Anecdotes

In the late 1950s she embarked on a secondary career as a writer and maker of travel documentaries.

After her marriage to director David Lean in 1949, she acted in three of his films.

Her first husband, Victor Malcolm, was the grandson of Lily Langtry; they had a son, David, together.

Her second husband, Nigel Tangye and her third husband David Lean were first cousins. She and Nigel Tangye had a daughter Ann Francesca together.

She named her daughter "Ann Francesca". Francesca was her characters name in one of her most famous roles in Le septième voile (1945).

Was the first choice for the lead in Les amants de Capri (1950).

Best known for her roles as long-suffering upper-class wives in post-war British films.

Signed by Alexander Korda in 1932.

She directed at least 5 short films Thunder in Heaven (1965), Thunder of the Gods (1966), Thunder of the Kings (1967), Thunder of Silence (1973) and Thunder of Light (1974).

Studied elocution and fencing at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. Appeared on stage with the Arts Theatre Club from the age of 18. West End debut in 'Baa Baa Black Sheep', on Broadway from 1957 in 'Four Winds'.

Awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Durham University in 1989.

Sister of Harold Brooke.

Had a son, David by her first marriage to Victor Malcolm.

Had a daughter, Francesca by her 2nd marriage to Nigel Tangye.

She turned down the part Maxine Audley eventually played in "Peeping Tom", and told one interviewer she had been offended to be offered it.