Eleanor Summerfield


Eleanor Audrey Summerfield was an English actress who appeared in many plays, films and television series. She is known for her roles in Laughter in Paradise, Final Appointment, Odongo, Dentist in the Chair, On the Fiddle, The Running Man and Some Will, Some Won't.

Early life and career

She was born as Eleanor Audrey Summerfield in St Pancras, London, on 7 March 1921. Summerfield trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1937.
Summerfield made her screen debut in the 1946 television drama A Phoenix Too Frequent, which was based on a play of the same name. Her first stage show was Her Excellency at the London Hippodrome in 1949. In the mid-1960s, she played P. G. Wodehouse's character Aunt Dahlia on the black-and-white television series The World of Wooster aired on BBC One. She was also a regular member in the panel game Just a Minute and was a team member for the entire 15-year run of Many a Slip. During her career spanning nearly half a century, she appeared in a number of films and television series. Other TV series she appeared in included Lovejoy: Season 2: Episode 5, 1991 "List of [Lovejoy episodes#Who Dares, Sings|Who Dares, Sings]" as May Walker; and Midsomer Murders: Series 1: Episode 4, 1998 "Faithful Until Death" as Elfrida Molfrey.

Personal life and death

Summerfield was married to actor Leonard Sachs from 1947 until his death in 1990. They had two sons, including Robin Sachs.
She died in Westminster, London, on 13 July 2001, aged 80.

Filmography

Take My Life - Miss CarteretLondon [Belongs to Me] - The BlondeThe Weaker Sex - Clippie The Story of Shirley Yorke - DorisAll Over the Town - Beryl HopperMan on the Run - May Baker, Anchor HotelNo Way Back - BerylThe Third Visitor - Vera KurtonLaughter in Paradise - Sheila WilcottScrooge - Miss FloraThe Last Page - ViMandy - Lily TaborTop Secret - CeciliaStreet Corner - Edna HurranIsn't Life Wonderful! - Aunt KateFace [the Music (film)|Face the Music] - Barbara QuigleyMurder by Proxy - Margaret 'Maggie' DooneFinal Appointment - JennyLost - Sgt. CookOdongo - Celia WatfordIt's Great to Be Young - BarmaidNo Road Back - MargueriteA Cry from the Streets - GloriaDentist in the Chair - EthelThe Millionairess - Mrs. WilloughbyCarry On Regardless - Mrs. Riley Spare the Rod - Mrs. HarknessDon't Bother to Knock - MotherOn the Fiddle - Flora McNaughtonPetticoat Pirates - Chief Wren Mabel RawlinsGuns of Darkness - Mrs. BastianOn the Beat - Sgt. Lucilla WilkinsThe Running Man - Hilda TannerThe Yellow Hat - Lady XeniaThe Spy Killer - Mrs. RobertsForeign Exchange - Mrs. RobertsSome Will, Some Won't - Elizabeth RobsonThe [Watcher in the Woods (1980 film)|The Watcher in the Woods] - Mrs. ThayerThe [Island of Adventure (film)|The Island of Adventure] - Aunt Polly