Heather Thatcher

Birthday: 1896-09-03
Deathday: 1987-02-15
Birthplace: London, England, UK
Gender: Female
Owned By: Unowned

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.

Credits

Year Title Character
1955-11-09 Josephine and Men May Luton
1955-11-01 The Deep Blue Sea Lady Dawson
1954-06-30 Duel in the Jungle Lady on the Niagara
1953-08-25 Will Any Gentleman...? Mrs Whittle
1952-11-21 The Hour of 13 Mrs. Chumley-Orr
1952-08-15 Father's Doing Fine Lady Buckering
1951-06-11 Encore Eva Barrett
1949-09-29 Trottie True Angela Platt Brown
1949-09-07 Dear Mr. Prohack Lady Maslam
1948-01-22 Anna Karenina Countess Lydia Ivanova
1944-05-04 Gaslight Lady Mildred Dalroy
1943-05-31 Above Suspicion English Girl Dancing with Richard (Uncredited)
1942-12-17 Journey for Margaret Mrs. Harris
1942-11-27 The Undying Monster Conita 'Christy' Christopher
1942-05-12 This Above All Nurse
1942-04-30 We Were Dancing Mrs. Tyler-Blane
1942-01-29 Son of Fury: The Story of Benjamin Blake Maggie Martin
1941-06-13 Man Hunt Lady Alice Risborough
1939-07-24 Beau Geste Lady Patricia Brandon
1938-09-30 Girls' School Miss Brackett
1938-09-28 If I Were King The Queen
1938-04-16 Fools for Scandal Lady Potter-Porter
1937-12-25 Tovarich Lady Kartegann
1937-05-07 The Thirteenth Chair Mary Eastwood
1937-02-05 Mama Steps Out Nadine Wentworth
1935-02-07 The Dictator Lady of the Court
1934-06-07 It's a Boy Anita Gunn
1934-01-01 The Private Life of Don Juan Anna Dora, an Actress as Actresses Go
1933-07-02 Loyalties Margaret Orme
1932-04-09 But the Flesh Is Weak Lady Joan Culver
1931-06-01 Stepping Stones
1930-09-29 A Warm Corner Mimi
1929-09-29 The Plaything Martyn Bennett
1919-05-29 The First Men in the Moon Susan