American actress Francis Farmer: biography, filmography and interesting facts

To the general public, the actress, perhaps, is more known for the tragic history of her life. Sensational and often fictional stories about the scandalous incidents involving Farmer were savored in the press, especially her forced placement in a psychiatric hospital. The talented and controversial Francis Farmer was the subject of condemnation for some and a muse for others. The personality of the actress and her life served as an excuse for creating three films, three books, numerous songs and magazine articles.

Childhood and youth

Frances Elena Farmer was born on September 19, 1913 in Seattle, Washington. Her father was a lawyer, and her mother a social worker. Childhood Francis was held in comfort and prosperity, he could be called happy, if not for constant conflict with his mother, who was a very powerful man. Already in her school years, the girl discovered a penchant for acting and literary talent. At the age of sixteen, Francis won the "Best essay" contest, for a controversial work entitled "God is dying," she received a prize of one hundred dollars. In 1931, she entered the University of Washington, where she studied journalism, drama and took part in productions of the student theater.

The first manifestations of a rebellious nature

Constant contradictions with his mother brought up the rebellious character of Francis Farmer. Biography of the actress, perhaps, could be different, if not a tendency to resist the conventional wisdom. The girl sympathizes with the socialist ideas of atheism and universal equality and for the constant subscription to the newspaper "The Voice of Retribution" in 1935 is awarded a trip to the Soviet Union. Despite the mother's protests and public accusations of sympathy for communism, Francis goes to the USSR. The rebel wants to independently express his opinion about the country of workers and peasants, as well as get acquainted with the Russian theater school, visiting the famous Moscow Art Theater.

Hollywood

On her return, the girl decides to make changes in her life and take up acting career. In 1936, young talent sent to New York, where he met with the agent Paramount Pictures, which suits the young actress's test. The striking appearance and characteristic voice of Francis Farmer did not leave the producers indifferent, and the studio signed with her a seven-year contract. So the Hollywood story of the actress begins. The first work Francis in the film "Too Many Parents", released on screens in 1936, receives rave reviews of critics. There are changes in her personal life, she also gets acquainted with the actor Leif Erikson on the set of the picture , for which she marries in the same year. The stage of the ascent of the Hollywood star, Francis Farmer, begins. Filmography continues to be replenished with new works. In the musical film "Rhythm on the Steeps" Francis plays the main female role, and her partner on the set becomes the famous Bing Crosby. Producer Samuel Goldwyn offers Farmer a serious role in the drama "Come and Take It" based on the novel by Edna Ferber. Francis brilliantly coped with the role, critics and the public appreciated her created images of mother and daughter, the role in this film is considered the most difficult and best work of the actress. Francis is working hard, and in 1937 the films with her participation: "Exclusive", "Favorite New York" and "Otliv." Everything points to the brilliant future of the actress.

Opposition to the Hollywood rules

Despite the great success and its popularity, did not feel proper satisfaction from the work of Francis Farmer. Films and roles that were offered to her, the actress considered monotonous. According to the star, the producers imposed on her the roles that emphasize only external data, but do not disclose her acting talent. Therefore, Francis often clashed with the management of the studio, was capricious on the shooting and refused to participate in the secular events of Hollywood. In an era when film studios dictated to the stars rules of conduct in all aspects of life, this behavior was considered bad form. Therefore, rave reviews in the press were replaced by caustic articles criticizing the actress.

Theater

With the intention of finding a worthy use for her talent and establishing herself as a serious actress in 1937, Francis Farmer left Hollywood and traveled to Connecticut to take part in theatrical productions at Pinebrook. There the Hollywood film star gets acquainted with the director Harold Krumman and the playwright Clifford Odets and accepts the offer to join the troupe of the theater under their direction. Soon the first theatrical performance "The Golden Boy" with the participation of Farmer. Although the actress's game was met with disapproval by critics, the production of the play due to her participation becomes popular, and Farmer goes on tour with the theater. During the joint work on the performance between Francis and Clifford Odets, an affair broke out. The playwright was married and, unlike Farmer, was not going to destroy the marriage and take on new obligations. The actress considered this attitude a betrayal and accused Odets that he used it to raise the rating of the production.

