Faith Brook obituary
She was not on the list.
Faith Brook, who has died aged 90, was an actor of remarkable elegance, poise and beauty. She was the daughter of Clive Brook, a pillar of the so-called Hollywood Raj, the British acting community that settled in Los Angeles in the 1930s. He appeared opposite Marlene Dietrich in Shanghai Express. Even if she was never a star on the scale of her father, Faith enjoyed a rich and productive career in theatre, film and television on both sides of the Atlantic.
She was born in York and moved with Clive and her mother, Mildred, to California, where her father had already put down roots. Her brother, Lyndon, was born four years after Faith and also became a successful actor.
She was educated in Los Angeles, London and Gstaad, Switzerland. She made her stage debut in Santa Barbara in September 1941 in Enid Bagnold's Lottie Dundass and a few months later appeared on the New York stage. She returned to Britain in the middle of the second world war, serving with the Auxiliary Territorial Service and joining the Stars in Battledress unit that brought drama to the troops. Among the roles she played was that of the anguished wife, Patricia, who forsakes her film-star lover for her fighter-pilot husband in Terence Rattigan's intensely moving Flare Path.
In 1946 Brook joined the Bristol Old Vic, which shared with Birmingham Rep premier league status among regional theatres and offered all the benefits of a permanent company. In one season alone, she played Dorinda in George Farquhar's The Beaux' Stratagem, Olivia in Twelfth Night and Pauline in Jenny Villiers. Back in London, she joined the Old Vic company at the New theatre. She was much praised, once again, for her aristocratic Olivia in a Twelfth Night directed by Alec Guinness; for her flirtatious Millamant in William Congreve's The Way of the World; and for her performance as the eccentric governess Charlotta in an exquisite revival of The Cherry Orchard, starring Edith Evans and Cedric Hardwicke.
Had she chosen, Brook might have become a leading classical player in the Peggy Ashcroft mould. But her American upbringing enabled her to appear freely in the US, where she spent much of the early 1950s. She took over the role of the martyred missionary Celia Coplestone, crucified "very near an ant-hill", in the Broadway production of TS Eliot's The Cocktail Party. She also played Shaw and Shakespeare in summer stock, was the scissor-wielding Sheila in Frederick Knott's Dial M for Murder and had a leading role in an American TV series, Claudia: The Story of a Marriage. But a slight mystery remains as to why, with her looks and talent, she did not seize the moment to become a dominant force in British theatre.
Instead, she continued to commute between New York and the West End, where she appeared in a great variety of plays: sometimes challenging stuff such as Sartre's Vicious Circle or Charles Morgan's The Burning Glass, at other times quilted divertissements such as Roar Like a Dove or Licence to Murder. Occasionally she vouchsafed glimpses of something remarkable. She was Dalila opposite Michael Redgrave's towering Samson in a revival of Milton's Samson Agonistes that opened the Yvonne Arnaud theatre, Guildford, in 1965. She was also a memorably sensuous and drink-fuddled Gertrude to Ian McKellen's Hamlet in a revival that came to the Cambridge theatre in London in 1971. And she was excellent playing opposite Guinness, her old friend, in 1975 in Alan Bennett's The Old Country, about a public-school Marxist living in Russian exile. In her 80s, she returned to York to perform an extended monologue, The Colour of Poppies, based on a novel by Noëlle Châtelet.
Alongside her stage work, Brook appeared in a great number of films, starting with Alfred Hitchcock's Suspicion (1941) and including The 39 Steps (1959), To Sir, With Love (1967) and Eileen Atkins's version of Mrs Dalloway (1997). She appeared in many classic TV series such as the BBC's War and Peace (1972-74) and Channel 4's The Irish RM (1983-84). In private, she was a longtime member of the British Humanist Society. While it may be ungrateful to wish that she had spent more time conquering the commanding heights of the classic repertory, she brought class, style, vocal clarity and an enduring beauty to everything she did.
She was married twice: first to Charles Moffett and then to Michael Horowitz, with whom she had a son, Brook. Both marriages ended in divorce. She is survived by her son.
