Actress. She became a cult figure for generations of sci-fi fans as the sexy, scheming Princess Aura in the serial "Flash Gordon" (1936). Her gutsy performance in that classic has dated remarkably well and even found favor among feminist critics, who view Aura as a go-getting role model. Lawson was born Priscilla Shortridge into a prominent Indianapolis family. While vacationing in Florida in 1935, she won a "Miss Miami Beach" contest and was invited to Hollywood by Universal Studios boss Carl Laemmle. She made the most of her big break in "Flash Gordon" and its success should have made her a star, but around this time Laemmle lost control of Universal and her contract was not renewed. In 1937 Lawson was signed by MGM, where she met and subsequently married actor Alan Curtis, but she was wasted in mostly uncredited bits for the rest of her brief career, which was over by 1942. Her 27 films include "Sutter's Gold" (1936), "Hollywood Bowl" (1936), "Test Pilot" (1938), "Three Comrades" (1938), "The Women" (1939), and "Billy the Kid" (1941). During World War II she served in the Women's Army Corps and reportedly lost a leg in a jeep accident; she later divorced Curtis and ran a small stationery shop. Lawson died of a bleeding ulcer at 44, just as the original "Flash Gordon" was starting to enjoy renewed popularity on television.
Actress. She became a cult figure for generations of sci-fi fans as the sexy, scheming Princess Aura in the serial "Flash Gordon" (1936). Her gutsy performance in that classic has dated remarkably well and even found favor among feminist critics, who view Aura as a go-getting role model. Lawson was born Priscilla Shortridge into a prominent Indianapolis family. While vacationing in Florida in 1935, she won a "Miss Miami Beach" contest and was invited to Hollywood by Universal Studios boss Carl Laemmle. She made the most of her big break in "Flash Gordon" and its success should have made her a star, but around this time Laemmle lost control of Universal and her contract was not renewed. In 1937 Lawson was signed by MGM, where she met and subsequently married actor Alan Curtis, but she was wasted in mostly uncredited bits for the rest of her brief career, which was over by 1942. Her 27 films include "Sutter's Gold" (1936), "Hollywood Bowl" (1936), "Test Pilot" (1938), "Three Comrades" (1938), "The Women" (1939), and "Billy the Kid" (1941). During World War II she served in the Women's Army Corps and reportedly lost a leg in a jeep accident; she later divorced Curtis and ran a small stationery shop. Lawson died of a bleeding ulcer at 44, just as the original "Flash Gordon" was starting to enjoy renewed popularity on television.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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