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1-20 of 20
- Actress
- Additional Crew
- Soundtrack
Ann Dvorak was the daughter of silent film star Anna Lehr and silents director Edwin McKim. She entered films at the start of sound, as a dance instructor for the lavish MGM musicals. She came to international prominence in Scarface (1932) with Paul Muni, but often complained about the lack of quality of her films, which led to arguments with her bosses at Warners. She married British actor Leslie Fenton in 1932, and came to Britain to make a few films. She contributed to the British war effort driving an ambulance. She retired from the screen in 1951, and died in 1979.- Actress
- Costume and Wardrobe Department
- Costume Designer
Elegance and femininity are fitting descriptions for Arlene Dahl. She is considered to be one of the most beautiful actresses to have graced the screen during the postwar period. Audiences were captivated by her breathtaking beauty and the way she used to it to her advantage, progressing from claimer to character roles.
Of Norwegian extraction, Miss Dahl was born in Minneapolis. Following high school she joined a local drama group, supporting herself with a variety of jobs, including modeling for a number of department stores. Arriving in Hollywood in 1946, she signed a brief contract with Warner Brothers, but she is best remembered for her work at MGM. The Bride Goes Wild (1948) was her first work at Metro. It was an odd but rather humorous love story, which starred Van Johnson and June Allyson.
Although her beauty captivated audiences, it ultimately limited her to smaller roles, and the mark she made at MGM was small. Some of her best films were Reign of Terror (1949), which actually required some acting and she acquitted herself quite well, Three Little Words (1950), Woman's World (1954), Slightly Scarlet (1956) and Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959).
Leaving films behind her in 1959, her typecasting would pay off financially as she became a beauty columnist and writer. She later established herself as a businesswoman, founding Arlene Dahl Enterprises which marketed lingerie and cosmetics.
She was married six times, two of whom were actors, Lex Barker and Fernando Lamas. She is the mother of actor / action star Lorenzo Lamas, and actually made a guest appearance in his film Night of the Warrior (1991).- Actress
- Soundtrack
Remarkable, unique, unforgettable Betty Marsden was one of Britain's most talented comedy actresses, best known for her multiple roles in the Kenneth Horne shows on BBC radio in the 1960s.
Betty Marsden was born in Liverpool on 24th February 1919, and appeared at Bath Pavilion aged 11 as the First Fairy in A Midsummer Night's Dream. She made her London debut later that year as the Prince in The Windmill Man (Victoria Palace), a fairy play with music.
Gaining a scholarship for six years to the Italia Conti Stage School, she first acted in the West End in Closing at Sunrise (Royalty, 1935).
Other pre-war West End work came in Basil Dean's production of Autumn (1937), Ivor Novello's Comedienne (1938), and J B Priestley's morality play, Johnson Over Jordan (1939).
During the Second World War she entertained the troops with ENSA, and played in the war-torn West End in the American comedy, Junior Miss (1943). In 1947 she won critical praise as the amorous Mrs Corcoran to Alastair Sim's murderous medico in Dr Angelus and in Sacha Guitry's Don't Listen, Ladies! (1948).
Then came 12 years in intimate revue. She started at the tiny Irving Theatre Club in London in 1950-51 and went to the Edinburgh Festival with After The Show. She was in her element, and in the 1950s spent years at the Royal Court in Laurier Lister's Airs on a Shoestring (1953-55) and its successor From Here and There.
In 1958 she appeared in a revue by John Cranko, Keep Your Hair On, which was so disastrous that the gallery was filled each night by audiences who wanted to take turns at making their own jokes at the expense of the stage action. The plot hinged on a revolution in London. Many scenes were for some reason set in a Mayfair hairdressers; she made a brave attempt at a song called Crowning Glory.
In the 1960s she was at the peak of her career, appearing on BBC radio's Round the Horne which co-starred Kenneth Williams. She delighted millions of listeners who never knew what she looked like, with her radio characters, such as Daphne Whitethigh, the cookery expert, whose delivery owed something to Fanny Craddock. And there was a regular double-act with Hugh Paddick in the Brief Encounter genre. Much of the dialogue in this spoof would be a low-toned, breathy exchange of the remark "Darling".