Actress (112 credits)
2006 The Commander: Blacklight (TV Movie)
Hilda Aitken
2002 AKA
Contessa de la Reche
2000 St. Paul (TV Mini Series)
Sarah
- Part 1 (2000) ... Sarah
1997 Screen Two (TV Series)
Isobel - Robin's Mother
- Mothertime (1997) ... Isobel - Robin's Mother
1997 Mrs Dalloway
Lady Bexborough
1996 Elgar's Tenth Muse (TV Special)
LadyAlice Elgar
1994 Under the Hammer (TV Series)
Betsy Pitt-Plummer
- Wonders in the Deep (1994) ... Betsy Pitt-Plummer
1993 Zorro (TV Series)
Ynez Risendo
- The Discovery (1993) ... Ynez Risendo
- Conundrum (1993) ... Ynez Risendo
- The Arrival (1993) ... Ynez Risendo (uncredited)
1992 Miss Beatty's Children
Mabel Forster
1992 Rumpole of the Bailey (TV Series)
Mrs Petronelli
- Rumpole and the Family Pride (1992) ... Mrs Petronelli
1991 Agatha Christie's Miss Marple: They Do It with Mirrors (TV Movie)
Ruth van Rydock
1990 Capital City (TV Series)
Katherine
- Strange Fruits (1990) ... Katherine
1989 Close to Home (TV Series)
Miriam
- Helen's Parents (1989) ... Miriam
1989 A Fine Romance (TV Series)
Mrs. Trent
- School Daze (1989) ... Mrs. Trent
1988-1989 Gentlemen and Players (TV Series)
Eleanor Beaufort
- Another Square Mile (1989) ... Eleanor Beaufort
- Black Gold (1989) ... Eleanor Beaufort
- Loyalties (1989) ... Eleanor Beaufort
- Hard Hat Zone (1989) ... Eleanor Beaufort
- Three Can Play (1989) ... Eleanor Beaufort
Show all 13 episodes
1987 The Two Mrs. Grenvilles (TV Mini Series)
Edith Brompton
- Episode #1.2 (1987) ... Edith Brompton
- Episode #1.1 (1987) ... Edith Brompton
1986 All Passion Spent (TV Mini Series)
Lavinia
- Episode #1.3 (1986) ... Lavinia
- Episode #1.2 (1986) ... Lavinia
- Episode #1.1 (1986) ... Lavinia
1986 Sins (TV Mini Series)
Julie Westfield
- Episode #1.3 (1986) ... Julie Westfield
- Episode #1.2 (1986) ... Julie Westfield
- Episode #1.1 (1986) ... Julie Westfield
1985 C.A.T.S. Eyes (TV Series)
Anne Standfast
- My Father Knew Lloyd Mbotu (1985) ... Anne Standfast
1984 The Razor's Edge
Louisa Bradley (Isabel's mother)
1983-1984 The Irish R.M. (TV Series)
Lady Knox
- The Aussolas Martin Cat (1984) ... Lady Knox
- A Royal Command (1984) ... Lady Knox
- Oweneen the Sprat (1984) ... Lady Knox
- The Dispensary Doctor (1984) ... Lady Knox
- A Horse! A Horse! (1984) ... Lady Knox
Show all 10 episodes
1983 The Weather in the Streets (TV Movie)
Lady Spencer
1983 Spooky (TV Series)
Mrs. Rawley
- War Games with Caroline (1983) ... Mrs. Rawley
1982 Alexa (TV Mini Series)
Mrs. King
- Episode #1.4 (1982) ... Mrs. King
- Episode #1.3 (1982) ... Mrs. King
- Episode #1.1 (1982) ... Mrs. King
1981 The Member for Chelsea (TV Series)
Mrs. Eustace-Smith
- Episode #1.3 (1981) ... Mrs. Eustace-Smith
- Episode #1.2 (1981) ... Mrs. Eustace-Smith
- Episode #1.1 (1981) ... Mrs. Eustace-Smith
1981 Eye of the Needle
Lucy's Mother
1981 Goodbye Darling (TV Series)
Barbara
- Barbara (1981) ... Barbara
1981 Sunday Night Thriller (TV Series)
Sara Franke
- I Thought They Died Years Ago (1981) ... Sara Franke
1980 Cream in My Coffee (TV Movie)
Mrs. Wilsher
1980 The Sea Wolves
Mrs. Grice
1980 The Curse of King Tut's Tomb (TV Movie)
Lady Almina Carnarvon
1980 North Sea Hijack
Prime Minister
1979 After Julius (TV Series)
Esme Grace
- Sunday (1979) ... Esme Grace
- Saturday (1979) ... Esme Grace
- Friday (1979) ... Esme Grace
1975-1978 Angels (TV Series)
Miss Heather Windrup / Heather Windrup / Miss Windrup
- Fraternity (1978) ... Miss Windrup
