Kathleen Harrison
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- February 22, 1892 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England, UK
- Died
- December 7, 1995
- Active Years
- 1931–1999 (69 Years)
- Total Credits
- 87 credits in database
Biography
Kathleen Harrison was a prolific English character actress born in 1892 in Blackburn, Lancashire. She studied at RADA and spent time living in Argentina before returning to Britain to make her stage debut in 1926 in The Constant Flirt. Her early film career included a role in the 1931 production of Hobson's Choice and a 1937 appearance as a maid in the Hollywood film Night Must Fall. Harrison achieved national fame for her portrayal of Mrs. Huggett in a series of British post-war comedies. She is also remembered for her role as the charwoman Mrs. Dilber in the 1951 film Scrooge, appearing opposite Alastair Sim. Harrison died in 1995.
Career overview
Kathleen Harrison was a prolific English character actress and a long-standing figure in British cinema. Born in Blackburn, Lancashire, in 1892, she received her training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. After spending time in Argentina, she returned to Britain and made her stage debut in 1926 in The Constant Flirt. Her film career began with a major role in the 1931 production of Hobson's Choice. Throughout her career, she frequently portrayed domestic staff, such as cooks or cleaning ladies, often characterized by a puzzled or anxious demeanor. In 1937, she appeared in the Hollywood film Night Must Fall, directed by Emlyn Williams, in the role of a maid.
Harrison achieved national fame for her portrayal of Mrs. Huggett in a series of British post-war comedies concerning the misadventures of a working-class family. While sources differ on the exact number of films in this series, she is widely recognized for these performances. Later in her career, she became well known to audiences for her role as Mrs. Dilber, the charwoman, in the 1951 film Scrooge, where she appeared opposite Alastair Sim. Harrison continued her work in the industry until her death in 1995.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Kathleen Harrison.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
87 titles- Blondes: Diana Dors (1999) as Mrs. Huggett(archive footage)
- Danger UXB (1979) as Mrs. Dollery
- The London Connection (1979) as Elderly Lady
- Our Mutual Friend (1976) as Henrietta Boffin
- ITV Saturday Night Theatre (1969) as Rose
- Lock Up Your Daughters (1969) as Lady Clumsey
- NBC Experiment in Television (1967) as (voice)
- Mrs Thursday (1966)
- BBC Play of the Month (1965) as Mrs. Ashworth
- Martin Chuzzlewit (1964)
- West 11 (1963) as Mrs. Beckett
- The Fast Lady (1962) as Mrs. Staggers
- Mrs. Gibbons' Boys (1962) as Mrs Gibbons
- On the Fiddle (1961) as Mrs. Cooksley
- Alive and Kicking (1959) as Rosie
- A Cry from the Streets (1958) as Mrs. Farrer
- The Big Money (1958) as Mrs Frith
- Seven Thunders (1957) as Mme. Abou
- It's a Wonderful World (1956) as Miss Gilly
- Home and Away (1956) as Elsie Knowles
- Cast a Dark Shadow (1955) as Emmie
- Where There's a Will (1955) as Annie Yeo
- All for Mary (1955) as Nannie Cartwright
- Lilacs in the Spring (1954) as Kate
- The Dog and the Diamonds (1953) as Mrs. Fossett
- Turn the Key Softly (1953) as Granny Quilliam
- The Magic Box (1952) as Mother in Family Group
- The Pickwick Papers (1952) as Rachel Wardle
- The Happy Family (1952) as Lillian Lord
- Scrooge (1951) as Mrs. Dilber
- Trio (1950) as Emma Foreman (in segment The Verger)
- Waterfront (1950) as Mrs. McCabe
