Renée Houston: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Scottish comedy actress and revue artist}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}} |
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}} |
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{{Use British English|date=September 2015}} |
{{Use British English|date=September 2015}} |
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{{Infobox person |
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[[File:Actress_Renée_Houston.jpg|thumb|right|Renée Houston]] |
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| name = Renée Houston |
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'''Renée Houston''' (24 July 1902 – 9 February 1980) was a [[Scottish people|Scottish]] comedy actress and [[revue]] artist who appeared in television and film roles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/4839|title=Renée Houston|website=Ftvdb.bfi.org.uk|accessdate=26 October 2018}}</ref> |
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| image = Actress_Renée_Houston.jpg |
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| alt = |
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| caption = |
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| birth_name = Katherina Rita Murphy Gribbin |
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| birth_date = {{Birth date|1902|7|24|df=y}} |
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| birth_place = [[Johnstone]], [[Renfrewshire (historic)|Renfrewshire]], Scotland |
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| death_date = {{Death date and age|1980|2|9|1902|7|24|df=y}} |
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| death_place = [[Brinsworth House]], [[Twickenham]], [[England]] |
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| nationality = Scottish |
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| other_names = |
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| occupation = Actress, comedian |
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| years_active = 1910s–1980 |
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| known_for = |
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| notable_works = |
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}} |
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'''Renée Houston''' (born '''Katherina Rita Murphy Gribbin''';<ref name=baker/> 24 July 1902 – 9 February 1980) was a Scottish comedy actress and [[revue]] artist who appeared in television and film roles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/4839|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080426011614/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/4839|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 April 2008|title=Renée Houston|website=Ftvdb.bfi.org.uk|access-date=26 October 2018}}</ref> |
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Born in [[Johnstone]], [[Renfrewshire]], as '''Katherina Houston Gribbin'''<ref name="Clarke">{{Cite book|title=Pseudonyms|author=Joseph F. Clarke|publisher=BCA|date=1977|page=86}}</ref> she toured [[music halls]] and revues with her sister Billie Houston as the "Houston Sisters".<ref>https://universityofglasgowlibrary.wordpress.com/2015/05/18/the-houston-sisters-back-in-the-spotlight/</ref> |
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==Biography== |
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In 1926, the sisters made a short musical film, the script of which Renée had written. It was produced by [[Lee De Forest]], whose process, [[Phonofilm]], enabled a soundtrack to be played alongside the film (a year before ''[[The Jazz Singer]]'').<ref>https://www.britishpathe.com/video/a-match-or-two-two-little-tricks-by-the-houston</ref><ref>https://reneehoustonsite.wordpress.com/film-career/</ref><ref>https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=9NX_8KbH89oC&pg=PA27&lpg=PA27&dq=houston+sisters+short+film+1926&source=bl&ots=VS4AV85whk&sig=ACfU3U1KbNCaApDp0nm9E2nduBVl2LEK-A&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjj2PXQ1IfhAhXuThUIHYfBA40Q6AEwFXoECAEQAQ#v=onepage&q=houston%20sisters%20short%20film%201926&f=false</ref> |
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Born in [[Johnstone]], [[Renfrewshire (historic)|Renfrewshire]], into a theatrical family who performed as James Houston and Company,<ref name=hudd>Roy Hudd and Philip Hindin, ''Roy Hudd's Cavalcade of Variety Acts'', Robson Books, 1998, {{ISBN|1-86105-206-5}}, pp.84-85</ref> she toured [[music halls]] and revues with her sister Billie Houston (born Sarah McMahon Gribbin; 1906–1972) as the "Houston Sisters".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://universityofglasgowlibrary.wordpress.com/2015/05/18/the-houston-sisters-back-in-the-spotlight/|title=The Houston Sisters: Back in the Spotlight|last=clairemckendrick|date=18 May 2015|publisher=}}</ref> They became a leading [[variety show|variety]] act in the 1920s, sometimes performing as two children in over-sized furniture; Billie played the part of a boy.<ref name=hudd/> |
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In 1926, the sisters made a short musical film, the script of which Renée had written. It was produced by [[Lee De Forest]], whose process, [[Phonofilm]], enabled a soundtrack to be played alongside the film (a year before ''[[The Jazz Singer]]'').<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishpathe.com/video/a-match-or-two-two-little-tricks-by-the-houston|title=A Match Or Two - Two Little Tricks By The Houston Sisters|first=British|last=Pathé|website=www.britishpathe.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://reneehoustonsite.wordpress.com/film-career/|title=Film Career|date=23 February 2017|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9NX_8KbH89oC&q=houston+sisters+short+film+1926&pg=PA27|title=The British Musical Film|first=John|last=Mundy|date=15 July 2007|publisher=Manchester University Press|isbn=9780719063213|via=Google Books}}</ref> The sisters ended their working partnership in 1936, when Billie reportedly became ill,<ref name=hudd/> although it is suggested that the split may have been due to the sisters' frequent disagreements.<ref name=baker>Richard Anthony Baker, ''Old Time Variety: an illustrated history'', Pen & Sword, 2011, {{ISBN|978-1-78340-066-9}}, pp.28-30</ref> |
