Margaret Rutherford - A Life in Film

A celebration of one of the big-screens best loved character actresses, Dame Margaret Rutherford. We take a look at her outstanding film career, from Madame Arcati to Miss Marple, and from Passport to Pimlico to the VIPs, for which she won an Oscar her portrayal of the Duchess of Brighton.

Margret Rutherford became synonymous with the rather eccentric, fiercely independent English spinster, a strong willed character, always willing to take on the establishment to fight for what was right.

For many she is best remembered as Miss Marple in the highly acclaimed film series in the early 1960s. It was a role that suited her perfectly and she appeared, as she did in so many of her films, alongside her husband, Stringer Davis. Her portrayal of the famous character received the ultimate accolade when in 1962 Agatha Christie dedicated her novel, The Mirror Crack'd 'To Margaret Rutherford, In Admiration.'

We take a look at Margaret's many screen appearances, from David Lean's 1945 big screen version of Noel Coward's comedy, Blithe Spirit, to her appearance in Charles Chaplin's final film, A Countess from Hong Kong in 1967, as well as many memorable film roles in between. We review her appearances in Passport to Pimlico (1949), The Happiest days of Your Life (1950), The Importance of Being Earnest (1952), The Smallest Show on Earth (1957), Orson Welles' Chimes at Midnight (1965) and The V.I.P.s from 1963, in which she appeared alongside Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, and won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of the Duchess of Brighton.

Margaret Rutherford built an international reputation as an outstanding, lovable actress. She earned a warm place in the hearts of audiences then and now, her appearances are still enjoyed by audiences around the world today.