Brenda de Banzie

Brenda Doreen Mignon de Banzie was a British actress of stage and screen.

Biography

Brenda Doreen Mignon de Banzie was a British actress of stage and screen. She was the daughter of Edward Thomas de Banzie, conductor and musical director, and his second wife Dorothy, whom he married in 1908. She was the aunt of actress Lois de Banzie. In 1911, the family lived in Salford, Lancashire. She married Alexander Marsh in 1934 and had a child Antony Marsh.

Career

She appeared as Maggie Hobson in the David Lean film version of Hobson's Choice with John Mills and Charles Laughton, set in Salford. Laughton allegedly didn't like de Banzie, because she wasn't getting 'her part right'.. De Banzie also upstaged Laughton who was, by all accounts, a notorious upstager himself.
Another notable film role was as Phoebe Rice, the hapless wife of comedian Archie Rice in the 1960 film version of John Osborne's The Entertainer. She had also appeared on Broadway in the original play, for which she received a Tony Award nomination.
Other memorable film roles included The [Man Who Knew Too Much (1956 film)|The Man Who Knew Too Much] directed by Alfred Hitchcock, Too Many Crooks, and The Pink Panther directed by Blake Edwards. She made numerous films for the Rank Organisation.
De Banzie died at the age of 71 due to complications following brain surgery.

Selected filmography

The [Long Dark Hall] – Mrs. Rogers
I [Believe in You (film)|I Believe in You] – Mrs. Hooker
Private Information – Dolly
Never [Look Back (film)|Never Look Back] – Molly Wheeler
The Yellow Balloon – Fruit Stall Customer
A [Day to Remember (1953 film)|A Day to Remember] – Mrs. Collins
Don't Blame the Stork – Evelyn Steele
Hobson's Choice – Maggie Hobson
What [Every Woman Wants (1954 film)|What Every Woman Wants] – Sarah
The Purple Plain – Miss McNab
The Happiness of Three Women – Jane Price
As Long as They're Happy – Stella Bentley
A Kid for Two Farthings – 'Lady' Ruby
Doctor [at Sea (film)|Doctor at Sea] – Muriel Mallet
The Man Who Knew Too Much – Lucy Drayton
House of Secrets – Mme. Isabella Ballu
Passport to Shame – Aggie
Too Many Crooks – Lucy
The [39 Steps (1959 film)|The 39 Steps] – Nellie Lumsden
The Entertainer – Phoebe Rice
The Mark – Gertrude Cartwright
Flame in the Streets – Nell Palmer
Come September – Margaret Allison
A Pair of Briefs – Gladys Worthing
I Thank a Fool – Nurse Drew
The Pink Panther – Angela Dunning
Pretty Polly – Mrs. Innes-Hook