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1-50 of 73
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Strikingly attractive, but troubled Irish leading lady of the 1950's, born to a struggling family in Limerick. Constance's is, perhaps, one of the more lurid and tragic tales of a promising career ending up on the skids. It began with her winning a 1946 look-alike competition in a Dublin movie magazine, touting her as a dead ringer for Hedy Lamarr. A successful screen test with the Rank Organisation followed. In the process of being groomed by the Rank 'charm school', Constance first demonstrated her fiery temperament and unwillingness to tow the line. This quickly got her fired. Moving to London, she made ends meet by appearing in supporting roles in several British films. A small part as a maid in The Mudlark (1950) got her noticed in Hollywood and she was signed, with much fanfare and publicity, under contract to 20th Century Fox. Again, Constance clashed with producers and executives, starting with her refusal to change her surname from 'Smith' to something, presumably more memorable to movie-going audiences. She later claimed to have been the victim of casting couch politics -- an assertion, which, given her looks, and the fact that Darryl F. Zanuck was Fox's head of production at the time, is not entirely implausible.
Briefly in the limelight as a presenter at the 1952 Academy Awards, she was featured in a string of B-movies, including Red Skies of Montana (1952), Treasure of the Golden Condor (1953) and the thriller Man in the Attic (1953). Whether too emotionally frail to mount the pressures of stardom, or simply not talented enough to be thought of as star material, Constance never made it beyond leading lady status. By the time her contract expired in 1953, she had undergone an abortion forced upon her by the studio, and the first of her three marriages was on the ropes. As the years went on and she failed to get the parts she felt were commensurate to her abilities, she began an embittered descent into a life of drugs and alcohol. Constance last acted in a brace of minor films made in Italy between 1955 and 1959, including a role as Lucretia Borgia in Conspiracy of the Borgias (1959). None of these did anything to resuscitate her failing career. During her time in Rome, she first attempted suicide by overdosing on barbiturates.
Worse was to come: in 1962 and 1968, she was twice sentenced to brief prison terms for attempting to stab her partner, documentary filmmaker and film historian Paul Rotha. She also tried several more times to kill herself. Her last decades were spent, dissipated, in and out of hospitals. When able to get herself together for brief periods, she worked as a cleaner. Constance died, in obscurity, as an alcoholic on a street in Islington, London. As Irish author and blogger Sharon Slater wrote of Smith, 'a sadder end is hard to imagine.'- Graham Ashley was born on 26 April 1927 in Northampton, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977), The Avengers (1961) and Dixon of Dock Green (1955). He died on 30 October 1979 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Prolific and ubiquitous British bit player Jim Brady was born on May 13, 1907 in England. Jim first began popping up in films in uncredited minor roles in the mid-1940's. A large and imposing fellow with a rough face and a husky build, Brady was frequently cast as pirates, villagers, brutish thugs, pub patrons, or scruffy working class blokes. He died at age 83 on January 1, 1991 in Islington, London, England.
- Actor
- Additional Crew
Gabor Vernon was born on 23 March 1925. He was an actor, known for Octopussy (1983), The Tomorrow People (1973) and Quest of Eagles (1979). He died on 23 April 1985 in Islington, London, England, UK.- Writer
- Actor
Stephen Tredre was born on 17 July 1963 in London, England, UK. He was a writer and actor, known for EastEnders (1985), Maisie Raine (1998) and Fish (2000). He died on 8 December 1997 in Islington, London, England, UK.- Director
- Producer
- Additional Crew
David Richards was born in 1948 in Hollinwood, Oldham, Greater Manchester, England, UK. He was a director and producer, known for Conviction (2004), This Is Personal: The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper (2000) and Emmerdale Farm (1972). He was married to Judith Hackett. He died on 9 January 2017 in Islington, London, England, UK.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Barry Clayton was born in 1931 in Islington, London, England, UK. He was an actor and director, known for Count Duckula (1988), Weekend World (1972) and They Came to Wales (1970). He died on 29 December 2011 in Islington, London, England, UK.- Additional Crew
- Actress
- Music Department
Isla Cameron was born on 5 March 1927 in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, Scotland, UK. She was an actress, known for The Innocents (1961), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) and Far from the Madding Crowd (1967). She died on 3 April 1980 in Islington, London, England, UK.- Joe Orton was a noted British author, screenwriter, and playwright who is best known for the plays 'Entertaining Mr. Sloane' (1964), 'What the Butler Saw' (1969), and 'Loot' (1967). He was murdered by his lover, Kenneth Halliwell, in their home at 25 Noel Road, Islington, London.
