Shirley Mason was an American actor who is best known for her roles in films such as “Vanity Fair,” “Curlytop,” and “Treasure Island.” Born Leonie Flugrath on June 6, 1900, in Brooklyn, New York, she had a successful acting career, especially during the silent film era.
Personal and Family Life
Shirley Mason was the youngest of three sisters, both of whom were also actresses. Her siblings were Viola Dana and Edna Flugrath. She was married twice, first to Bernard J. Durning from 1917 until his death in 1923, and later to Sidney Lanfield, with whom she remained married until his death in 1972.
Career
Shirley began her acting career as a child, making her debut in “At the Threshold of Life” at the age of 11. After a slow start, she became more prominent in the film industry by 1917, starring in numerous films that year. Throughout the 1920s, she continued to act in key roles but gradually moved toward retirement, marking her last film appearance in “The Flying Marine” in 1929.
Death and Legacy
Shirley Mason passed away on July 27, 1979, in Los Angeles, California, after a battle with cancer. Her contributions to early cinema and her place within a family of actresses continue to be remembered by film historians and fans alike.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Curlytop | 1924-12-28 | Curlytop |
| Vanity Fair | 1915-10-05 | Becky Sharp – as a child |
| Treasure Island | 1920-01-02 | Jim Hawkins |
| The Eleventh Hour | 1923-07-19 | Barbara Hackett |
| Desert Gold | 1926-03-22 | Mercedes Castanada |
| Secret Service | 1919-06-15 | Caroline Mitford |
| Sally in Our Alley | 1927-09-02 | Sally Williams |
| So This Is Love | 1928-02-06 | Hilda Jenson |
| The Flying Marine | 1929-06-05 | Sally |
| Anne Against the World | 1929-05-01 | Anne |
| Little Miss Smiles | 1922-01-15 | Esther Aaronson |