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Houston married three times, the second was to the actor [[Pat Aherne]], the brother of [[Brian Aherne]].<ref>https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=lXnXDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA369&lpg=PA369&dq=houston+sisters+short+film+1926&source=bl&ots=E8QVtPFTQq&sig=ACfU3U1pIg9mCvQf2p0tZ6waiKnI1jAkvg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjj2PXQ1IfhAhXuThUIHYfBA40Q6AEwF3oECAgQAQ#v=onepage&q=houston%20sisters%20short%20film%201926&f=false</ref> Her third husband was the actor [[Donald Stewart (actor)|Donald Stewart]].<ref>http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-49223</ref> |
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Renee Houston continued as a solo comedienne and actress, appearing in the [[Noel Gay]] [[revue]] ''Love Laughs!''. She eventually revived her double act, this time with her third husband, the actor [[Donald Stewart (actor)|Donald Stewart]], until his death in 1966.<ref name=hudd/> |
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In her later years, she specialised in "[[Battle-axe (woman)|battleaxe]]" roles, notably as [[shop steward]] Vic Spanner's ([[Kenneth Cope]]) formidable mother in ''[[Carry On at Your Convenience]]'' (1971).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/carry-on-at-your-convenience-v8373/cast-crew|title=Carry On at Your Convenience (1971) - Gerald Thomas - Cast and Crew|website=AllMovie}}</ref> She also worked for director [[Roman Polanski]] in ''[[Repulsion (film)|Repulsion]]'' (1965) and ''[[Cul-de-sac (1966 film)|Cul-de-sac]]'' (1966).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6b42e4b1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419230001/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6b42e4b1|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 April 2016|title=Repulsion (1965)|website=BFI}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6a83e56d|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811125819/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6a83e56d|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 August 2016|title=Cul-de-sac (1966)|website=BFI}}</ref> She published her autobiography in 1974 which was entitled ''Don't Fence Me In''.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lXnXDQAAQBAJ&q=renee+houston+don%27t+fence+me+in&pg=PA728|title=The Encyclopedia of British Film: Fourth edition|first=Brian|last=McFarlane|date=16 May 2016|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9781526111975|via=Google Books}}</ref> |
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Houston was also in early episodes of radio's ''[[The Clitheroe Kid]]'', playing his Scottish mother in half a dozen 1958 broadcasts (but the role was quickly recast to use an English actress instead), and was a regular guest on radio panel show ''[[Petticoat Line]]'' chaired by [[Anona Winn]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/c1cc488fb52a4d02bea83176d2ea78a2|title=Jimmy Clitheroe as 'THE CLITHEROE KID'|date=2 May 1958|publisher=|issue=1799|pages=31|via=BBC Genome}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/214b3a9b912642d59f1edc826a9e1ffd|title=Petticoat Line|date=28 September 1967|publisher=|issue=2290|pages=68|via=BBC Genome}}</ref> According to entertainment historian [[Richard Anthony Baker]]: "So many listeners found her forthright language unacceptable that she was eventually limited to two swear words per show."<ref name=baker/> |
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In her later years, she specialised in "[[Battle-axe (woman)|battleaxe]]" roles, notably as [[shop steward]] Vic Spanner's ([[Kenneth Cope]]) formidable mother in ''[[Carry On at Your Convenience]]'' (1971).<ref>https://www.allmovie.com/movie/carry-on-at-your-convenience-v8373/cast-crew</ref> She also worked for director [[Roman Polanski]] in ''[[Repulsion (film)|Repulsion]]'' (1965) and ''[[Cul-de-sac (1966 film)|Cul-de-sac ]]'' (1966).<ref>https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6b42e4b1</ref><ref>https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6a83e56d</ref> She published her autobiography in 1974 which was entitled ''Don't Fence Me In''.<ref>https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=lXnXDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA728&lpg=PA728&dq=renee+houston+don%27t+fence+me+in&source=bl&ots=E8QVtPDVUm&sig=ACfU3U08b1-HP3SusBtkATH4O2KHX8WA5g&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjqqf-HzofhAhUQSBUIHW1_CPwQ6AEwBXoECAQQAQ#v=onepage&q=renee%20houston%20don't%20fence%20me%20in&f=false</ref> |
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She died in [[London]] at the age of 77 on 9 February 1980. Houston was married three times. The second was to the actor [[Pat Aherne]], the brother of [[Brian Aherne]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lXnXDQAAQBAJ&q=houston+sisters+short+film+1926&pg=PA369|title=The Encyclopedia of British Film: Fourth edition|first=Brian|last=McFarlane|date=16 May 2016|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9781526111975|via=Google Books}}</ref> Her third husband was the actor [[Donald Stewart (actor)|Donald Stewart]].<ref>{{cite ODNB|url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-49223|title=Houston, Renée [real name Caterina Rita Murphy Gribbin] (1902–1980), actress |year=2004 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/49223}}</ref> |
