Margaret Rutherford

Dame Margaret (sometimes "Margot") Rutherford was a British character actress. Born November 11 1892 in London, she made her stage debut in 1925 at the Old Vic. However, her appearance was such that romantic heroines were almost out of the question, and she soon established her name in comedy, appearing in many of the most successful British films of the mid-20th century, including:

Blithe Spirit (1945) (in which she played Madame Arcati)

Rebecca (1940) based on the book by Daphne du Maurier, playing Mrs. Danvers

The Importance of Being Earnest (1952) (in which she played Miss Prism)

The Happiest Days of Your Life (1950)

The Mouse That Roared (1959)

The VIPs (1963) (Best Supporting Actress Oscar)

In all the above, she had originally played the role on stage.

In 1962, she first played the film role with which she was most often associated in later life, that of Miss Marple in a series of films based on the novels of Agatha Christie.

Her husband was the actor Stringer Davis, whom she married in 1945 and with whom she often appeared. In 1967 she was created a Dame of the British Empire. She died in 1972.