Joyce Grenfell
Biography
Joyce Grenfell was an English entertainer, singer, actress and writer who became known for the comic songs and monologues she wrote and performed. Born in Montpelier Square, Knightsbridge, London, she attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art for a single term, then set aside her acting ambitions until 1939, when a monologue of her own making in a London revue won immediate praise. Between 1940 and 1969 she took her one-woman programs to five continents. She was The Observer's first radio critic, wrote for Punch, and produced two books of memoirs. On screen she usually played comic parts: in The Happiest Days of Your Life (1950) she was Miss Gossage, she played Police Sergeant Ruby Gates across the St Trinian's films beginning in 1954, and she appeared in The Americanization of Emily (1964) and The Yellow Rolls-Royce (1964). She was appointed an OBE in 1946 for her wartime work.
69years old at death
- Born Knightsbridge
- Died Chelsea
- Star sign: AquariusThe sign runs January 20 to February 18
- Joyce Irene Phipps (birth name)Also credited as Joyce Irene Grenfell
Movie Career
- Films
- 12
- Career span
- 14 years1950 to 1964
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Big break
At a BBC producer's informal supper in January 1939, Grenfell performed her own monologue "Useful and Acceptable Gifts", playing a gauche lecturer at a Women's Institute meeting. Herbert Farjeon, a guest there, asked her to perform it in his coming revue at the Little Theatre, London.
A first
J. L. Garvin, who was the editor of The Observer, engaged Grenfell after one lunch as the paper's first radio critic.
Joyce Grenfell movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Frank Launder directed four of these films. Alastair Sim appears in five of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Alastair Sim's page
George Cole's page
Lloyd Lamble's page
Guy Middleton's page
Richard Wattis's page
Thorley Walters's page
Frank LaunderDirector, 4 films, 1950 to 1960
All films by Frank Launder
Also two films together9 more actors
- Irene HandlThe Pure Hell of St Trinian's (1960) and The Belles of St Trinian's (1954)
- Hermione BaddeleyThe Belles of St Trinian's (1954) and The Pickwick Papers (1952)
- Reginald BeckwithMan with a Million (1954) and Genevieve (1953)
- John HarveyThe Old Dark House (1963) and Stage Fright (1950)
- Ernest ThesigerMan with a Million (1954) and Laughter in Paradise (1951)
- Ronald AdamMan with a Million (1954) and Laughter in Paradise (1951)
- Arthur HowardThe Belles of St Trinian's (1954) and The Happiest Days of Your Life (1950)
- Mary MerrallThe Belles of St Trinian's (1954) and The Pickwick Papers (1952)
- A.E. MatthewsMan with a Million (1954) and Laughter in Paradise (1951)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| Officer of the Order of the British Empire | Won | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.