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Houston was also in the early episodes of radio's ''[[The Clitheroe Kid]]'' and a regular guest on radio panel show ''The Petticoat Line'' chaired by [[Anona Winn]].<ref>https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/c1cc488fb52a4d02bea83176d2ea78a2</ref><ref>https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/214b3a9b912642d59f1edc826a9e1ffd</ref> |
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== Filmography == |
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She died in [[London]] at the age of 77 on 9 February 1980. |
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===Film=== |
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==Selected filmography== |
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{| class="wikitable sortable" |
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'''Films''' |
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{{div col|colwidth=30em}} |
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! Year |
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* ''[[Blighty (film)|Blighty]]'' (1927) - Typist |
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! Title |
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* ''Come Into My Parlour'' (1932) - Jenny MacDonald |
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! Role |
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* ''[[Their Night Out]]'' (1933) - Maggie Oliphant |
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! class="unsortable" | Notes |
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* ''Radio Parade'' (1933) |
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|- |
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* ''[[Lost in the Legion]]'' (1934) - Mary McFee |
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|1932 |
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* ''Mister Cinders'' (1934) - Mrs. Phipps |
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|''[[Come Into My Parlour]]'' |
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|Jenny MacDonald |
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* ''[[Happy Days Are Here Again (film)|Happy Days are Here Again]]'' (1936) - Kitty Seymour |
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| |
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* ''[[Fine Feathers (1937 film)|Fine Feathers]]'' (1937) - Teenie McPherson |
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|- |
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* ''[[A Girl Must Live]]'' (1939) - Gloria Lind |
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|1933 |
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* ''[[Old Bill & Son]]'' (1941) - Stella Malloy |
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|''[[Their Night Out]]'' |
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* ''[[The Peterville Diamond]]'' (1942) - Lady Margaret |
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|Maggie Oliphant |
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* ''[[Two Thousand Women]]'' (1944) - Maud Wright |
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| |
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* ''[[Lady Godiva Rides Again]]'' (1951) - Beattie |
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|- |
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* ''[[The Belles of St Trinian's]]'' (1954) - Miss Brimmer |
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| 1933 |
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* ''[[Track the Man Down]]'' (1955) - Pat Sherwood |
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|''[[Radio Parade]]'' |
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* ''[[A Town Like Alice (1956 film)|A Town Like Alice]]'' (1956) - Ebbey |
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|Herself |
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* ''[[It's a Wonderful World (1956 film)|It's a Wonderful World]]'' - New Neighbour (uncredited) |
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| |
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* ''[[Time Without Pity]]'' (1956) - Mrs. Harker |
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|- |
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* ''[[The Adventures of Robin Hood (TV series)|The Adventures of Robin Hood]]'' (1958) - Little John's Mother |
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|1934 |
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* ''[[The Big Money (film)|The Big Money]]'' (1958) - Bobbie |
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|''[[Lost in the Legion]]'' |
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* ''[[The Horse's Mouth (film)|The Horse's Mouth]]'' (1958) - Sara Monday |
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|Mary McFee |
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* ''Them Nice Americans'' (1958) - Mrs. Adams |
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| |
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* ''[[And the Same to You]]'' (1960) - Mildred Pomphret |
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|- |
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* ''[[The Flesh and the Fiends]]'' (1960) - Helen Burke |
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|1934 |
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* ''[[Three on a Spree]]'' (1961) - Mrs. Gray |
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|''[[Mr. Cinders]]'' |