- Born Hilda Gentle on June 9, 1884, in Edmonton, London, England, Hilda Barry was a very active British character actress who had a very long and extensive career as well in comedies as in dramas. She appeared in over 150 roles on stage, on the big screen and on television. She died on Tuesday, May 29th, 1979 at the age of 94.
- Kenneth Gardnier was born on 15 December 1936 in Dominica. He was an actor, known for The Champions (1968), The Saint (1962) and Murder at the Wedding (1979). He died in 2006 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- June Lewis was born in 1934 in Pontypridd, Wales, UK. She was an actress, known for Budgie (1971), For Maddie with Love (1980) and The House Under the Water (1961). She died on 7 November 2008 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Dido Plumb was born on 23 June 1905 in Hackney, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950), Probation Officer (1959) and Wednesday Theatre (1952). He died on 4 March 1991 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Amelia Bayntun was born on 31 March 1919. She was an actress, known for Carry on Camping (1969), Carry on Abroad (1972) and Carry on Loving (1970). She was married to Ronald G. Mccrindell . She died in 1988 in Islington, London, England, UK.- English dramatist and story writer, usually of tales involving the sea and village life and often dealing with supernatural or horror elements. He was a clerk until finding success as a full-time author with his first collected stories, published as "Many Cargoes" in 1896. He is best known for "The Monkey's Paw", a 1902 tale about a talisman which grants its owner three wishes, though inevitably those come with a heavy price.
- John Boyd-Brent was born on 5 May 1919 in Reigate, Surrey, England, UK. He was an actor and writer, known for Parbottle Speaking (1962), Doctor Who (1963) and Kidnapped (1952). He died on 15 December 2005 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Norris Smith was born on 18 February 1883 in Columbia, Missouri, USA. He was an actor, known for Diamond City (1949), BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950) and You Can't Take It with You (1947). He died on 31 October 1959 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Actress
Ruth Ellis was born on 9 October 1926 in Rhyl, Flintshire, Wales, UK. She was an actress. She was married to George Johnston Ellis. She died on 13 July 1955 in Islington, London, England, UK.- Ben Kinsella was born on 27 October 1991 in London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Seven Wonders of the Industrial World (2003) and The Bill (1984). He died on 29 June 2008 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Anthony Skene was born on 17 September 1924 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. He was a writer, known for Thriller (1973), Journey to the Unknown (1968) and The Prisoner (1967). He died on 27 February 2000 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Gillian Freeman was born on 5 December 1929 in Maida Vale, London, England, UK. She was a writer, known for The Leather Boys (1964), That Cold Day in the Park (1969) and I Want What I Want (1972). She was married to Edward Ronald Thorpe. She died on 23 February 2019 in Islington. London, England, UK.
- Music Department
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Sam Fonteyn was born on 20 May 1925 in Birmingham, England, UK. Sam was a composer, known for Clear and Present Danger (1994), Dear White People (2014) and Alan Partridge (2013). Sam died on 29 August 1991 in Islington, London, England, UK.- Vi Delmar was born on 26 September 1902 in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Special Branch (1969), Within These Walls (1974) and Dr. Finlay's Casebook (1962). She died on 26 November 1994 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Peter Waterman was born on 8 December 1934 in Stepney, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Murder Bag (1957) and The Vise (1954). He died on 15 January 1986 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Patrick L. Mannock was born on 24 December 1887 in Islington, London, England, UK. He was a writer, known for One of the Best (1927), The Rank Outsider (1920) and The Wonderful Story (1922). He died on 19 February 1969 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Rowena Roberts was born on 23 January 1951 in Windsor, Berkshire, England, UK. She was an actress, known for I Thought You'd Gone (1984), Players (1979) and Within These Walls (1974). She died on 21 March 1989 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Fred Lake was born on 17 December 1887 in Hackney, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for What's in Store? (1953), The Straw Man (1953) and Thunder Over Tangier (1957). He died on 22 August 1965 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
George Leybourne was born on 17 March 1842 in Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, England, UK. George is known for George of the Jungle (1997), Going in Style (2017) and Chaplin (1992). George died on 15 September 1884 in Islington, London, England, UK.- Music Department
- Composer
- Actor
Anthony Bowles was born on 18 September 1931. He was a composer and actor, known for Chaplin (1992), The Odessa File (1974) and Isadora (1968). He died on 15 March 1993 in Islington, London, England, UK.- George Street was born on 21 January 1900 in Islington, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Once a Sinner (1950), H.M. Tennent Globe Theatre (1956) and BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950). He was married to Caroline Hamer Jackson. He died in 1966 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Billie Anthony was born on 11 October 1932 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. She died on 5 January 1991 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Doria Noar was born on 1 February 1930 in Hertford, Hertfordshire, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Thorndyke (1964), Hour of Mystery (1957) and ITV Television Playhouse (1955). She was married to Kenneth Griffith and Peter Hooper. She died on 2 January 2018 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Music Department
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Fran Landesman was born on 21 October 1927 in New York City, New York, USA. She was a writer, known for Take a Letter Mr. Jones..... (1981), Barn (2019) and In the Pink (1982). She was married to Jay Landesman. She died on 23 July 2011 in Islington, London, England, UK.- Claudia Guillot was born on 5 April 1886 in Paddington, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for A Tragedy in the Alps (1913). She died in 1937 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Roger Casement was born on 1 September 1864 in Sandycove, County Dublin, Ireland, UK [now Republic of Ireland]. He died on 3 August 1916 in Pentonville Prison, Islington, London, England, UK.
