Diana Dors was an extremely good actress who could hold her own in any company. She seemed to have that appealing self confidence in a lovely way – it is a trait that can be off-putting but not in this girl’s case
I like her early films such as ‘A Boy a Girl and a Bike’ and ‘Diamond City’, ‘Dance Hall’ and one of my real favourites ‘Holiday Camp’
She was also in Oliver Twist in 1948 ABOVE – in the company of such stars as Alec Guinness and Robert Newton
Diana Dors in her early years, looking lovely.
A chance to play opposite Burt Lancaster in 1952
Diana Dors had met Burt Lancaster in London – in his suite at Claridges – in the early 50s and he had offered her the part of Dalabo in his forthcoming film His Majesty O Keefe which was turned down by her then husband Dennis Hamilton – who was her business manager – in favour of a Summer Season at Blackpool as it turned out.
I am a great fan of Joan Rice who took the part – and was very good in it, but I also am an admirer of Diana Dors
It appears that Burt Lancaster asked to see Diana at his suite at Claridges in London and indeed she did have this meeting alone with Burt but with her husband lurking somewhere below. She later tested for the part by darkening her skin a little, donning a sarong, and wearing a black wig but Dennis would not let her take this part. It wouldn’t be much of a guess as to why.
I am pleased however that Joan Rice was successful – but can’t help but wonder what the film would have been like with Diana in that role – but more than that the effect it would have had on her future because she may well have seized the opportunity of such a big film as this. Her self confidence – which Joan Rice did not have at that time – would have opened doors in Hollywood – an opportunity that I am quite sure Diana would have grasped
Her husband thought better of her spending months in Fiji on a South Sea Island with Burt Lancaster.
Later on – in 1957 she did get to play opposite none other than the great Victor Mature in a film made here in England ‘The Long Haul’ which for fans of trucks and vehicles of that era is a must.
She got on very well with Victor Mature – you can imagine that she would, as somehow they seemed similar types both blessed with a great screen appeal.
Two Film Stars that I really like ABOVE – Diana Dors and Victor Mature
I agree with your assessment of Diana Dors. Don’t believe her husband of the time did her any favours. She was the Hollywood Star That never was. Real shame was she shone as star.
Thanks Daniel for your comments and your interest in this Blog. You are right in your comment about her husband affecting her film career – I am sure that is what happened. She had the charisma and acting talent to have succeeded even more than she did. Her later roles such as in ‘The Amazing Mr. Blunden’ proved good for her – that is a film I really like, however in her early years she made more films and looked so good in them. Thanks again, Neil
You are most welcome. Your Blog cleared up the mystery of why Diana Dors didn’t achieve far bigger success than she did. She excellent in a Film called ‘ Passport to Shame’. Sadly rarely seen these days. Unlike so much of her film work.
Daniel
One of Diana’s films that has been neglected is the 1962 British comedy “MRS GIBBONS BOYS”. It’s only ever been shown once on television and that was on BBC 1 on Monday, October 21st, 1974 and has not been shown since.
Thanks for pointing that out David. It is not a film I know at all but trying to look it up, I can’t see any DVDs of it for sale. You are quite specific on the date that it was last shown, so it seems that you may know this film. It had some good British Stars and is from a stage play – it should be a good one. Hope I can get hold of a copy. Neil
It seems that it’s not available for viewing anywhere, Neil. I know the date of its last television showing because in those days, long before the introduction of the domestic video recorder, I used to record films off television using an audio cassette tape recorder and I always wrote down the date of the recordings. It was originally released on the ABC circuit in late 1962 as the lower half of a double bill with the Cornel Wilde / Belinda Lee ancient Rome epic “CONSTANTINE THE GREAT”.
David. Well I have to say that is a great thing to do – I too did record the same way – I remember recording to Audio a very early Barry Norman programme on Hollywood Greats featuring Ronald Colman – and I also remember filming with my Super 8 film camera scenes from a Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan film and I still have that somewhere but I was not organised enough to put the date on. Anyway, Thanks for the information about the film and to know that it went our with ‘Constantine The Great’ – it sounds a great programme to see. Neil