Margaret Rutherford (Rutherford) is an English film and theater actress who first appeared on the big screen in 1936. And her debut on the theater stage took place at the age of 33. In 1964, she won a gold Oscar statuette and a Golden Globe for her brilliant performance in the movie Very Important Persons.
Margaret Rutherford's career in theater and cinema began quite late. She came to the theater only in 1925, and got into the cinema 11 years later. However, this did not at all prevent a talented woman, who from a young age dreamed of becoming an actress, from acting in almost 50 films. Most of her roles have been very successful.
Margaret's acting talent was appreciated by Queen Elizabeth II herself, who awarded the artist a title of nobility. In addition, in the early 1960s, Rutherford was first awarded the title of Officer of the British Empire, and then - a lady of cavalry. The Webber Douglas Academy of Arts and Drama Awards were also named in her honor. And in 1963, the famous writer Agatha Christie dedicated a novel to the talented artist - "And, cracking, the mirror rings …".
Biography facts
Margaret Taylor Rutherford was born in the small provincial town of Balkham. It is located in the south suburb of London in the UK. The future actress was born in 1892. Her birthday: May 11. Margaret was the only child in the family.
The girl's father was named William Benn. He suffered from dementia, and in 1883 he killed his own father. In the early 1900s, he was sent for compulsory treatment to a closed psychiatric clinic, where William spent a long 7 years. After that, his elder brother took custody of him.
Margaret's mother was named Florence Nicholson. After the birth of her daughter, she temporarily moved to India, taking the child with her. But when Margaret was 3 years old, her mother committed suicide.
At the age of three, the future actress returned to England. Her aunt Bessie Nicholson lived in London, who took the baby to her. They lived at Wimbledon. Among her relatives was also Tony Benn, an English politician. He was Margaret Rutherford's cousin.
At an early age, the girl began to take an interest in creativity and art, she was attracted by the theater. Therefore, when Margaret went to school, she began to take private acting lessons, which her aunt willingly paid for. Rutherford was educated at Wimbledon High School.
Despite the fact that Margaret Rutherford dreamed of an acting career, she did not succeed in starting a creative career immediately after receiving a basic education. For some time, the girl worked as a teacher of public speaking. After the death of her aunt, she received a small inheritance, thanks to which she was able to switch to creativity.
In 1925, Margaret auditioned and joined the troupe of the Old Vic Theater, located in London. Initially, the actress played only minor roles, but over time she was able to achieve recognition. She participated mainly in classical plays, including those based on the works of William Shakespeare. For example, one of her first works was a small role in the production of "The Taming of the Shrew."
The artist got into big cinema in the 1930s. The first film with Margaret Rutherford was released in 1936. After that, her acting career in cinema began to develop very rapidly. Despite her age, Margaret quickly became a really sought-after actress.
She was especially famous for the role of Miss Marple in films based on the works of Agatha Christie. It is noteworthy that Agatha Christie herself was initially very skeptical of the actress. She believed that Rutherford distorts the character of the heroine. However, later, when the women met, a friendship developed between Christie and Margaret Rutherford. The writer redefined her views on Margaret's acting and her character presentation. Ultimately, she expressed her respect and respect to the artist by dedicating one of her novels to her.
Throughout her life, Margaret Rutherford suffered from depression several times. She had a hereditary predisposition to mental pathologies and was very afraid to face real madness. Because of this, the artist deliberately refused to have children. At the end of her life, all her fears turned into Alzheimer's disease. Due to the resulting memory gaps and rapidly deteriorating well-being, the actress was forced to end her career in the late 1960s.
Film career
In 1936, two tapes with the participation of the actress were released at once: "Dusty Ermine" and "Speeches of the Devil". Then, during the 1930-1940s, Margaret Rutherford appeared in such films as "At Any Cost", "Silent Wedding", "The Yellow Canary", "English Without Tears", "The Merry Ghost", "Miranda", "Pass in Pimlico ". In 1946, she made her television debut, starring in the television movie The Importance of Being Earnest.
In 1950, Margaret Rutherford performed her first role in a TV series, appearing on the BBC Sunday Night Theater. This project came out on screens until the end of 1959. Two years later, the artist appeared in the successful film "The Importance of Being Earnest", and in 1953 the film "Trouble in the Shop" was released, which was highly appreciated by film critics and viewers.
In the late 1950s, Margaret Rutherford gained additional fame with roles in projects such as Just So Lucky and It's All Right Jack.
During the 1960s, virtually every film featuring the talented actress had great success and high ratings. Among the projects with her participation are: "At 4:40 pm from Paddington", "After the funeral", "Hey murder!", "The worst murder", "Midnight bells", "The Countess of Hong Kong". In 1963, the premiere of the film "Very Important Persons" took place, in which Margaret Rutherford appeared alongside such popular artists as Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Although Rutherford played a supporting role in this film, her talent was highly appreciated. And a year later she won the Golden Globe and Oscar awards.
The last films with the participation of the actress were released in 1967. In "Arabella," she played Princess Ilaria, and in "The Wacky World of Mother Goose," she appeared as a voice actor for the first time in her career.
Margaret Rutherford had contracts for 3 more films. In 1969, she even started shooting in the film "The Virgin Mary and the Gypsy", but in the end she was replaced by another actress due to the fact that Margaret's memory was severely impaired. In 1970, she had to terminate the contract to shoot in the film "Song of Norway". In the same year, despite the beginning of rehearsals, Margaret Rutherford, because of her poor health, was forced to refuse to work in the film "The Great and Inimitable Mr. Dickens."
Personal life and death
The only husband of the actress was Stringer Davis, who appeared with his wife in 27 films and television projects. The wedding took place in 1945. Stringer and Margaret were together until the death of the actress.
At the end of her life, Margaret suffered from Alzheimer's disease. She died of pneumonia in the English village of Chalfont St. Peter, located in Buckinghamshire. Date of her death: May 22, 1972
A memorial service was held at St Paul's Church in Covent Garden. The actress is buried in the cemetery in Jerrads Cross.
Margaret Rutherford's husband passed away 1.5 years after his wife. His grave is next to the grave of his wife.
