The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-12-18

She was tall and slender, Latin
type Of beauty. She allowed her
coal black hair to grow long while
most Of the other girls bobbed and
marcelled. With graceful carriage,
erect head and shoulders, Priscilla
was outstanding in the sea Of eXcit-
ed, giddy school girls
Priscilla started her educational
career at Madame Bakers kinder
garten at the age of five, continued
on through the grades, taking music
lessons along with her school work
But all her life, she confesses, she
had fair for the dramatic, liked to
act out plays" on the front steps
with neighbor children.
Wanted to Be Designer
After l graduated from Short
ridge" Priscilla said in a recent let
ter to the writer, Il decided 1 want
ed to be designer Of jeWelry. Sec
ond best, l had chosen to work as
professional model.
ut took mother some time TO de-
eide, after she had investigated the
only jeWelry designing school in
United States, that that type of
art would not be successful ca
reer for a woman. I have always
thought she judged my ability, how
ever, from the way I designed
clothes for my dolls"
Priscilla's mother decided a course
in designing Women's wearing ap-
parel would be more practical. But
Priscilla didn't think so and that
never worked out. The desire to
work like other girls" prevailed and
she put in several months, in the
middle of the depression, trying to
get a job. One was finally land
ed at Charles Mayer e. Co. 1t
was temporary job, sales work
during the Christmas rush. Next,
Miss Lawson worked as an extra"
during an l.. S. Ayres g. Co. sale.
Engaged as Model
1t was while she was working in
that store that some one noticed
her looks and engaged her to model
in the College shop. But she didn't
have chance to work at the new
job. Her mother decided she would
go to Miami for a rest. And there
seemed to be ample opportunity for
the work in which Miss Lawson was
interested.
She left for Miami in October,
1884. There she rested swan,
played tennis. She was employed at
one Of the largest stores in Miami
as model The following January
Priscilla was chosen to lead the an
nual fashion show at Burdine De-
partment store. Offers poured in
following the show. Priscilla turned
them all down, decided commercial
photography was her line.
In March, the same year, Priscilla
was sauntering along the Miami
Beach, near Roman Pools. She met
friend. The friend asked Pris-
ella why she wasn't in the bathing
beauty contest which was to be held
in half hour or SO at the beach.
Miss Lawson said she didn't know
why she hadn't entered. 1t all end
ed with Miss Lawson walking on the
contest stand, and off with first
prize.
Many Offers Made
After that all kinds of photog-
raphy offers and picture offers rolled
in. Priscilla and her mother de-
termined to leave at once for New
York, to take up permanently, the
commercial picture angle
In New York, Miss Lawson did
several things. Among them was
modelling hats for Lii Dasche. A
representative from Universal Stu
dos watched her from the side of
the room. After the show was over
he told her he would like her in
moving pictures. She said she'd
like to be in moving pictures. The
entire day following was spent in
front of cameras, posing this way
and that, smiling, showing conster-
nation. The next night was spent
on board the Normandie which was
in port. There Miss Lawson played
her first picture role" She was
photographed as bit" in a picture
for the West Coast.
Three days later we were on a
plane bound for Los Angeles" Miss
Lawson's letter added, And here 1
am doing bit parts in Suffers