BIOGRAPHY OF THE STARS

Chronicle (Levin), 16 May 1946, Page 7

BIOGRAPHY OF THE STARS

VIARGARET LOCKWOOD BRITISH FAVOURITE Margafet Lockwood's public is divided in opinion as to the type of part their favourite should play: Some prefer to see her as the innocent, laughter-loving heroine of "Dear Octopus" and "Quiet Wedding," others like her as Hesther, the villainess of "The Man in Grey." Gainsborough Pictures, to whom Margaret has been under contract since the beginning of her screen career, have decid'ed not to type their star in any one particular kind of role, but to let her play a ariety of parts. In "Give us the Moon" she appeared as a crazy, Light-hearted and sophisticated Russian girl; in "Love Story" she played a sympathetic part of a brilliant pianist with only a year to live. "A Place of One's Own" finds her as a sensitive girl influenced by a ghost, and in "I'll be your Sweetheart" she is a music hall star. Born in Karachi in 1916 where her father was chief engineer to one of the big railways, Margaret Lockwood went to England as a child and was educated at Sydenham High School. She studied elocution at the Royal Academy oi Dramatic Art and was chosen by Producer Leontine Sagan for the leading role in "Hannele" at thc Haymarket Theatre when she was still a student. From this time Margaret was set firmly on the road to stardom. First one and then another famous producer gave ner stage roles and soon the film companies were taking an interest in the young actress. She made her film debut in "The Case of Gabrielle Perry" for British Lion, and after she had played with Maurice Chevalier in "The Beloved Vagabond," Maurice Ostrer, of Gainsborough Pictures, stepped in and gave her a two years contract. When this expired and Margaret had played in a number of "build up" roles, she was put under longterm contract to Gainsborough. Slim and dark, with a lovely smile and sunny good nature, Margaret is married to Rupert de Leen, and has a small daughter, Margaret Julia.