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* ''[[Watch it, Sailor!]]'' (1961) - Mrs. Mottram |
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|Mrs. Phipps |
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* ''[[No My Darling Daughter]]'' (1961) - Miss Yarldey |
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| |
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* ''[[Twice Round the Daffodils]]'' (1962) - Matron |
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|- |
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* ''[[The Phantom of the Opera (1962 film)|The Phantom of the Opera]]'' (1962) - Mrs. Tucker |
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|1935 |
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* ''[[Out of the Fog (1962 film)|Out of the Fog]]'' (1962) - Ma Johnson |
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|''[[No Monkey Business]]'' |
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* ''[[Nurse on Wheels]]'' (1963) - Mrs. Beacon |
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|Jessie |
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* ''[[Carry On Cabby]]'' (1963) - Molly<ref>{{cite book |last=Ross |first=Robert |title=The Carry On Companion |year=1998 |origyear=1996 |publisher=Batsford |location=London |isbn=0-7134-8439-X |page=38 |ref=harv }}</ref> |
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| |
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* ''[[Carry On Spying]]'' (1964) - Madame<ref>{{harvnb|Ross|1998|p=45}}</ref> |
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|- |
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* ''[[Repulsion (film)|Repulsion]]'' (1965) - Miss Balch |
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|1936 |
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* ''[[Tomorrow at Ten]]'' (1965) - Mrs. Maddock |
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|''Happy Days Revue'' |
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* ''[[The Idol (1966 film)|The Idol]]'' (1966) - 1st Woman at Party |
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|Kitty Seymour |
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* ''[[Secrets of a Windmill Girl]]'' (1966) - Molly - Dresser |
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| |
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* ''[[Cul-de-sac (1966 film)|Cul-de-sac]]'' (1966) - Christopher's Mother |
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|- |
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* ''[[The Spy with a Cold Nose]]'' (1966) - Lady Blanchflower (uncredited) |
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|1937 |
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* ''[[Carry On at Your Convenience]]'' (1971) - Agatha Spanner<ref>{{harvnb|Ross|1998|p=99}}</ref> |
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|''[[Fine Feathers (1937 film)|Fine Feathers]]'' |
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* ''[[Legend of the Werewolf]]'' (1975) - Chou-Chou (Last appearance) |
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|Teenie McPherson |
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{{div col end}} |
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| |
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'''Television''' |
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|- |
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* ''[[Maigret]]'' (1960) - Madame Ja Ja |
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|1939 |
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* ''[[Z-Cars]]'' (1963) - Big Rosie |
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|''{{sortname|A|Girl Must Live}}'' |
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* ''[[The Saint (TV series)|The Saint]]'' (1964) - Ida Warshed / Mrs. McAlister |
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|Gloria Lind |
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* ''[[Dixon of Dock Green]]'' (1966) - Mrs. Loman |
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| |
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* ''[[Doctor in the House]]'' (1969) - Mrs. Muir |
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|- |
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* ''[[Special Branch]]'' (1973) - Scotswoman |
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|1941 |
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|''[[Old Bill and Son]]'' |
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|Stella Malloy |
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| |
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|- |
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|1943 |
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|''{{sortname|The|Peterville Diamond}}'' |
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|Lady Margaret |
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| |
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|- |
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|1944 |
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|''[[Two Thousand Women]]'' |
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|Maud Wright |
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| |
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|- |
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|1951 |
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|''[[Lady Godiva Rides Again]]'' |
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|Beattie |
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|AKA, ''Bikini Baby'' |
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|- |
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|1954 |
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|''{{sortname|The|Belles of St. Trinian's}}'' |
