Priscilla Lawson

Priscilla Lawson (March 8, 1914 - August 27, 1958), born Priscilla Shortridge, was an American actress known for her role as Princess Aura in the original Flash Gordon serial (1936). She was a professional model by her early twenties and was crowned Miss Miami Beach in 1935. She then received a contract with Universal Studios, which led to her role in Flash Gordon as the daughter of Ming the Merciless. Princess Aura's rivalry with Dale Arden for ... more

Priscilla Lawson (March 8, 1914 - August 27, 1958), born Priscilla Shortridge, was an American actress known for her role as Princess Aura in the original Flash Gordon serial (1936). She was a professional model by her early twenties and was crowned Miss Miami Beach in 1935. She then received a contract with Universal Studios, which led to her role in Flash Gordon as the daughter of Ming the Merciless. Princess Aura's rivalry with Dale Arden for Flash Gordon's affections was one of the centerpieces of the serial. The role brought her cult figure status. Following Flash Gordon, Priscilla Lawson married actor Alan Curtis and joined the armed forces in World War II under her married name. It is undocumented, but some people believe that she lost a leg in an accident while serving in the Women's Army Corps. Another report claims that she lost her right leg in a 1937 automobile accident. Lawson and Curtis eventually divorced, and she later managed a stationery shop in Los Angeles,... less