Her most famous film role is without doubt the oblivious, guffawing character of Harriet Potter, alongside other comedy heroes Terry Scott and Charles Hawtrey in Carry on Camping (1969). They make an exceptional comedy team throughout the film. In her later years, she appeared in character roles on French and Saunders (1987) and Casualty (1986).
Throughout, the filming of Carry on Camping (1969), Miss Marsden suggested to fellow actress Dilys Laye that she wanted to die with a glass of gin in her hand.
In July 1998, 24 hours after moving into a residential home for old actors, this is exactly what happened. Miss Marsden had been chatting to friends in the home's bar when she collapsed and died. She was 79 and had been recovering from a bout of heart problems and pneumonia.- Actress
- Writer
- Soundtrack
After forty years of hard work on stage and both television and film, there are not many other actresses who deserved the success, recognition and stardom which Brenda Blethyn has now achieved.
Born in 1946 in Ramsgate, Kent, England, she started her career at British Rail in the 1960s. Saving money during her time there, she took a risk and enrolled herself at the at The Guildford School of Acting in Guildford, Surrey, England and then left her British Rail years behind. Her risk had paid off, by the mid-1970s she was working on stage, eventually joining the National Theatre Company in 1975.
It was the 1980s, however that saw Brenda move onto the small screen when she appeared in a BBC2 Playhouse presentation called Grown-Ups (1980), playing the character Gloria. Other work in television quickly followed and this kept her working throughout the 1980s.
She still remained relatively unknown with the viewing public during the 1980s, despite her consistent work and superb acting abilities. It was not until the dawn of the 90s that her career took off. In 1990, she played the supporting cast member role of Mrs Jenkins in film based on the Roald Dahl novel The Witches (1990), with Anjelica Huston, Jane Horrocks and Mai Zetterling. Film work now became the order of the day in the early 90s, appearing in both A River Runs Through It (1992) and the television film The Bullion Boys (1993). It was then back to a TV series in 1994, with Outside Edge (1994), working on this production for its two-year run.
It is without a doubt that 1997 will be remembered as her biggest year to date. She was cast by her old friend Mike Leigh in the film Secrets & Lies (1996) as Cynthia Rose Purley, opposite highly talented Marianne Jean-Baptiste. The film received storming reviews and Blethyn won a BAFTA Film Award and subsequently received an Academy Award nomination for her role, along with Jean-Baptiste.
Although Brenda came home from the Oscars empty handed, her profile in Hollywood and Britain soared as a result of the nomination and her appearance on The 69th Annual Academy Awards (1997).
Film roles then came thick and fast following Secrets & Lies (1996). Brenda was nothing short of superb in Little Voice (1998). A second Academy Award nomination followed but once again she was the bridesmaid rather than the bride at the Oscars. Since 1996, she has found a new home in film and she has worked consistently in the medium.- Actress
- Camera and Electrical Department
A leading lady on screen, stage and sometimes television, Brenda Vaccaro, was born in Brooklyn but was actually raised in Dallas, Texas.
Her appetite for acting increased following several appearances in high school productions, and she finally started a professional career in the 1960s. Memorable to many in Supergirl (1984), she was nominated for a best supporting actress Oscar in Once Is Not Enough (1975).
Recently appeared in Just Desserts (2004).- Blonde, beautiful and extremely likable are some of the many ways to describe Carol Hawkins.
She first appeared on the screen in The Body Stealers (1969) and in a few other films following her debut. However, it is for her 'Carry On...' film work which she is best remembered throughout the 1970s, together with her role as Sharon Eversleigh in the TV series, Please Sir! (1968).
Appearing in the very successful Carry on Abroad (1972) as Marge, her character was paired with 'Lily' played by Sally Geeson, both of whom go off to the Spanish Island, with the rest of the 'Carry On...' gang, looking for love. Her contribution to the film was an important one and her character is enjoyable to watch on-screen.