- Decisions (1978) ... Miss Heather Windrup
- Decision (1976) ... Heather Windrup
- Weekend (1976) ... Heather Windrup
- Ambition (1976) ... Heather Windrup
Show all 14 episodes
1977 The Mackinnons (TV Series)
Edith Crichton
- Playboy of the Western Highlands (1977) ... Edith Crichton
1975 Bloodbath
Heather
1974 Pogled iz potkrovlija
Elizabeth Janus
1974 Rooms (TV Series)
Mrs. Nolan
- Monica: Part Two (1974) ... Mrs. Nolan
- Monica: Part 1 (1974) ... Mrs. Nolan
1974 Affairs of the Heart (TV Series)
Louisa Bridgenorth
- Mary and Louisa (1974) ... Louisa Bridgenorth
1974 Thriller (TV Series)
Betty Cornfield
- In the Steps of a Dead Man (1974) ... Betty Cornfield
1973 Dolly (TV Series)
Dowager Countess of Mickleham
- The House Opposite (1973) ... Dowager Countess of Mickleham
1973 So It Goes (TV Series)
Madame Duchesne
- Fire Ball (1973) ... Madame Duchesne
- Free Fall (1973) ... Madame Duchesne
- Coming Home (1973) ... Madame Duchesne
1972-1973 War & Peace (TV Series)
Countess Rostova
- An Epilogue (1973) ... Countess Rostova
- The Road to Life (1973) ... Countess Rostova
- Of Life and Death (1973) ... Countess Rostova
- Two Meetings (1973) ... Countess Rostova
- Escape (1972) ... Countess Rostova
Show all 12 episodes
1971 Owen, M.D. (TV Series)
Alison
- Alison, Part 2 (1971) ... Alison
- Alison, Part 1 (1971) ... Alison
1971 The Expert (TV Series)
Judy Bodley
- A Clear and Easy Duty (1971) ... Judy Bodley
1971 The Misfit (TV Series)
Marion Pritchard
- On the Army Stores Vision of Paradise (1971) ... Marion Pritchard
1970 The Befrienders (TV Movie)
Arabella
1970 The Main Chance (TV Series)
Susan Crawford
- Settlement Day (1970) ... Susan Crawford
1970 The Adventures of Don Quick (TV Series)
Queen Bee
- The Love Reflector (1970) ... Queen Bee
1970/I Hamlet (TV Movie)
Gertrude
1970 Big Brother (TV Mini Series)
Elaine Priest
- The Wife Factor (1970) ... Elaine Priest
1970 W. Somerset Maugham (TV Series)
Muriel Bland
- The Alien Corn (1970) ... Muriel Bland
1969-1970 ITV Sunday Night Theatre (TV Series)
Enid Drake / Muriel Ingram
- Fade Out (1970) ... Enid Drake
- Hester Lilly (1969) ... Muriel Ingram
1969 Walk a Crooked Path
Elizabeth Hemming
1965-1969 The Wednesday Play (TV Series)
Anna Mackintosh / Eleanor Brinson
- The Mark II Wife (1969) ... Anna Mackintosh
- The Trial and Torture of Sir John Rampayne (1965) ... Eleanor Brinson
1969 School for Unclaimed Girls
Dr. Sands
1968 Adelaide
Dickson
1968 Man in a Suitcase (TV Series)
Eleanor Duzac
- Three Blinks of the Eyes (1968) ... Eleanor Duzac
1967 To Sir, with Love
Grace Evans
1967 Theatre 625 (TV Series)
Julia Stitch
- Sword of Honour #2: Officers and Gentlemen (1967) ... Julia Stitch
1966 ITV Sunday Night Drama (TV Series)
Maximilla
- Four Triumphant: St Andrew (1966) ... Maximilla
1966 Blackmail (TV Series)
Lady Enid Eversley
- Care and Protection (1966) ... Lady Enid Eversley
1966 Thirty-Minute Theatre (TV Series)
Phyllis
- A Girl's Best Friend (1966) ... Phyllis
1965 The Heroes of Telemark
Woman On Bus
1965 Six Shades of Black (TV Series)
Rose Decanter
- The Kindest Thing to Do (1965) ... Rose Decanter
1965 Story Parade (TV Series)
Francesca Bassington
- The Unbearable Bassington (1965) ... Francesca Bassington
1964 The Human Jungle (TV Series)
Mrs. Thomas
- Wild Goose Chase (1964) ... Mrs. Thomas
1956-1964 ITV Play of the Week (TV Series)
Helen Saville / Agnes Potter / Ilona / ...
