Nancy Burne(1912-1954)

Nancy Burne was born in London, England. She was half Scottish, half Irish and made her professional debut as the Princess, the leading child's part in "The Windmill Man". She had two climbs to leading roles on the West End stage, and both of them included the job of understudying popular stage star June, the first time in "Clowns In Clover" and the second time in "Over The Page". In 1932 she was espied by film scouts in the revue "Ballyhoo", and very soon after she was given her first screen role - the lead opposite Stanley Lupino in "Facing the Music". Nancy starred in many films during the 1930's, most notably "Norah O'Neale" shot on location in Ireland (Nancy's personal favourite film she made.) Also "Dandy Dick" (1935) with Will Hay, and "It Happend in Paris" with John Loder, directed by Carol Reed. Nancy's last film was the Edgar Wallace story "Flying Fifty Five" released in 1939. After this, Nancy concentrated on her stage career, performing nationwide throughout the 1940's and early 1950's, often playing Cinderella in pantomime. Nancy died in Margate, aged 46 years in 1954, after suffering a long illness.