Main title from The Rank Charm School documentary (1982)

The Rank Charm School

(1982)

TV Programme | Colour | 49min
| Stars: Barry Norman, Diana Dors, Christopher Lee

Documentary on the Rank Organisation’s Company of Youth – popularly known as the Charm School – in which young actors were trained by the studios to become stars

Barry Norman tells the story of a famous training establishment for would-be stars in the 40s and 50s.

The Rank Organisation called it ‘The Company of Youth’ but the Press quickly dubbed it ‘The Charm School’, where youngsters from varied backgrounds, and with little or no acting experience, were put under contract at £10 a week and trained at a church hall next door to Rank’s Highbury Studios.

Taking part are former charm school students, Diana Dors, Pete Murray, Christopher Lee, Barbara Murray, Peggy Evans, Susan Beaumont and the Viscountess Rothermere plus publicity executive Theo Cowan, Rank’s Director of Artists Olive Dodds, and producer Betty Box.

Featured series cast

(11)
Barry Norman
Presenter
(1 episode)
Publicity shot of the sexy British actress, Diana Dors
Herself
(1 episode)
Photograph of English actor, Christopher Lee (1)
Himself
(1 episode)
Susan Beaumont
Herself
(1 episode)
Beverly Brooks
Herself
(1 episode)
Peggy Evans
Herself
(1 episode)
An autographed photograph featuring British actress, Barbara Murray. Signature reads ‘To John, Barbara Murray’.
Herself
(1 episode)
Pete Murray
Himself
(1 episode)
Betty Box
Herself
(1 episode)
Theo Cowan
Himself
(1 episode)
Olive Dodds
Herself
(1 episode)
+ Show full cast (1 more)

Pictures

(2)
Main title from The Rank Charm School documentary (1982), crediting Diana Dors and Christopher Lee
Main title from The Rank Charm School documentary (1982)