Some years later when their daughters were working on films, the Flugraths moved to the West Coast where they became popular on movie sets conversing with curious Hollywood tourists.

[6] She began as a stock player with The Edison Film Company and eventually was given starring roles in one or two reel productions that were common for that period.

Flugrath achieved some success as a leading lady working with Shaw in England but left acting after they married in Johannesburg, South Africa, while filming De Voortrekkers (1916).

All three of the Flugrath sisters married motion picture directors, Shaw, Bernard Durning and John Collins, who all died prematurely.

In the years to follow, Flugrath became estranged from her sisters Leonie (Shirley Mason) and Virginia (Viola Dana), a rift that lasted until the end of her life.