyzed for 4 months and no one was ready to get him treated. When her condition improved, she was struck by a rare incurable disease. Fed up with the disease, Florence finally committed a painful death. His name was written on his tomb 52 years after his death.

Started acting career at the age of 3

On January 2, 1886, Florence Lawrence was born in Hamilton, Ontario. Father used to make tanga and mother Charlotte Lotta Lawrence was an actress. 3-year-old Florence began her acting career by performing on stage with her mother and then began frequently attending dance performances with her. Whenever her mother could not perform, Florence would take her place.

She was 4 years old when her parents divorced. In such a situation, Florence started living with her mother and grandmother. To participate in the play, he had to travel for hours with the group. She was 12 years old when her father died suddenly of coal gas poisoning. In 1906, 20-year-old Florence came to live in New York with her mother.

How did you become a part of the motion picture?

After coming to New York, Florence Lawrence started paying attention to motion pictures. In 1906, Lawrence appeared in a motion picture for the first time. The very next year, in 1907, he got work in 38 films of Vitagraph Film Company simultaneously, but this did not give him recognition.

On December 27, 1906, Florence was cast in the film Daniel Boone by Thomas Edison’s Edison Manufacturing Company. The company was looking for a girl who knew horse riding and at that time only Florence knew horse riding. In the film, he had to shoot amidst snowfall, for which he was paid 5 dollars a day.

At the same time, famous Biography Studio director D.W. Was looking for a beautiful girl for Griffith’s film. The director had seen Florence in a Vitagraph Film Company film. He liked Florence’s beauty and acting at first sight.

At that time, no actor was given credit by writing his name in films, so it was difficult for him to find Florence. He contacted the studio, gathered information about Florence and called her. D.W. Griffith signed him for $25 a week.

Letters from Florence’s fans used to come to the studio, she was the first star.

In that era, heroines were shown in very few films, hence Florence’s popularity started increasing continuously. Since he was not given credit in films, no one knew his name. In such a situation, his fans used to send fan letters for him to the studio address.

The studio was afraid that revealing his name might increase his popularity further, as it could also increase their fee demands.

Florence is the first actress to get credit

Florence’s popularity increased so much with just a few films that crowds of people used to gather outside the studio to watch her, whereas no actor had that much popularity at that time. Due to public demand, the studio finally had to give Florence credit in the films. She was the first actress to get film credit.

Florence used to charge double the fees than the hero.

In the era of 1905, most of the actors were paid on a weekly basis, but after gaining popularity, Florence used to take fees not on a weekly basis, but on a daily basis, that too double that of the hero.

Florence left Biograph Studios in 1909 and in 1912 started the production house Victor Studios with her husband Harry Salter. After some time this studio was bought by Carl Lymley. As soon as he left Biograph Studio, he stopped getting films and new actors started taking his place.

The studio claimed that Florence died in a car accident.

After selling the studio, Florence and her husband Harry began working with independent motion picture studios. The studio knew that Florence’s popularity had waned due to the gap of a few years. In such a situation, to bring her back into the limelight, studio owner Carl Lymley claimed that Florence Lawrence was killed in a car accident.

The news of Florence’s death became a media sensation and her fans were shocked. Shortly thereafter, the studio placed an advertisement in the newspapers, in which it was written along with Florence’s photo: we lie. Along with this, it was announced that Florence will be seen in the studio’s film The Broken Bath.

The publicity stunt worked and he became the talk of the town. This was the first and biggest publicity stunt in film history.

When Florence St. Louis first appeared in Misery in 1910 after the news of her death, the crowd surrounded her and unbuttoned her coat, giving her the star treatment. The studio then took advantage of this and spread the news that Florence was surrounded by a mob and fans tore her clothes. Florence regained her status due to the studio’s publicity stunt.

