Welsh leading actor whose dark, brooding good looks did not bring him immediate film success either in Britain or Hollywood
Robert Donat (1905–1958)
Distinguished British actor (of Polish descent) with an inimitably melodious voice; he made some impressive films despite asthma, which blighted his career.
Distinguished British actor (of Polish descent) with an inimitably melodious voice; he made some impressive films despite asthma, which blighted his career
André Morell (1909–1978)
Dignified British character actor. Married actress Joan Greenwood.
British cockney music-hall comedian, in occasional films. He was noted for his ability to ad-lib
Will Hay (1888–1949)
British character comedian, one of the screen’s greats; after many years in the music halls, starred in several incomparable farces playing variations on his favourite role of an incompetent, seedy schoolmaster.
British character comedian, one of the screen’s greats; after many years in the music halls, starred in several incomparable farces playing variations on his favourite role of an incompetent, seedy schoolmaster
Virginia McKenna (1931– )
Demure-looking but spirited British leading lady with stage experience; married to Bill Travers. With Travers she founded in 1984 the Born Free Foundation, which campaigns for wild animals that are suffering, imprisoned or in danger.
Demure-looking but spirited British leading lady with stage experience; married to Bill Travers. With Travers she founded in 1984 the Born Free Foundation, which campaigns for wild animals that are suffering, imprisoned or in danger
Margaret Rutherford (1892–1972)
Inimitable, garrulous, shapeless, endearing British comedy actress, who usually seemed to be playing somebody’s slightly dotty spinster aunt.
Inimitable, garrulous, shapeless, endearing British comedy actress, who usually seemed to be playing somebody’s slightly dotty spinster aunt
Ralph Richardson (1902–1983)
Distinguished British stage actor, in occasional films. Despite his splendid theatrical voice and thespian mannerisms he was at his best playing ordinary chaps, though his gallery included plenty of eccentrics.
Distinguished British stage actor, in occasional films. Despite his splendid theatrical voice and thespian mannerisms he was at his best playing ordinary chaps, though his gallery included plenty of eccentrics
Carol Reed (1906–1976)
Distinguished British director who after a peak in the late 40s seemed to lose his way; his infrequent later films, though always civilised, were generally disappointing.
Distinguished British director who after a peak in the late 40s seemed to lose his way; his infrequent later films, though always civilised, were generally disappointing
Alastair Sim (1900–1976)
Lugubrious Scottish actor of stage and screen; his diction and gestures were inimitable.
Debonair British leading actor of pleasant, if limited, range, on stage since 1924; films only occasionally gave him the right material
Naunton Wayne (1901–1970)
Mild-mannered British light comedy actor, on stage from 1920, films from 1931; became well known with Basil Radford in many films as Englishmen abroad.
