Frances Farmer, a name that has faded into obscurity over time, was an actress ahead of her time.
In a era when beauty and compliance were the only requirements for actresses, she dared to be stubborn and outspoken.
She longed for more challenging roles and questioned the status quo, which led people to label her as naive and crazy.
Today, her story remains buried in the annals of history, but in the realm of psychiatry, Frances Farmer’s name is well-known for the horrific treatments she endured.
Frances Farmer’s life has been extensively documented, with her sister shedding light on the harrowing experiences she endured in various psychiatric institutions in her book “Look Back in Love.”
Research conducted in “Will There Really Be a Morning?”
delves into her personality, family background, and the contentious diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia.
However, one cannot overlook the significance of her upbringing and the historical context in understanding her story.
Raised by a mother who encouraged her to have a voice and pursue fame, Frances Farmer stood out from a young age.
She made headlines in local newspapers in Seattle, delivering powerful speeches on women’s beliefs based on Nietzsche’s writings.
Her mother enrolled her in theater classes to fulfill her own unfulfilled dreams of stardom, and Frances gained recognition in college while continuing to write critical articles on societal issues.
By 1935, Frances had already appeared in several movies and obtained a journalism degree.
However, her mother convinced her to delay her career in favor of pursuing stage acting.
Frances reluctantly agreed and secured an audition with Paramount Pictures, which resulted in a seven-year contract.
The movie industry was captivated by her classic beauty mixed with insolence and boldness.
All she had to do was play by the rules, attend parties, and keep quiet about any illicit activities.
Frances, however, rebelled against this world she despised.
She detested the naive roles assigned to her and grew disillusioned with the press and the glamorous facade she was expected to maintain.
Despite her resistance, she succumbed to the pressure from her mother and agents, even marrying an actor to boost her career.
However, her defiance led to a decline in her professional trajectory as she refused certain scenes, rejected scripts, and breached contracts.
To escape her suffocating existence, Frances often resorted to reckless driving at night.
Her attempts to flee her own reality frequently ended in disaster, resulting in numerous traffic violations.
The turning point came when she punched a Hollywood executive and tried to escape once again, only to be apprehended by the police.
In an effort to tame her rebellious spirit and personality, she was forcibly admitted to a psychiatric hospital, where she underwent electroshock therapy and insulin shock therapy.
After a few months, Frances was released, determined to break free from her life as an actress.
However, her mother, together with the Hollywood executives, deemed her mentally unfit and had her readmitted to a psychiatric ward.
For five years, Frances endured unimaginable horrors in a hospital in Steilacoom, Washington.
Apart from the cruel psychiatric treatments, she suffered s**ual abuse and rape.
The most egregious act committed against her was an unauthorized lobotomy, intended to suppress her personality and deemed necessary due to her “bad character” and “hysterical nature.”
After being confined for five years and subjected to abuse and trauma, Frances emerged a mere shell of her former self.
While she made sporadic appearances in interviews, plays, and TV shows, her true essence had been stolen from her through surgery.
Her presence still captivated audiences, but the vibrant spirit and beauty that defined Frances Farmer were forever lost.