Her performance was so successful that she was asked back to be Sandra in Carry on Behind (1975). Although, not the best of the Carry On films she was certainly memorable.
In addition to appearing in two Carry On films, she had also appeared in Carry on Again Christmas (1970).
Carol also appeared as a supporting player in the Carry on Laughing (1975) television series. Her place in 'Carry On...' history as a supporting 'Carry Oner' is certainly sealed.
In recent years, and with the decline of the British film industry, Carol found work in television in comedy series like My Husband and I (1987). It is a shame that she has not done more work on television, however she did appear in Doctors (2000) in 2004 playing "Pam Jordan" in an episode called "Getting On".
In recent times, Carol has appeared at some of the memorabilia events at the NEC in Birmingham. - Blonde; game for a laugh; much-loved Northern Irish children's TV presenter and daughter of TV star Gloria Hunniford who is best remembered for presenting Blue Peter (1958).
Caron was one of the most popular Blue Peter presenters in the show's long history. She gave the show a modern edge during her four year stint on the show between 1986-1990, teamed with Yvette Fielding, Mark Curry and John Leslie. Often seen doing daring challenges for the show such as riding on top of a by-plane in mid-flight; jumping under freezing waterfalls, diving with sharks, and abseiling down cliffs and skyscrapers. She was known for her sense of fashion and enabled the show to overcome its rather twee image, with a rather memorable over-hairsprayed look.
After leaving Blue Peter in 1990 she found other work, mainly on BBC Television shows such as Summer Scene (1992) and Holiday (1969).
It is often said that Children's Television presenters find it difficult to 'grow up' in TV words and find the transition to adult television difficult. Not Caron, she was perfectly cast on This Morning (1988) as a guest presenter often standing in for husband and wife team, Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan.
Caron suffered a major setback when diagnosed with breast cancer. She sadly disappeared from our television screens after 2001. She died at her mother's home in Sevenoaks, Kent, in April 2004 surrounded by her children and family after losing her battle with the disease.
Her sparkle and intelligence was an inspiration to all children, she belonged to the good old days when children's television presenters didn't feel the need to shout and wear loud clothes to be interesting. Her passing caused an outpouring of tributes to such a genuine, decent, talented and trustworthy television star. - Actress
- Writer
- Soundtrack
A raven-haired, sometimes blonde (particularly in the earlier years) pretty actress, Dilys Laye was capable of a wide range of roles, from straight drama to comedy. She began in the 1950s, like most other British screen actresses of the era, in studio-system-style films. One of her first films was Paper Gallows (1950) and she continued in popular movies like Blue Murder at St. Trinian's (1957) and Doctor at Large (1957).
Today she is often remembered for her appearances in the "Carry On.." films. Her first "Carry On..." appearance was in Carry on Cruising (1962), where along with Esma Cannon she stole many of the best comedy scenes from the regular cast; the bar scene is an example of this. She took over the role at four days' notice when Joan Sims was unable to appear because of ill health. Her next 'Carry On...' appearance saw her take on a sinister and darker role in Carry on Spying (1964) as Lila. She even sang, in a café-bar scene. In Carry on Doctor (1967) she played patient Mavis Winkle, who is searching for love and finds it in the unusual place of the hospital ward, and in Carry on Camping (1969) she appeared alongside "Carry On..." legend Joan Sims. They were perfectly cast together and complement each other's performances throughout the movie.
After that time her work was mainly on the stage with some television and film appearances. She made appearances in soaps such as Coronation Street (1960) and EastEnders (1985). Other character parts included Holby City (1999) and Doctors (2000).
