Martha Mansfield, a renowned American actress, was born Martha Ehrlich on a summer day, July 14, 1899, in the vibrant city of New York. She was the beloved daughter of Maurice and Harriett Gibson Ehrlich, who lovingly raised her alongside her younger sister, Edith, who arrived in 1905. A common misconception is that Martha was born in Mansfield, Ohio, a notion that is, however, refuted by her birth record and death certificate, which unequivocally confirm New York City as her birthplace. Interestingly, her mother, Harriett, hails from Mansfield, Ohio, having migrated there from Ireland in 1885. As Martha grew older, she adopted the name of the town as her stage name, a testament to her connection to her heritage.
Martha's early years in the entertainment industry were marked by her appearances in silent films and vaudeville stage plays, laying the foundation for a long and illustrious career. Her debut in a Hollywood movie came in 1920 with the release of "Civilian Clothes", a film directed by the renowned Hugh Ford. This initial foray into the world of cinema was followed by her prominent role as Millicent Carew in the film adaptation of the classic novel "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", which starred the esteemed John Barrymore. As her star continued to rise, Martha signed with Selznick Pictures, where she was cast alongside the talented Eugene O'Brien in the 1919 film "The Perfect Lover".
In 1921, Martha returned to her roots, taking to the stage once more in a vaudeville tour that showcased her impressive range as a performer. The following year, she appeared in two independent films, "Queen of the Moulin Rouge" and "Till We Meet Again", cementing her status as a versatile and sought-after actress. The remainder of 1922 was spent touring the vaudeville circuit, solidifying her reputation as a talented and dedicated performer.
In the year 1923, the talented actress, actress, and performer, known for her captivating on-screen presence and memorable roles, fulfilled her contractual obligations with the renowned film producer, David O. Selznick, and subsequently entered into a new agreement with the prestigious Fox Film Corporation.
Her initial cinematic endeavour for the esteemed Fox Film Corporation was the 1923 production, "The Silent Command", which featured the renowned actors, Edmund Lowe and Béla Lugosi, in leading roles.
The concluding feature-length films in her distinguished short film career, both released in 1923, were the notable productions, "Potash and Perlmutter" and "The Leavenworth Case".
Martha's life took a dramatic turn on November 29, 1923, as she found herself in the midst of a terrifying ordeal on the set of The Warrens of Virginia in San Antonio, Texas. The actress, known for her captivating performances, was working tirelessly to bring her character, Agatha Warren, to life. As she had just completed her scenes and was taking a brief respite, a chance encounter with a tossed match would forever alter the course of her life.
In a freak accident, Martha's Civil War costume, consisting of intricately designed hoop skirts and delicate ruffles, was ignited, engulfing her in flames. The actress, oblivious to the danger, was caught off guard as her clothing burst into flames, mere moments after retiring to her car. The horror of the situation was only compounded by the fact that she was clad in flammable attire, leaving her vulnerable to the ravages of the fire.
Thanks to the quick thinking and bravery of leading man Wilfred Lytell, who selflessly threw his heavy overcoat over Martha's burning form, her neck and face were spared from the worst of the flames. However, the chauffeur of Mansfield's car, who attempted to remove the burning clothing from the actress, suffered severe burns to his hands in the process.
As the fire was finally extinguished, Martha was left to contend with substantial burns to her body, a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of caution. The incident would undoubtedly have a lasting impact on her life, serving as a poignant reminder of the dangers that lurked in the shadows of the entertainment industry.
Martha, a young woman of 24 years, was suddenly and tragically taken from this world, her life cut short in a devastating and untimely manner.
Following a severe and ultimately fatal injury, Martha was rushed to a nearby hospital where she received medical attention, but alas, her condition proved to be irreversible, and she succumbed to her injuries just short of 24 hours later.
The circumstances of her passing were attributed to severe burns affecting all extremities, a condition that had also led to the onset of general toxemia and the suppression of urine, a triple threat that ultimately proved too great for her young body to overcome.
In the aftermath of her untimely demise, Martha's body was escorted back to her home in New York City by her companion, actor Phillip Shorey, where it was prepared for burial.
Finally, Martha was laid to rest in the Woodlawn Cemetery, located in the Bronx, a place where she would be remembered and mourned by those who loved her, her legacy living on through the memories of her life and the impact she had on those around her.
