MARTHA MANSFIELD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17218, 8 December 1923, Page 1 (Supplement)

MARTHA MANSFIELD.

KINEMA STAR FATALLY J?URNT. “ A message from San Antonio, Texas, states that Martha Mansftc-d. ! a kinema star, died to-day as the re- ) sut of burns caused by her dress lie coming ignited when on a 4 location ’ there:”—New York cable message, December 2. Martha Mansfied was born at Mansfield. Ohio, in 1899. and commenced her career on the stage at an eary age, and for a period was a Ziegfeld beauty. In an interview which was published at the time she was promoted to stardam by Selznick (1921) the following appeared : " 1 Early in life 1 decided to be an actress.’ she explained. ‘So when we moved from Ohio to New York, one of the first things T did was to apply for a job on the stage. 1 got it, too, and after that 1 never had any trouble get-

ting engagements, though offers came more frequently after 1 had been in the Follies and the New Amsterdam Roof. During that time l vibrated between the screen and stage,’ she continued. 4 My first experience in pictures was with Max Linder, the French comedian. 1 played opposite him iu a series of six comedies. Then I played with Eugene O’Brien in * 4 The Per-fect-Lover.’’ A- little later I liad the part opposite .John Barrymore in 44 Dr Jekv.ll and .Mr Hvde.” and opposite Thomas Meiglian in 44 Civilau Clothes.” ’ ‘‘lt was ■ at' this point in Martha’s career iliat* the Selznick Company decided Martha needed the steadying influences of a contract. Six months later Miss Mansfield became a star. Amongst the pictures in which she appeared for Selznick were - 4 The Wonderful Chance,” 44 Society Snobs” and ‘ 4 Gilded Lies.” At the time of her contract with Selznick, under the heading 41 Just Martha-” a movie critic wrote:— 44 In .spite of. the fact that many artists have declared her to he the most beautiful girl in New York, and that the public wanted her to be a star, Martha Mansfield remains simple and unaffected.”