- Henry Latimer was born on 7 November 1878 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The King's Highway (1927), Under Suspicion (1919) and Fatal Fingers (1916). He was married to Vera Eden. He died on 25 January 1963 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Frederick Oakeley was born on 5 September 1802 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, UK. He died on 29 January 1880 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Ena Cabayo was born on 31 July 1930 in Trinidad. She was an actress, known for The Professionals (1977), Treasure Island (1977) and Brideshead Revisited (1981). She was married to Kelvin C Carballo. She died on 20 May 1992 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Actor
- Producer
Tony Halfpenny was born on 30 September 1913 in Hampstead, London, England, UK. He was an actor and producer, known for Young Woodley (1930), Chance of a Lifetime (1950) and Ask for King Billy (1959). He died on 8 February 1997 in Islington, London, England, UK.- Montagu Slater was born on 23 September 1902 in Millom, Cumberland, England, UK. He was a writer, known for The Brave Don't Cry (1952), Maniacs on Wheels (1949) and Man of Africa (1953). He died on 19 December 1956 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Actor
- Writer
Lew Lake was born on 10 January 1875 in Bethnal Green, London, England, UK. He was an actor and writer, known for The Bloomsbury Burglars (1912), The Great Game (1930) and Splinters (1929). He died on 5 November 1939 in Islington Green, London, England, UK.- Raymond Mortimer was born on 25 April 1895 in Knightsbridge, London, England, UK. He was a writer, known for England Home & Beauty (1976), Animal, Vegetable, Mineral? (1952) and Out of Chaos (1944). He died on 9 January 1980 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Writer
- Producer
John La Rose was born on 27 December 1927 in Arima, St. George, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago. He was a writer and producer, known for The Mangrove Nine (1973), Full House (1972) and Viewpoint (1959). He was married to Irma Hilaire. He died on 28 February 2006 in Islington, London, England, UK.- James Urquhart was born on 8 June 1909 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was an actor, known for Outbreak of Murder (1962), Alexander Graham Bell (1965) and BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950). He was married to Mary Scott Dykes. He died on 11 March 1978 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- John Kevan was born on 8 March 1908 in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Secret Voice (1936), Expert's Opinion (1935) and 13 Men and a Gun (1938). He died in 1967 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Claire Pridelle was born in 1882 in Kensington, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Faust (1911), Harry the Footballer (1911) and The Vicar of Wakefield (1913). She was married to Jack Raymond and Jack Hulcup. She died on 2 December 1967 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Alicia Massey-Beresford was born on 12 October 1919 in Austria. She was an actress, known for Oh... Rosalinda!! (1955), My Husband and I (1956) and Armchair Theatre (1956). She died in 1999 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Kenneth Halliwell was born on 23 June 1926 in Bebington, England, UK. He died on 9 August 1967 in Islington, London, England, UK.
- Writer
- Producer
P.L. Mannock was born on 24 December 1887 in Islington, London, England, UK. He was a writer and producer, known for A Dead Certainty (1920), The Happy Ending (1925) and His House in Order (1928). He died on 19 February 1969 in Islington, London, England, UK.- Producer
- Director
Mervyn Pinfield was born on 28 February 1912 in Evesham, Worcestershire, England, UK. He was a producer and director, known for Doctor Who (1963), The Monsters (1962) and The Herries Chronicle (1960). He died on 30 May 1966 in Islington, London, England, UK.