- Double Confession (1950) as Kate
- The Day Begins Early (1950) as Ethel Huggett
- Vote for Huggett (1949) as Ethel Huggett
- Now Barabbas (1949) as Mrs. Brown
- Golden Arrow (1949) as Isobel
- The Huggetts Abroad (1949) as Ethel Huggett
- Landfall (1949) as Mona's Mother
- Oliver Twist (1948) as Mrs Sowerberry
- The Winslow Boy (1948) as Violet
- Bond Street (1948) as Ethel Brawn
- Here Come the Huggetts (1948) as Ethel Huggett
- Temptation Harbour (1947) as Mabel Slater
- The Shop at Sly Corner (1947) as Mrs. Catt
- Holiday Camp (1947) as Mrs. Ethel Huggett
- I See a Dark Stranger (1946) as Waitress (uncredited)
- Wanted for Murder (1946) as Florrie
- Caesar and Cleopatra (1945) as Egyptian Woman (uncredited)
- Waterloo Road (1945)
- Great Day (1945) as Pub Customer
- Meet Sexton Blake (1945) as Mrs. Bardell
- It Happened One Sunday (1944) as Mrs. Purkiss
- The New Lot (1943) as Keith's Mother
- In Which We Serve (1942) as Mrs. Blake
- Much Too Shy (1942) as Amelia Peabody
- Major Barbara (1941) as Mrs. Price
- The Ghost Train (1941) as Miss Bourne
- I Thank You (1941) as Kathleen
- Letter from Home (1941) as Ethel
- Once a Crook (1941) as Auntie
- Gaslight (1940) as Bit Role
- Girl in the News (1940) as Cook
- They Came by Night (1940) as Mrs. Lightbody
- Salvage with a Smile (1940) as Housekeeper
- The Flying Squad (1940) as Mrs. Schifan
- A Call for Arms! (1940) as Mrs. James
- A Girl Must Live (1939) as Penelope
- Discoveries (1939) as Kitchen Maid
- The Outsider (1939) as Mrs. Coates
- Bank Holiday (1938) as May
- The Terror (1938) as Parlour Maid
- Convict 99 (1938) as Mabel
- Night Must Fall (1937) as Emily Terence
- Aren't Men Beasts! (1937) as Annie
- Wanted! (1937) as Belinda
- The Tenth Man (1936) as Confused Voter
- Broken Blossoms (1936) as Mrs. Lossy
- Jury's Evidence (1936) as Secretary
- Dandy Dick (1935) as Jane (the Maid)
- Inside the Room (1935) as Nurse
- The Great Defender (1934) as Agnes Carter
- What Happened Then? (1934)
- The Ghoul (1933) as Kaney
- The Man from Toronto (1933) as Martha
- Aren't We All? (1932) as Bit Role
- Hobson's Choice (1931) as Ada Figgins
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Kathleen Harrison best known for?
Kathleen Harrison is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Thirteen Days (2000), ITV Saturday Night Theatre (1969), Sansho the Bailiff (1954), Night Boat to Dublin (1946).
When and where was Kathleen Harrison born?
Kathleen Harrison was born on February 22, 1892 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England, UK. They passed away on December 7, 1995.
How many credits does Kathleen Harrison have?
Kathleen Harrison has accumulated over 87 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1931 to 1999.
What is Kathleen Harrison's background in cinema and television?
Kathleen Harrison was a prolific English character actress born in 1892 in Blackburn, Lancashire. She studied at RADA and spent time living in Argentina before returning to Britain to make her stage debut in 1926 in The Constant Flirt. Her early film career included a role in the 1931 production of Hobson's Choice and ...
Kathleen Harrison by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Danger UXB (1979) as Mrs. Dollery — aged about 87
- Landfall (1949) as Mona's Mother — aged about 57
- Oliver Twist (1948) as Mrs Sowerberry — aged about 56
- Scrooge (1951) as Mrs. Dilber — aged about 59
- Alive and Kicking (1959) as Rosie — aged about 67
- Gaslight (1940) as Bit Role — aged about 48
What viewers say
No comments yet. Be the first to share your take on Kathleen Harrison.