Return to Hollywood

Following the terms of the contract with Paramount Pictures, Francis Farmer returns to Hollywood. She continues to withdraw, and in her spare time participates in performances on Broadway, but they do not bring the actress success. Francis feels depressed and increasingly relieves stress with alcohol. This way of life does not go to the actress for good, her already difficult character, aggravated by a hangover, becomes unbearable. Francis is capricious and often disrupts shooting, her behavior repels the producers, and since 1939, the career of the actress has been rolling down. Francis increasingly offer secondary roles, and in 1942, the studio breaks the contract with her. In the period from 1938 to 1942, Farmer starred in the films "The Curve of the Curve of the Miles", "South Pago-Pago", "Golden Stream", "World Premiere", "Badlands of Dakota", "Among the Living", "Son of Fury: Story Benjamin Blake. "

Problems with law

The family life of the actress also gives a break, in the same 1942 she divorced from Leif Erickson. Failures in career and personal life lead to alcohol dependence. For driving in a state of intoxication and insulting police officers in the performance of Francis for a day falls under arrest at the police station of Santa Monica. The court sentenced her to imprisonment for a period of six months and a fine of five hundred dollars. The actress immediately pays half and receives a suspended term. There comes a black streak, frustrations and scandals are now filled with the biography of Francis Farmer. Biographies of another, with awards and awards, the actress was waiting for, but the addiction prevails, and the work in the movies does not add up. In addition, the bad character again makes itself felt, and in 1943 a new scandal erupted around Francis. The hairdresser of the studio accused Farmer of inflicting bodily harm. Since the second half of the fine for the first offense was never paid, Themis became adamant, and the actress again found herself behind bars. The court hearing was loud, Farmer abundantly watered the police with curses, accused of violating their civil rights, finally threw an inkwell at the judge. This time, the actress could not escape imprisonment. Behind the bars, Francis was not for long, her condition was found to be unstable, and soon the relatives managed to get Farmer transferred to a state mental hospital. There, the doctors diagnosed Francis as a "manic-depressive psychosis" and recognized her incompetent.

Compulsory hospitalization

Over the course of eight long years, Francis underwent examination and treatment in various psychiatric clinics. During this time, Farmer was diagnosed with schizophrenia and applied shock insulin and electroconvulsive therapy to her. The actress often ran from the clinics after such tortures, but she was returned back. Achieved results in the treatment was able only psychiatrist Walter Freeman, who conducted a transloglobotomy. The operation was successful. Farmer's condition improved, and consciousness cleared, and in 1950 she was discharged from the clinic under the care of her mother.

New life

Returning to Seattle, Francis works at the Hotel "Olympic" at first a simple working laundry, and then an administrator. In 1953, Farmer was restored to civil rights. Once, Francis recognized the reporter and wrote an article about her. This renewed interest in the actress. Farmer was invited to participate in the TV show "This is your life." There she told about her alcoholism, which she hid her first behind bars, and then to a psychiatric clinic. The actress had two more time to be married. In 1951, she went for Alfred Lobley, but already in 1957 he met Leand Mikesell, who works as a television promoter. Between them begins a violent romance, and Francis goes to San Francisco with a new lover. In 1958, Farmer received a divorce and married to Mikesell. In a wave of interest in her person, Francis played a role in the film "Cayfolom." This film was the last in her film career, after which Hollywood forgot about her forever.

TV

Several episodes involving Farmer in the television series gave impetus to the beginning of a television career and the creation of his own show. Talent Francis showed up in a new capacity, and shortly on the television screens there was a show program "Francis Farmer Presents." For a long time the program was very popular, but in 1964 the addiction to alcohol again made itself felt. Farmer is once again divorced, and her show is closed. The actress tries to return to the stage of the theater, but alcohol at this time finally wins, and with the acting career Farmer finished finally. The actress Francis Farmer died in 1970, forgotten by the public and admirers.

Afterword

Posthumously publish "Will it really be morning" by Francis Farmer, a biographical sketch. The public will become details of her stay in psychiatric hospitals. The world learns about the violence of the orderlies, the mocking experiments of doctors and the humiliation of patients. And in 1982, the screens will be released the film "Francis", which tells about the dramatic fate of the actress. The role of Francis brilliantly performed by Jessica Lange, for her work she was nominated for an Oscar. Kurt Cobain, the lead singer of the Nirvana band, called Francis Farmer his muse and dedicated a song to her. Melen Gaultier, better known as Melen Farmer, changed her name as a sign of respect for the actress.