Reds Had Hold Over Actress Since High School, Says Parent

By Ed Buthman

Warning students to stay clear of communism, Mrs. Lillian V. Farmer, mother of Frances Farmer, former actress, today blamed communistic activity as the chief reason for the mental breakdown of her talented daughter.

Mrs. Farmer said her daughter was indoctrinated with communism at West Seattle High School and the University of Washington.

Saddened and embittered, the 73-year-old woman declared that Communists "tricked and coerced" her famous daughter until they "broke her down – all the way."

Seated by the fireplace in the living room of her home at 2636 47^th Ave. S.W., Mrs. Farmer told how the beautiful actress, once Seattle’s brightest light on Broadway and in Hollywood, became more and more temperamental, landed in jail over traffic violations and finally was judged insane.

"Men who were admitted Communists and who had influence in New York and Hollywood held some terrible threat over her," Mrs. Farmer said. "Frances would never say what is was, but the Communists were able to make her do things she didn’t want to do."

"They were continually after her for money, and when she tried to break away, they frightened her into her present mental state."

The former star now does housework at the Western State Hospital at Steilacoom. She lives in dread of crowds and the fear that someone is trying to kill her, Mrs. Farmer said.

Mrs. Farmer said she first noticed her daughter was being subjected to radical teaching when she was at West Seattle High.

Arguments Were Futile

"It was all done so subtly," she continued. "Somehow Frances was taught to sneer at American traditions and to admire Russia’s five-year-plan which was then in operation.

"Not only Frances, but my other children came home from school with beliefs that the Constitution was outmoded and our government was a farce."

"We had many long arguments, but it was of little avail. At the University, Frances was even encouraged by some of her instructors to attend Communist meetings."

"It is not a pretty story and I’ve hesitated a long time to tell it, but what happened to Frances has happened and is happening to other talented, sensitive young people."

"Perhaps the telling of her experiences will save others from being drawn in by the Communists’ false promises."

Success On Broadway

In 1935 as a junior drama student at the University, Frances Farmer, then 21 years old, attracted national attention. She was awarded a trip to Russia for winning a subscription contest sponsored by The Voice of Action, now defunct pro-Communist weekly publication.

Upon returning from Russia, she sky-rocketed to stardom as an actress, and scored an outstanding success on Broadway in the play, "Golden Boy."

There was much more to her Cinderella story, however, Mrs. Farmer disclosed today.

"For a while she trusted the Communists and they used her and other stars as attractions at meetings and on money-making tours," the mother continued. "They interfered in her public and private life."

"I attended some of their meetings with her and it was always some money-making scheme. I don’t know how much Frances gave them, but it would run well into thousands of dollars."

"When she finally realized that Communism in truth was a plot against our country, she tried to break away. When I asked her why she couldn’t, she replied, "’Mom, I’ve had access to their meetings and I guess I’ve talked too much.’"

Mrs. Farmer confirmed that her daughter was listed as an entertainer for such Communist-front organizations as the American Youth Congress and the American League for Peace and Democracy and was connected with other Communist-front groups.

"When she tried to escape, they kept her from getting parts in movies, were instrumental in breaking up her marriage with Leif Erickson, and blackmailed and threatened her at every opportunity," Mrs. Farmer added.

"Frances’ success never brought her happiness. Talk about hell on earth; I can’t imagine anything worse.

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