- A Choice of Coward #3: The Vortex (1964) ... Helen Saville
- The Kidders (1958) ... Agnes Potter
- The Play's the Thing (1957) ... Ilona
- Second Threshold (1956) ... Miranda Bolton
1964 We Shall See
Alva Collins
1964 The Edgar Wallace Mystery Theatre (TV Series)
Alva Collins
- We Shall See (1964) ... Alva Collins
1964 The Finest Hours (Documentary)
Lady Randolph (voice)
1964 The Protectors (TV Series)
Dr. Bradbury
- The Bottle Shop (1964) ... Dr. Bradbury
1964 Dr. Finlay's Casebook (TV Series)
Fanny Senlac
- A Present from Father (1964) ... Fanny Senlac
1963 Love Story (TV Series)
- Love in a Small Town (1963)
1963 Suspense (TV Series)
Carolyn Manningham
- The Dogs of Durga Das (1963) ... Carolyn Manningham
1962 It Happened Like This (TV Series)
Mrs. Delmorton
- The Diamond Hairslide (1962) ... Mrs. Delmorton
1962 Harpers West One (TV Series)
Vicki Steele
- Episode #2.12 (1962) ... Vicki Steele
1962 A Chance to Shine (TV Movie)
Eve
1961 Maigret (TV Series)
Aline Calas
- The Simple Case (1961) ... Aline Calas
1961 Golden Girl (TV Series)
Janet Turner
- Day of Decision (1961) ... Janet Turner
- The High Man (1961) ... Janet Turner
- The Man in the Park (1961) ... Janet Turner
- The Extractor (1961) ... Janet Turner
- Held in Trust (1961) ... Janet Turner
Show all 6 episodes
1961 One Step Beyond (TV Series)
Nurse
- The Prisoner (1961) ... Nurse
1961 Theatre 70 (TV Series)
Louise de Vauquelin
- Summons to Appear (1961) ... Louise de Vauquelin
1960 Probation Officer (TV Series)
Vera Nolan
- Episode #2.5 (1960) ... Vera Nolan
1959 The Invisible Man (TV Series)
Carol Norton
- Picnic with Death (1959) ... Carol Norton
1959 The 39 Steps
Nannie
1953-1958 BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (TV Series)
Mrs. Cheveley / Catherine de Troyes / Alex Cornwall / ...
- An Ideal Husband (1958) ... Mrs. Cheveley
- Marching Song (1956) ... Catherine de Troyes
- Who Goes There! (1956) ... Alex Cornwall
- Captain Banner (1954) ... Caroline Sophia
- Operation North Star (1953) ... Helen Quaid
1958 ITV Television Playhouse (TV Series)
Ida Hay
- Honour Bright (1958) ... Ida Hay
1958 Saturday Playhouse (TV Series)
Connie Crawford
- Heroes Don't Care (1958) ... Connie Crawford
1958 Chase a Crooked Shadow
Mrs. Whitman
1957 White Hunter (TV Series)
Patricia
- Big Bwana Brady (1957) ... Patricia
1957 The Long Christmas Dinner (TV Movie)
Lucia
1957/II Violent Stranger
Joan Lennox
1957 Across the Bridge
Kay
1957 Tread Softly (TV Movie)
Andrea Nesbitt (Andy)
1956 Finger of Guilt
Lesley Wilson
1956 The Petrified Forest (TV Movie)
Mrs. Chisholm
1956 Wicked as They Come
Virginia Collins
1956 Kitty Clive (TV Movie)
Nance Oldfield
1955 Baker's Dozen (TV Movie)
Mrs. Payley-Paget
1955 ITV Opening Night at the Guildhall (TV Movie)
Excerpt from Baker's Dozen
1953 Martin Kane (TV Series)
Millie Talbot
- Eyewitness Resurfaces (1953) ... Millie Talbot
- The Nevans Murder Trail ... Millie Talbot
1951-1952 Robert Montgomery Presents (TV Series)
- The Law-Abiding (1952)
- Happy Birthday, George (1952)
- An Inspector Calls (1951)
1952 Claudia: The Story of a Marriage (TV Series)
1950-1951 Kraft Theatre (TV Series)
- Dear Brutus (1951)
- Mrs. Dane's Defense (1951)
- The Great Broxopp (1950)
1949-1951 Studio One (TV Series)
Ethel Mummery / Edith Bastin / Joan Bridges / ...
- Mr. Mummery's Suspicion (1951) ... Ethel Mummery
- Away from It All (1950) ... Edith Bastin
- The Willow Cabin (1950) ... Joan Bridges
- Of Human Bondage (1949) ... Sally Athelny
1950-1951 The Ford Theatre Hour (TV Series)
- Dead on the Vine (1951)
- Heart of Darkness (1950)
1950 Believe It or Not (TV Series)
- Murder by Moonlight (1950)
1948 Uneasy Terms
Viola Alardyse
1945 Think It Over (Short)
Sally Carson
1943 No Time for Love
Pert Brunette (uncredited)
1942 The Jungle Book
English Girl
1941 Suspicion
Alice Barham (uncredited)
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