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|Miss Brimmer |
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| |
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|- |
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|1955 |
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|''[[Track the Man Down]]'' |
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|Pat Sherwood |
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| |
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|- |
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|1956 |
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|''{{sortname|A|Town Like Alice|A Town Like Alice (film)}}'' |
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|Ebbey |
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| |
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|- |
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|1956 |
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|''{{sortname|The|Big Money|The Big Money (film)}}'' |
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|Bobbie |
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| |
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|- |
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|1957 |
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|''[[Time Without Pity]]'' |
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|Mrs. Harker |
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| |
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|- |
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|1958 |
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|''{{sortname|The|Horse's Mouth|The Horse's Mouth (film)}}'' |
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|Sara Monday |
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| |
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|- |
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|1958 |
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|''[[Them Nice Americans]]'' |
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|Mrs. Adams |
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| |
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|- |
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|1960 |
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|''{{sortname|The|Flesh and the Fiends}}'' |
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|Helen Burke |
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| |
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|- |
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|1960 |
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|''[[And the Same to You]]'' |
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|Mildred Pomphret |
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| |
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|- |
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|1961 |
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|''[[Three on a Spree]]'' |
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|Mrs. Gray |
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| |
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|- |
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|1961 |
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|''[[Watch It, Sailor!]]'' |
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|Mrs. Mottram |
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| |
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|- |
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|1961 |
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|''[[No My Darling Daughter]]'' |
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|Miss Yardley |
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| |
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|- |
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|1962 |
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|''{{sortname|The|Phantom of the Opera|The Phantom of the Opera (1962 film)}}'' |
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|Mrs. Tucker |
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| |
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|- |
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|1962 |
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|''Fog for the Killer'' |
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|Ma Johnson |
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| |
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|- |
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|1963 |
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|''[[Nurse on Wheels]]'' |
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|Mrs. Beacon |
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| |
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|- |
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|1963 |
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|''{{sortname|The|Rescue Squad|nolink=1}}'' |
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|Mrs. Manse |
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| |
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|- |
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|1963 |
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|''[[Tomorrow at Ten]]'' |
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|Masie Maddox |
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| |
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|- |
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|1963 |
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|''[[Carry On Cabby]]'' |
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|Molly |
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| |
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|- |