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Florence invented turn signal and brake signal, but did not get credit

Along with the popularity she got in films, Florence also invented the modern turn signal (indicator). She always had a keen interest in cars and automobiles. She used to drive her car and repair it. One day he realized that turning the car suddenly causes problems to the vehicles coming from behind. To find a solution to this, he created a technique by which, with the help of a button, a flag would come out exactly on the side where the vehicle was to be turned. His invention started being used in every vehicle at that time, although he did not take a patent for it. That’s why he was never given official credit for it.

Apart from the indicator, Florence also invented the brake signal. He created a technique by which the vehicle coming behind received a signal that the brakes were being applied. This reduced the chances of accidents.

By August 1912, Florence Lawrence’s married life turned sour. One day she had a huge fight with her husband Harry, in which he said some abusive words about Florence’s mother. After the fight, Harry left them and went to Europe. After a few days, Harry realized his mistake and started writing letters to her every day. One day Harry wrote in a letter that he wanted to commit suicide. After reading the letter, Florence’s heart melted and she reconciled with her husband.

When she made a comeback, she got injured in an accident on the set, remained in shock for months.

In 1914 Florence began work with his own studio, Victor Film, which by then had been merged into Universal Studios. In 1915, Florence was shooting the film Pawn of Destiny, when a major accident occurred on the set due to a fire in the stage. Florence got burnt as the fire spread and her hair got scorched. He suffered spinal fracture due to the rapid fall. After this accident she remained in shock for months.

The studio refused to bear the expenses

As soon as the shooting was completed, the studio refused to bear his medical expenses, which shocked him. His condition was worsening. One day during the shooting, her health deteriorated and she became paranoid. His condition improved after 4 months. When her condition improved, in 1920 her husband Harry Salter died due to prolonged illness.

Florence attempted a comeback in 1921, but could only get a few minor roles. A year after her husband’s death, she married automobile salesman Charles Woodring. During this period, Florence stayed away from films and along with her husband, she opened a theatrical makeup store. Due to constant differences, the two separated in 1929, but both continued their business partnership.

Ruined due to loss in business

After some time, Florence’s makeup store started losing money. At the same time, the stock market crash led to the Great Depression in October 1929. By putting pressure on him, his store was closed. Similarly, Florence also invested in some other businesses, but due to losses, each of her businesses was closed.

Third husband used to beat while drunk

In 1933, Florence married Henry Bolton. Her third husband used to beat her after drinking alcohol. Only 5 months had passed since the marriage and Florence called off the marriage.

In 1937, Florence Lawrence suffered from myelofibrosis (bone disease). She was in constant pain due to this disease, but she continued doing small jobs in films. Due to financial constraints, Florence left her luxurious home and started living in West Hollywood with studio worker Robert Bob Brinlaw.

On December 28, 1938, Florence was scheduled to go to a shooting at the MGM studios. She called the studio in the afternoon and said that she would come late for the shooting. After some time his neighbor heard his screaming. Only a few minutes had passed when neighbor Marian received a call from Florence. She was screaming in pain and saying that she had consumed poison. An ambulance was immediately called and he was sent to Beverly Hills Hospital, but the doctors could not save him. He was declared dead at 2:45 pm.

Investigation found that Florence, fed up with illness and pain, had consumed ant-killing medicine mixed with cough syrup. He left a suicide note at his home for studio worker and housemate Bob.

It was written in the note…

‘Dear Bob, call Doctor Wilson. I am tired. I hope this resolves the matter. Good bye, my dear. They couldn’t cure me, so I let it go. Lovingly Florence.

All of you will be very happy with this. Now everything is yours.

Name was written on the grave 52 years after death

Florence’s funeral took place on December 30, the expenses of which were covered by the Motion Picture and Television Fund. His name was never written in his tomb. However, after 52 years, in 1991, a British actor got his name inscribed on his memorial. The inscription on her grave was – The Biography Girl/The First Movie Star.

Memorial to Florence Lawrence.

Next Saturday, October 14, read the story of model and photographer Eva Braun, who was shot dead by her husband Hitler just an hour after their marriage.

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