Estelle Merle O'Brien Thompson was born in India on February 19, 1911 to a racially mixed Anglo-Indian mother and white Australian father. She was educated in that country until the age of 17 when she arrived in London.
Merle began her career in British films with mostly forgettable roles on her part. She appeared in an uncredited role in ALF'S BUTTON in 1930. Unfortunately, Merle would have that trend for the next three years. Movie moguls began to see an untapped talent in their midst and began grooming her for something bigger.
Finally, in 1933, she landed a part with substance with her role as Ysobel d'Aunay in MEN OF TOMORROW. That was quickly followed by THE PRIVATE LIFE OF HENRY VIII that same year. Up to this point she had been in British films only.
After her portrayal of Lady Marguerite Blakeney in THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL in 1934, she came to Hollywood to try her hand at American film making. The US had already had some idea of Merle's talent because they had seen THE BROKEN MELODY which was released in the US as VAGABOND VIOLINIST.
With her nomination for an Academy Award for Best Actress as Kitty Vane in 1935's THE DARK ANGEL, Merle became a star in both Britain and the US. Her portrayal of Miss Vane set the stage for better roles to come. She appeared in several well received films such as THESE THREE (1936), OVER THE MOON (1937), and THE DIVORCE OF LADY X (1938).
In 1939, Merle turned in another masterful performance as Cathy Linton in WUTHERING HEIGHTS. The 1940's proved to be a very busy decade where she appeared in no less than 15 movies. The beautiful Miss Oberon was kept very busy indeed.
In 1948 she appeared in BERLIN EXPRESS and would not be seen of the screen again until her appearance as Elizabeth Rockwell in PARDON MY FRENCH (1951). With no screen appearances in 1953, Merle bounced back in 1954's DESIREE. Unfortunately the drought was not getting any better.
There were no films for her in 1955, one in 1956, and none until OF LOVE AND DESIRE in 1963. In between she did appear on television as host of the TV series ASSIGNMENT FOREIGN LEGION. Her final film was INTERVAL in 1973.
Afterwards, Merle
lived in quiet retirement until her death of a massive stroke on November 23, 1979 in Malibu,
California. She was 68 and had kept her beauty to the end.
Fine photos of Merle
Merle Pic 1
Merle Pic 2
Merle Pic 3
Merle Pic 4
Merle Pic 5
Merle Pic 6
Click here to go to Paulette Goddard
My thanks to Cathy McGee for suggesting this actress. My thanks, also, goes to Michelle Falgoust who gave me information on Miss Oberon's parentage.
© 1998 Denny C. Jackson dejackso@iglou.com
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