Dorothy Winifred Gibson

Who was Miss Dorothy Winifred Gibson?

Miss Dorothy Winifred Gibson was an American silent film actress, model, and Titanic survivor who gained fame for starring in the first motion picture about the disaster, “Saved from the Titanic,” just one month after the ship’s sinking. Born in 1889, she was a multifaceted talent who transitioned from Broadway performances to becoming a popular film star in the early 1910s, before experiencing a dramatic life that included surviving the Titanic, a brief opera career, and later involvement in World War II resistance efforts.

Early Life and Family

Dorothy Winifred Gibson was born on May 17, 1889, in Hoboken, New Jersey. Her early years were marked by personal loss and change:

• Parents: John A. Brown (father) and Pauline Boesen Brown (mother)
• Father’s death: John Brown passed away during Dorothy’s childhood
• Stepfather: Her mother remarried John Leonard Gibson

This family dynamic would later play a significant role in Dorothy’s life, particularly during her Titanic experience.

From Broadway to Silent Film Star

Dorothy’s artistic career began on the stage and quickly evolved into silent films:

1. Broadway Career (1907-1911):

   • Performed as a singer and dancer in musicals
   • Worked with notable producers like Charles Frohman and the Shubert Brothers

2. Modeling (1909):

   • Became a favorite model for illustrator Harrison Fisher
   • Her image graced magazine covers, postcards, and various merchandise

3. Silent Film Debut (July 1911):

   • Hired as leading lady for the American branch of the French company Éclair
   • Starred in comedies and dramas, quickly rising to popularity

4. Notable Role:

   • Portrayed Revolutionary War heroine Molly Pitcher in “Hands Across the Sea” (1911)

The Titanic Experience

Dorothy Gibson’s life took a dramatic turn with her voyage on the Titanic:

• Embarkation: Boarded at Cherbourg on April 10, 1912
• Ticket: Number 112378
• Class: First Class passenger
• Companion: Traveled with her mother, Pauline Caroline Gibson

The Night of the Sinking

On the fateful night of April 14, 1912, Dorothy’s actions were as follows:

1. Spent the evening playing bridge with New York bankers William T. Sloper and Frederick K. Seward
2. Returned to her stateroom around 11:40 PM
3. Felt the ship’s collision with the iceberg
4. Investigated the situation, noticing the ship’s tilt
5. Fetched her mother and made their way to the boat deck

Rescue

• Lifeboat: Number 7
• Observations: Dorothy noted the lifeboat was nearly empty when they boarded
• Companions: Asked Sloper and Seward to join them
• Memorable Quote: “I will never forget the terrible cry that rang out from people who were thrown into the sea and others who were afraid for their loved ones.”

Post-Titanic Career and “Saved from the Titanic”

The First Titanic Film

Just weeks after the disaster, Dorothy starred in “Saved from the Titanic”:

• Release Date: May 16, 1912
• Production: Éclair Moving Picture Company
• Role: Played herself
• Significance: First motion picture about the Titanic disaster

Despite initial hesitation, Dorothy’s performance in the film received excellent reviews from trade magazines.

Later Life and World War II

Dorothy’s life after her film career was equally eventful:

• Briefly pursued an opera career
• Married Jules Brulatour in 1917, separated in 1919
• Settled in France with her mother by 1928
• Became involved in Fascist politics and intelligence work
• Switched allegiances during World War II
• Arrested by the Gestapo in Italy as a resistance agitator
• Imprisoned at San Vittore in Milan but escaped in 1944

Dorothy Gibson’s Legacy

Dorothy Gibson’s life was a tapestry of artistic achievement, historical significance, and personal intrigue. From her early days on Broadway to her survival of the Titanic and her later involvement in World War II resistance, she lived a life that was as dramatic as any film she starred in. Her unique experience as both a Titanic survivor and the star of the first film about the disaster cements her place in both cinema and maritime history.

Dorothy Gibson passed away on February 17, 1946, at the age of 56 (fifty-six), in her suite at the Hotel Ritz in Paris. She was laid to rest in the old cemetery in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France, leaving behind a legacy that continues to fascinate historians and film enthusiasts alike.