She played Queen Elizabeth II in The Amazing Mrs Pritchard (2006).- Actress
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Esther Jane Williams was born on August 8, 1921 in Inglewood, California. Her youth was spent as a teenage swimming champion and she won three United States National championships. She eventually was spotted by a MGM talent scout while working in a Los Angeles department store. She made her film debut with MGM in an "Andy Hardy" picture called Andy Hardy's Double Life (1942). She became Mickey Rooney's love interest in the movie, and her character was called Sheila Brooks. Following this movie, stardom was not far away. MGM created a special sub-genre for her known as "Aqua Musicals". Her first swimming role was in Bathing Beauty (1944). This was a simple movie compared to her later big splashes such as Million Dollar Mermaid (1952), co-starring Victor Mature and Walter Pidgeon. Esther Williams was often called "America's Mermaid", as it appeared that she could stay underwater forever!
Following the decline of the once lucrative MGM aqua musical, she attempted dramatic roles. The Unguarded Moment (1956), is one example of this new found dramatic confidence. It co-starred George Nader and John Saxon. Also, The Big Show (1961), co-starring Cliff Robertson and Robert Vaughn was another dramatic role. Overall, Esther's acting skills were limited and, as a musical star in the audience's eyes, she was unsuccessful. She retired from the movie industry in the 1960s, returning as a star guest in That's Entertainment! III (1994) discussing her appearance in MGM films. She certainly is recognized today for bringing enjoyment, escapism and entertainment on the big screen and has also a highly successful business in swimwear. Occasional television work discussing her contribution to the film industry is a treat for her fans from time to time.
Esther Williams died at age 91 in her sleep on June 6, 2013 in her home in Los Angeles, California.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Glamourous, blonde, Norwegian actress who added a sparkle to British movies.
Greta Gynt usually played a leading part, and remained at the top of the British cinema from the late 1930s through to the 40s. An opportunity for Greta to experience a Hollywood career came in the early 1950s, but it was too late. She had sadly lost most of the sparkle which kept her at the top in Britain. In Hollywood, her name was often found towards the bottom of a cast list in supporting roles. She returned to Britain making films until 1964.
After retiring from the screen she lived in a luxury Kensington property known simply as 'Mrs Moore' and her career was sadly forgotten when she died in 2000. No television news show covered her passing nor was she honoured at the BAFTA Film awards during the annual tribute to film stars passed away, which was a shame for someone so famous during the 1940s and 50s.- Glamorous, beautiful and petite Jacki Piper was born in Birmingham in 1946 and mainly worked in rep in her earlier part of her career.
In her salad days, she was billed as Jackie Crump, however this name was not considered sophisticated enough for the north of England theatres. Legend has it that Jacki's new stage name was decided upon in the back of a trailer in a traffic jam on the way to a theatre in York.
In 1969, she was called upon by Peter Rogers, the producer of the "Carry On" films. Jacki was cast as June in Carry on Up the Jungle (1970). She became an instant success in the "Carry On" films and her status in the films is certainly secure forever. Jacki was asked back on three other separate occasions and was cast in roles to replace popular actress Angela Douglas who had left the team. Jacki was also put under an exclusive contract during the early 1970s and is a self-confessed fan on "Carry On". She later left show-business to start a family, and actually became pregnant following her last "Carry On".
In recent years, her popularity has been maintained due to the "Carry On" films and she says she receives more fan mail than ever before. It is certainly a waste that we do not see Jacki on our television screens more often. - Actress
- Soundtrack
Joan Sims, the "First Lady of Carry On", was born Irene Joan Marion Sims on 9 May 1930. The daughter of an Essex railway station master, Joan was interested in pursuing show-business, and soon became a familiar face in a growing number of amateur productions. In 1946, Joan first applied to RADA, her audition was unsuccessful. She did succeed in being admitted to the academy's preparatory school, and finally, on her fourth attempt, trained at RADA. She graduated in 1950 at the age of nineteen.
A cameo appearance in Doctor in the House (1954) as the sexually repressed Nurse Rigor Mortis led to Joan being first spotted by Peter Rogers; Rogers' wife Betty E. Box was the producer of the Doctor series, in which Joan herself became a regular.
