Jessie Matthews
Biography
Jessie Matthews was an English actress, dancer, and singer. Her career spanned the 1920s to the post-war period. Matthews' early film roles included Out of the Blue in 1931 and The Midshipmaid and There Goes the Bride, both directed by Albert de Courville in 1932. She gained significant success with The Good Companions. Matthews developed a following in the USA, where she was known as "The Dancing Divinity". Her British studio initially rejected offers for her to work in Hollywood. Matthews continued to work in the British film industry and later made a comeback in the British radio soap opera The Dales in the early 1960s.
Career overview
Jessie Matthews began her acting career in the early 1930s. Her first major film role was in Out of the Blue (1931). She appeared in two films directed by Albert de Courville, The Midshipmaid (1932) and There Goes the Bride (1932).
Matthews enjoyed great success with The Good Companions. Her career continued into the post-war period, and she developed a following in the USA, where she was dubbed "The Dancing Divinity". Despite this, her British studio was reluctant to let her work in Hollywood, resulting in repeated rejections of offers.
Matthews' acting career spanned several decades, with her known credits totaling 32.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
33 titles- Catch a Fallen Star (1987) as Self
- 40 Minutes (1981)
- Tales of the Unexpected: A Picture of a Place (1980) as Hazel
- Tales of the Unexpected (1979) as Hazel
- The Winter Ladies (1979) as Lady Bluett
- Edward and Mrs Simpson (1978) as Aunt Bessie Merryman
- The Hound of the Baskervilles (1978) as Mrs. Tinsdale
- Edward & Mrs. Simpson (1978) as Aunt Bessie Merryman
- Jubilee 1977 (1977) as Nancy Webster
- Nanny's Boy (1977) as Nanny Webster
- ITV Playhouse (1967) as Lady Bluett
- Tom Thumb (1958) as Anne
- A Connecticut Yankee (1955)
- Life Is Nothing Without Music (1947) as Herself
- Victory Wedding (1944) as Narrator
- Victory Wedding (1944) Director
- Candles at Nine (1944) as Dorothea Capper, the Heiress
- Forever and a Day (1943) as Mildred Trimble
- Climbing High (1938) as Diana Castle
- Sailing Along (1938) as Kay Martin
- Gangway (1937) as Pat Wayne
- Head Over Heels (1937) as Jeanne Colbert
- It's Love Again (1936) as Elaine Bradford / Mrs. Smythe-Smythe
- First a Girl (1935) as Elizabeth
- Waltzes from Vienna (1934) as Resi Ebezeder
- Evergreen (1934) as Harriet Green
- The Good Companions (1933) as Susie Dean
- The Man from Toronto (1933) as Leslie Farrar
- Friday the Thirteenth (1933) as Millie
- The Midshipmaid (1932) as Celia Newbiggin
- There Goes the Bride (1932) as Annette Marquand
- Out of the Blue (1931) as Tommy Tucker
- The Beloved Vagabond (1923) as Pan
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Jessie Matthews best known for?
Jessie Matthews is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including 40 Minutes (1981), Tales of the Unexpected (1979), Edward and Mrs Simpson (1978), Docking the Boat (1965).
When and where was Jessie Matthews born?
Jessie Matthews was born on March 11, 1907 in London, England, UK. They passed away on August 19, 1981.
How many credits does Jessie Matthews have?
Jessie Matthews has accumulated over 33 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1923 to 1987.
What is Jessie Matthews's background in cinema and television?
Jessie Matthews was an English actress, dancer, and singer. Her career spanned the 1920s to the post-war period. Matthews' early film roles included Out of the Blue in 1931 and The Midshipmaid and There Goes the Bride, both directed by Albert de Courville in 1932. She gained significant success with The Good Companions...
Jessie Matthews by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- ITV Playhouse (1967) as Lady Bluett — aged about 60
- Tales of the Unexpected (1979) as Hazel — aged about 72
- Edward and Mrs Simpson (1978) as Aunt Bessie Merryman — aged about 71
- 40 Minutes (1981) — aged about 74
- Tom Thumb (1958) as Anne — aged about 51
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