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|1964 |
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|''[[Carry On Spying]]'' |
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|Madame |
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| |
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|- |
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|1965 |
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|''[[Repulsion (film)|Repulsion]]'' |
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|Miss Balch |
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| |
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|- |
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|1966 |
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|''[[Cul-de-sac (1966 film)|Cul-de-sac]]'' |
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|Christopher's Mother |
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| |
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|- |
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|1966 |
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|''[[Secrets of a Windmill Girl]]'' |
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|Molly |
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| |
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|- |
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|1966 |
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|''{{sortname|The|Spy with a Cold Nose}}'' |
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|Lady Blanchflower |
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| |
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|- |
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|1971 |
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|''[[Carry On at Your Convenience]]'' |
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|Agatha Spanner |
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| |
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|- |
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|1975 |
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|''[[Legend of the Werewolf]]'' |
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|Chou-Chou |
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| |
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|} |
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===Television=== |
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{| class="wikitable sortable" |
|||
|- |
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! Year |
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! Title |
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! Role |
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! class="unsortable" | Notes |
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|- |
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|1956–57 |
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|''ITV Television Playhouse'' |
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|Mrs. MacDonald, Marthy |
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|Episodes: "The Blood Is Strong", "Anna Christie" |
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|- |
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|1957 |
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|''{{sortname|The|Errol Flynn Theatre}}'' |
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|Mrs. Bridie |
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|Episode: "Take the High Road" |
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|- |
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|1957 |
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|''[[Armchair Theatre]]'' |
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|Ethel Watts |
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|Episode: "Rappaport Always Pays" |
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|- |
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|1957 |
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|''[[Anna Christie]]'' |
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|Marthy |
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|TV film |
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|- |
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|1957–58 |
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|''[[Sunday Night Theatre]]'' |
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|Vi Vining, Bessie |
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|Episodes: "The Day's Mischief", "A Nest of Robins" |
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|- |
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|1960 |
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|''[[Maigret (1960 TV series)|Maigret]]'' |
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|Madame Ja Ja |
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|Episode: "Liberty Bar" |
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|- |
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|1960–61 |
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|''[[No Hiding Place]]'' |
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|Grannie Wheedon, Mrs. Lacey |
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|Episodes: "Footsteps on the Ceiling", "Fever" |
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|- |
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|1961 |
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|''Doctor Knock'' |
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|Madame Remy |
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|Episode: "Act 3" |
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|- |
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|1962 |