A few years later, in 1958, Joan received another script from Peter Rogers, it was Carry on Nurse (1959). The film had been a huge success at the box office and in the autumn of that year Rogers and Gerald Thomas began planning a follow up. She went on to appear in 24 of the films, making her the longest serving female member of the team.
She first starred in the following three Carry On films: Carry on Teacher (1959), Carry on Constable (1960) and Carry on Regardless (1961), before taking a break from the next four films to concentrate on stage work. She rejoined the team with Carry on Cleo (1964) and remained all the way through to Carry on Emmannuelle (1978) in 1978.
Ironically, she was never proclaimed Queen of Carry On. This title went to saucy Barbara Windsor, even though she had only appeared in nine Carry On films.
One could argue that her final performances in the Carry On films were rather sentimental, as though she knew that the series was coming to an end and two scenes come to mind. The scene in which she plays cards with Peter Butterworth in Carry on Behind (1975) in his caravan late at night, and also in the launderette where she dances with an early Carry Oner Victor Maddern in Carry on Emmannuelle (1978). Both of these are memorable sentimental film scene stealers.
With the end of the Carry On series in 1978, Joan went on to become a familiar face on TV screens, with ongoing roles in a number of highly successful sitcoms On the Up (1990) and As Time Goes By (1992) and the BBC's prestigious classic drama adaptations such as Martin Chuzzlewit (1994).
Joan's autobiography, High Spirits, was released in 2000. She complains in the last few pages of her book at the lack of information on her on the IMDB trivia page, something that was only significantly expanded after her death.
In her later years she became a cult figure and something of a British National Institution as the only surviving major Carry On star from early days. However, years of heavy drinking took their toll and she suffered in her later years with ill health. She was admitted to Hospital in Chelsea in London in mid 2001 and slipped into a coma. She died on 28 June 2001, with her lifelong friend and Carry On Norah Holland holding her hand.
Following her death, surviving Carry On stars celebrated her achievement in the Carry On films. Barbara Windsor, said at the time of her death, "To me she was the last of the great Carry Ons, she was there at the beginning. Her talent was wonderful, she could do any accent, dialect, she could dance, sing, play dowdy and glam. We laughed all the time and giggled a lot. I will sorely miss her." That quote is so true, throughout her whole Carry On career she alone stands apart as the most versatile actress in the whole series. She was never typecast in the films like the other actors and actresses.
Others also paid tribute, even ex-Government Cabinet Ministers. Her agent Richard Hatton said, "It's wonderful to be able to say that she really did have all the qualities that her many fans would have wished. A great sense of humour, a sympathetic and endearing personality, terrific talent and consideration for others.
"Over and above this, she discovered a new side of herself when she wrote her autobiography last year, which was untypical for the genre - honest, frank and intelligent. Everyone who knew her is going to remember her forever."- Actor
- Director
- Composer
Tall, versatile, brown-haired (now balding) supporting actor, John Clive has been in a number of famous movies throughout his career. His first film was Smashing Time (1967), which was followed by a role in The Beatles' movie, Yellow Submarine (1968), when he was called upon to dub John Lennon's voice. Appearing in the The Italian Job (1969) was also something of an achievement for this versatile actor. He appeared the controversial but landmark A Clockwork Orange (1971), two years later. For "Carry On..." fans he is best remembered for playing the first openly gay character in the series. The character,"Robin", goes on holiday with his partner "Nicholas" in Carry on Abroad (1972), but unfortunately the characters fall out in the film and Robin is left on his own at the end of the holiday. Another good performance in Carry on Dick (1974) followed.
John is not seen in film so much anymore, but he remains a successful performer in many stage productions and is also a successful author. He shares his free time between two properties in London and Spain.- Born in 1943 in Hampstead, London, Margaret Nolan had a career as a glamour model under the name of Vicky Kennedy, even posing for Playboy magazine. Entering films in 1963 in Saturday Night Out (1964) saw her catapulted into Goldfinger (1964). Often cast mainly for her fabulous buxom figure and good looks, Margaret was perfectly cast in Carry on Girls (1973), made six "Carry On..." performances in all and was very successful in all of her roles, displaying good comedy acting skills. Nolan is probably best remembered for her role as 'Dink' in Goldfinger (1964), and for her "Carry On..." film roles. Margaret Nolan died on October 5, 2020, aged 76, in London from cancer.
