Heather Thatcher

Heather Thatcher

1896-09-03 – 1987-02-15 (age 90) London, England, UK
View on IMDb ↗

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Heather Thatcher (3 September 1896 – 15 February 1987) was an English actress in theatre and films. She was from London. The Plaything (1929), produced by Castleton Knight and Elstree Studios, begins as a silent film. It develops into an audible film which is recorded in good quality for its time. The theme concerns a Highland laird who falls in love with a hedonistic London heiress. Thatcher plays a prominent role as Martyn Bennett.

In 1931 she visited Hollywood while attending the wedding of James Gleason. As a star of English comedy, she was being compared to Marilyn Miller, Thatcher wore a monocle to the marriage ceremony. In the autumn of 1931 she was invited to a reception following the premiere of Strictly Dishonorable (1931), at the Carthay Circle Theatre. Among her friends in films were Anthony Bushell and Zelma O'Neal.

Thatcher was signed by MGM in February 1932. She was given a feature role in But The Flesh Is Weak (1932). The film stars Robert Montgomery and is directed by Jack Conway. The film was adapted from a British stage production which showcased Novello. Thatcher was praised for her performance. German actress, Nora Gregor was found disappointing. The English actress "gives a brilliant performance and creates the only human being in the piece."

Thatcher sued Gloria Swanson British Productions for breach of contract in a suit which was settled in December 1933. During the filming of Perfect Understanding (1933) Thatcher's contract was cancelled before the production was completed. No explanation was given. She was excluded from the film when a new author was hired. The replacement writer chose to eliminate her character.

The Private Life of Don Juan (1934) was also filmed at Elstree Studios. The film has Douglas Fairbanks Sr. as its leading man. Owen Nares plays the title role and Thatcher is Anna Dora, one of the ladies.

Later in her career Thatcher returned to Britain to make films. Among these is Will Any Gentleman...? (1953), filmed at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood. Thatcher appears together with George Cole and Veronica Hurst. The film was a short adventure about a hypnotist who puts a man in a trance.

Thatcher made her last films in 1955. The Deep Blue Sea has a screenplay written by Terence Rattigan and features Vivien Leigh and Kenneth More. Thatcher depicts Aunt May Luton in Josephine and Men. The film is a comedy starring Glynis Johns and Peter Finch.

Photos

Known For

Gaslight
Gaslight

1944

as Lady Dalroy

Beau Geste
Beau Geste

1939

as Lady Patricia Brandon

Anna Karenina
Anna Karenina

1948

as Countess Lydia Ivanova

Man Hunt
Man Hunt

1941

as Lady Alice Risborough

Duel in the Jungle
Duel in the Jungle

1954

as Lady on the Niagara

If I Were King
If I Were King

1938

as The Queen

Above Suspicion
Above Suspicion

1943

as English Girl Dancing with Richard (Uncredited)

This Above All
This Above All

1942

as Nurse

Girls' School
Girls' School

1938

as Miss Brackett

Tovarich
Tovarich

1937

as Lady Kartegann

Encore
Encore

1951

as Eva Barrett

Son of Fury: The Story of Benjamin Blake
Journey for Margaret
Journey for Margaret

1942

as Mrs. Harris

Trottie True
Trottie True

1949

as Angela Platt Brown

The Deep Blue Sea
The Deep Blue Sea

1955

as Lady Dawson

The Undying Monster
The Undying Monster

1942

as Conita 'Christy' Christopher

The Private Life of Don Juan
The Private Life of Don Juan

1934

as Anna Dora, an Actress as Actresses Go

Will Any Gentleman...?
Will Any Gentleman...?

1953

as Mrs Whittle

Josephine and Men
Josephine and Men

1955

as May Luton

The Hour of 13
The Hour of 13

1952

as Mrs. Chumley-Orr