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|''Dinner with the Family'' |
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|Madame de Montrachet |
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|TV film |
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|- |
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|1962 |
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|''{{sortname|A|Matter of Conscience|nolink=1}}'' |
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|Korableva |
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|TV film |
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|- |
|||
|1962 |
|||
|''[[Man of the World (TV series)|Man of the World]]'' |
|||
|Mrs. Van Kempson |
|||
|Episode: "The Runaways" |
|||
|- |
|||
|1963 |
|||
|''[[Z-Cars]]'' |
|||
|Big Rosie |
|||
|Episode: "Scare" |
|||
|- |
|||
|1963 |
|||
|''[[Taxi! (British TV series)|Taxi!]]'' |
|||
|Gig Lambert |
|||
|Episode: "Barricades in Bailey Street" |
|||
|- |
|||
|1963–64 |
|||
|''{{sortname|The|Saint|The Saint (TV series)}}'' |
|||
|Ida Warshed, Mrs. McAlister |
|||
|Episodes: "The Gentle Ladies", "The Wonderful War" |
|||
|- |
|||
|1964, 1967 |
|||
|''[[Dr. Finlay's Casebook]]'' |
|||
|Mrs. Bright, Mrs. Johnston |
|||
|Episodes: "My Late Dear Husband", "Over My Dead Body" |
|||
|- |
|||
|1966 |
|||
|''[[Dixon of Dock Green]]'' |
|||
|Mrs. Loman |
|||
|Episode: "Death of a Donkeyman" |
|||
|- |
|||
|1966 |
|||
|''[[ITV Play of the Week]]'' |
|||
|Mother Brinicombe |
|||
|Episode: "The First Thunder" |
|||
|- |
|||
|1966 |
|||
|''Knock on Any Door'' |
|||
|Marion Scoullar |
|||
|Episode: "The Dear Ones" |
|||
|- |
|||
|1967 |
|||
|''Trapped'' |
|||
|Ivy |
|||
|Episode: "Goodnight Mrs Dill" |
|||
|- |
|||
|1967 |
|||
|''River Rivals'' |
|||
|Mrs. Fredericks |
|||
|TV series |
|||
|- |
|||
|1969 |
|||
|''W. Somerset Maugham'' |
|||
|"Frank" Hickson |
|||
|Episode: "The Three Fat Women of Antibes" |
|||
|- |
|||
|1969 |
|||
|''[[Doctor in the House (TV series)|Doctor in the House]]'' |
|||
|Mrs. Muir |
|||
|Episodes: "Peace and Quiet", "If In Doubt - Cut It Out!" |
|||
|- |
|||
|1969 |
|||
|''[[ITV Sunday Night Theatre]]'' |
|||
|Olive |
|||
|Episode: "The Comic" |
|||
|- |
|||
|1973 |
|||
|''[[Special Branch (TV series)|Special Branch]]'' |
|||
|Scotswoman |
|||
|Episode: "You Won't Remember Me" |
|||
|} |
|||
==References== |
==References== |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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* {{IMDb name|id=0396881 |
* {{IMDb name|id=0396881}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:Scottish film actresses]] |
[[Category:Scottish film actresses]] |
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[[Category:Scottish television actresses]] |
[[Category:Scottish television actresses]] |
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[[Category:Scottish women comedians]] |
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[[Category:Vaudeville performers]] |
[[Category:Vaudeville performers]] |
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[[Category:People from Johnstone]] |
[[Category:People from Johnstone]] |
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[[Category:20th-century Scottish actresses]] |
[[Category:20th-century Scottish actresses]] |
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[[Category:20th-century comedians]] |
[[Category:20th-century Scottish comedians]] |
Latest revision as of 14:15, 14 May 2024
Renée Houston | |
---|---|
Born | Katherina Rita Murphy Gribbin 24 July 1902 Johnstone, Renfrewshire, Scotland |
Died | 9 February 1980 | (aged 77)
Nationality | Scottish |
Occupation(s) | Actress, comedian |
Years active | 1910s–1980 |
Renée Houston (born Katherina Rita Murphy Gribbin;[1] 24 July 1902 – 9 February 1980) was a Scottish comedy actress and revue artist who appeared in television and film roles.[2]
Biography[edit]
Born in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, into a theatrical family who performed as James Houston and Company,[3] she toured music halls and revues with her sister Billie Houston (born Sarah McMahon Gribbin; 1906–1972) as the "Houston Sisters".[4] They became a leading variety act in the 1920s, sometimes performing as two children in over-sized furniture; Billie played the part of a boy.[3]
In 1926, the sisters made a short musical film, the script of which Renée had written. It was produced by Lee De Forest, whose process, Phonofilm, enabled a soundtrack to be played alongside the film (a year before The Jazz Singer).[5][6][7] The sisters ended their working partnership in 1936, when Billie reportedly became ill,[3] although it is suggested that the split may have been due to the sisters' frequent disagreements.[1]
Renee Houston continued as a solo comedienne and actress, appearing in the Noel Gay revue Love Laughs!. She eventually revived her double act, this time with her third husband, the actor Donald Stewart, until his death in 1966.[3]
In her later years, she specialised in "battleaxe" roles, notably as shop steward Vic Spanner's (Kenneth Cope) formidable mother in Carry On at Your Convenience (1971).[8] She also worked for director Roman Polanski in Repulsion (1965) and Cul-de-sac (1966).[9][10] She published her autobiography in 1974 which was entitled Don't Fence Me In.[11]
Houston was also in early episodes of radio's The Clitheroe Kid, playing his Scottish mother in half a dozen 1958 broadcasts (but the role was quickly recast to use an English actress instead), and was a regular guest on radio panel show Petticoat Line chaired by Anona Winn.[12][13] According to entertainment historian Richard Anthony Baker: "So many listeners found her forthright language unacceptable that she was eventually limited to two swear words per show."[1]