- Actress
- Producer
Martha Ellen Scott was born in Jamesport, Missouri, to Letha (McKinley) and Walter Alva Scott, an engineer and garage owner. She entered films in the early 1940s, following an initial appearance in stock. Her first film appearance was Our Town (1940), playing the same character as she played on the stage. She won an Academy Award nomination for her superb performance in the film. Martha Scott is remembered as a highly talented actress, however her work is often forgotten today as she was never seen as a truly bankable star by the major studios.
A recent memorable performance for Martha was as Sister Beatrice in the camp disaster movie Airport 1975 (1974). She played a dominant experienced nun with Helen Reddy, in a cast of major stars facing disaster on the stricken Boeing 747 jetliner.
She continued to work consistently throughout the 1970s and 1980s, often appearing in television movies and on the stage. She died at the age of 90 in May 2003 and is buried with her husband Mel Powell.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Mercedes McCambridge was a highly talented radio performer who won a best supporting Actress Oscar for her film debut.
Mercedes McCambridge was born in Joliet, Illinois, to Marie (Mahaffry) and John Patrick McCambridge, a farmer. She was of mostly Irish (with a small amount of English and German) ancestry. Despite a career full of supporting roles, she later became something of a cult figure. Her memorable voice-over for the demon child in The Exorcist (1973) has secured her place in movie history. Ironically, she took Warner Bros. to court over her being uncredited for the role, which was probably the most important in the film.
Mercedes enjoyed a quiet retirement starting from the early 1980s. She was a special guest star at the 70th Annual Anniversary Academy Awards in 1998 along with many other Oscar winners. Mercedes also made special television appearances to discuss her role in The Exorcist (1973) at the 30th Anniversary of the film's release.
She died in La Jolla in California on 2nd March 2004 from natural causes.- Academy Award-winning, legendary English actress - who maintained her status in the British acting elite for decades. Made a Dame of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 1956. Almost always on stage, she appeared rarely in film, her first being The Wandering Jew (1933). On stage she was cast in many a Shakespearean role, but in film she usually played sympathetic characters. She won an Oscar for A Passage to India (1984), and her last TV film was She's Been Away (1989). She died from a stroke.
- Rusty marks is Romani American living in Montana rusty is a bounty hunter who looks for Romani gypsies who are on the run where the police can't find they call rusty marks Rusty work with law enforcement to bring In Romani gypsies who are wanted rusty became known as the gypsy hunter rusty is also a good cook he cooks all kinds of food rusty marks is also one of the Romani leaders
- Petite, raven haired (now blonde) and fresh faced, Sally Geeson is best remembered for her role in the television series Bless This House (1971) playing the part of Sally Abbott, opposite Sidney James and Diana Coupland.
She was perfectly cast in the 1972 Carry On caper, Carry on Abroad (1972), playing the part of Lily, along with her friend Marge played by Carol Hawkins. Both their characters head for the Spanish island of Ells Bells in the movie, in search of a man to fall in love with.
Her success in this Carry On film, followed with another appearance in Carry on Girls (1973) playing a domineering television production assistant.
Now retired from acting, she has found a new life as a school teacher. - Blonde, husky voiced Vivienne Johnson is best remembered for her stint as Mr Grace's Nurse in the smash hit comedy series Are You Being Served? (1972). Her three years of work in the popular series made her a well-known face with British TV viewers in the late 1970s and early 80s. Although superb in the role, some may argue she was there for decoration rather than acting. It was a shame her character was not fully developed and remained nameless throughout.
Vivienne was also a minor "Carry On..." star, appearing in Carry on England (1976) and the Carry on Laughing (1975) television series. It would appear that her main work was done in the 1970s and she may now have retired from the screen.