She died in London at the age of 77 on 9 February 1980. Houston was married three times. The second was to the actor Pat Aherne, the brother of Brian Aherne.[14] Her third husband was the actor Donald Stewart.[15]
Filmography[edit]
Film[edit]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1932 | Come Into My Parlour | Jenny MacDonald | |
1933 | Their Night Out | Maggie Oliphant | |
1933 | Radio Parade | Herself | |
1934 | Lost in the Legion | Mary McFee | |
1934 | Mr. Cinders | Mrs. Phipps | |
1935 | No Monkey Business | Jessie | |
1936 | Happy Days Revue | Kitty Seymour | |
1937 | Fine Feathers | Teenie McPherson | |
1939 | A Girl Must Live | Gloria Lind | |
1941 | Old Bill and Son | Stella Malloy | |
1943 | The Peterville Diamond | Lady Margaret | |
1944 | Two Thousand Women | Maud Wright | |
1951 | Lady Godiva Rides Again | Beattie | AKA, Bikini Baby |
1954 | The Belles of St. Trinian's | Miss Brimmer | |
1955 | Track the Man Down | Pat Sherwood | |
1956 | A Town Like Alice | Ebbey | |
1956 | The Big Money | Bobbie | |
1957 | Time Without Pity | Mrs. Harker | |
1958 | The Horse's Mouth | Sara Monday | |
1958 | Them Nice Americans | Mrs. Adams | |
1960 | The Flesh and the Fiends | Helen Burke | |
1960 | And the Same to You | Mildred Pomphret | |
1961 | Three on a Spree | Mrs. Gray | |
1961 | Watch It, Sailor! | Mrs. Mottram | |
1961 | No My Darling Daughter | Miss Yardley | |
1962 | The Phantom of the Opera | Mrs. Tucker | |
1962 | Fog for the Killer | Ma Johnson | |
1963 | Nurse on Wheels | Mrs. Beacon | |
1963 | The Rescue Squad | Mrs. Manse | |
1963 | Tomorrow at Ten | Masie Maddox | |
1963 | Carry On Cabby | Molly | |
1964 | Carry On Spying | Madame | |
1965 | Repulsion | Miss Balch | |
1966 | Cul-de-sac | Christopher's Mother | |
1966 | Secrets of a Windmill Girl | Molly | |
1966 | The Spy with a Cold Nose | Lady Blanchflower | |
1971 | Carry On at Your Convenience | Agatha Spanner | |
1975 | Legend of the Werewolf | Chou-Chou |
Television[edit]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1956–57 | ITV Television Playhouse | Mrs. MacDonald, Marthy | Episodes: "The Blood Is Strong", "Anna Christie" |
1957 | The Errol Flynn Theatre | Mrs. Bridie | Episode: "Take the High Road" |
1957 | Armchair Theatre | Ethel Watts | Episode: "Rappaport Always Pays" |
1957 | Anna Christie | Marthy | TV film |
1957–58 | Sunday Night Theatre | Vi Vining, Bessie | Episodes: "The Day's Mischief", "A Nest of Robins" |
1960 | Maigret | Madame Ja Ja | Episode: "Liberty Bar" |
1960–61 | No Hiding Place | Grannie Wheedon, Mrs. Lacey | Episodes: "Footsteps on the Ceiling", "Fever" |
1961 | Doctor Knock | Madame Remy | Episode: "Act 3" |
1962 | Dinner with the Family | Madame de Montrachet | TV film |
1962 | A Matter of Conscience | Korableva | TV film |
1962 | Man of the World | Mrs. Van Kempson | Episode: "The Runaways" |
1963 | Z-Cars | Big Rosie | Episode: "Scare" |
1963 | Taxi! | Gig Lambert | Episode: "Barricades in Bailey Street" |
1963–64 | The Saint | Ida Warshed, Mrs. McAlister | Episodes: "The Gentle Ladies", "The Wonderful War" |
1964, 1967 | Dr. Finlay's Casebook | Mrs. Bright, Mrs. Johnston | Episodes: "My Late Dear Husband", "Over My Dead Body" |
1966 | Dixon of Dock Green | Mrs. Loman | Episode: "Death of a Donkeyman" |
1966 | ITV Play of the Week | Mother Brinicombe | Episode: "The First Thunder" |
1966 | Knock on Any Door | Marion Scoullar | Episode: "The Dear Ones" |
1967 | Trapped | Ivy | Episode: "Goodnight Mrs Dill" |
1967 | River Rivals | Mrs. Fredericks | TV series |
1969 | W. Somerset Maugham | "Frank" Hickson | Episode: "The Three Fat Women of Antibes" |
1969 | Doctor in the House | Mrs. Muir | Episodes: "Peace and Quiet", "If In Doubt - Cut It Out!" |
1969 | ITV Sunday Night Theatre | Olive | Episode: "The Comic" |
1973 | Special Branch | Scotswoman | Episode: "You Won't Remember Me" |
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Richard Anthony Baker, Old Time Variety: an illustrated history, Pen & Sword, 2011, ISBN 978-1-78340-066-9, pp.28-30
- ^ "Renée Houston". Ftvdb.bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 26 April 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
- ^ a b c d Roy Hudd and Philip Hindin, Roy Hudd's Cavalcade of Variety Acts, Robson Books, 1998, ISBN 1-86105-206-5, pp.84-85
- ^ clairemckendrick (18 May 2015). "The Houston Sisters: Back in the Spotlight".
- ^ Pathé, British. "A Match Or Two - Two Little Tricks By The Houston Sisters". www.britishpathe.com.
- ^ "Film Career". 23 February 2017.
- ^ Mundy, John (15 July 2007). The British Musical Film. Manchester University Press. ISBN 9780719063213 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Carry On at Your Convenience (1971) - Gerald Thomas - Cast and Crew". AllMovie.
- ^ "Repulsion (1965)". BFI. Archived from the original on 19 April 2016.
- ^ "Cul-de-sac (1966)". BFI. Archived from the original on 11 August 2016.
- ^ McFarlane, Brian (16 May 2016). The Encyclopedia of British Film: Fourth edition. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9781526111975 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Jimmy Clitheroe as 'THE CLITHEROE KID'". 2 May 1958. p. 31 – via BBC Genome.
- ^ "Petticoat Line". 28 September 1967. p. 68 – via BBC Genome.
- ^ McFarlane, Brian (16 May 2016). The Encyclopedia of British Film: Fourth edition. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9781526111975 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Houston, Renée [real name Caterina Rita Murphy Gribbin] (1902–1980), actress". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. 2004. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/49223. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
Bibliography[edit]
- Halliwell's Who's Who in the Movies HarperCollins ISBN 0-06-093507-3
- Renée Houston: Spirit of the Irresistibles by Miranda Brooke Tempest Time ISBN 978-1-5262-0636-7