India's Only Top Hollywood Heroine
Does anyone remember Merle Oberon?
Estelle Merle O'Brien Thompson was born in Bombay of Welsh-Indian parentage in 1911. 'Queenie' (her nickname) escaped an aimless life by sailing to London with an English boyfriend at the age of 17. There, while she was trying to enter films, she did odd jobs like entertaining at the Cafe de Paris. She got only bit parts till her looks and talent were noticed by Alexander Korda, Britain's Hungarian emigre movie mogul. She appeared in Men of Tomorrow in 1933. Then came the starring role of Anne Boleyn in the The Private Life of Henry VIII. Successes in London led her on to Hollywood.
Among her big movies were The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Divorce of Lady X , Wuthering Heights (a memorable performance) and Berlin Express. She was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar for her role in The Dark Angel (1935). She acted with many top stars, including Gary Cooper, Laurence Olivier, Leslie Howard, Marlon Brando and David Niven.
Merle Oberon married Alexander Korda. She was with him at the presentation when Korda received a Knighthood at Buckingham Palace in 1942. So she was the first Lady Korda. After divorcing Korda, she went through two more divorces, and then married actor Robert Wolders. She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
She died of a massive stroke in 1979 at Malibu, California.
Throughout her life she was secretive about her parentage, family and early life in Bombay.
A glittery, almost fairy-tale story! A teen girl adrift on the streets of British Bombay, Queenie set out to make something of her life and achieved world stardom.
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A Blog begun years ago as a stroll
on the Funny Side of Serious Street, highlighting India's problems.
Revived now by adding memories of old Bombay, including excerpts from
Dreams of One Country.
Does anyone remember Merle Oberon?
Estelle Merle O'Brien Thompson was born in Bombay of Welsh-Indian parentage in 1911. 'Queenie' (her nickname) escaped an aimless life by sailing to London with an English boyfriend at the age of 17. There, while she was trying to enter films, she did odd jobs like entertaining at the Cafe de Paris. She got only bit parts till her looks and talent were noticed by Alexander Korda, Britain's Hungarian emigre movie mogul. She appeared in Men of Tomorrow in 1933. Then came the starring role of Anne Boleyn in the The Private Life of Henry VIII. Successes in London led her on to Hollywood.
Among her big movies were The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Divorce of Lady X , Wuthering Heights (a memorable performance) and Berlin Express. She was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar for her role in The Dark Angel (1935). She acted with many top stars, including Gary Cooper, Laurence Olivier, Leslie Howard, Marlon Brando and David Niven.
Merle Oberon married Alexander Korda. She was with him at the presentation when Korda received a Knighthood at Buckingham Palace in 1942. So she was the first Lady Korda. After divorcing Korda, she went through two more divorces, and then married actor Robert Wolders. She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
She died of a massive stroke in 1979 at Malibu, California.
Throughout her life she was secretive about her parentage, family and early life in Bombay.
A glittery, almost fairy-tale story! A teen girl adrift on the streets of British Bombay, Queenie set out to make something of her life and achieved world stardom.
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Tail-Lights:
New India Theme
A Revolutionary Theme, the people's inspired March to an Ek Desh India, lights up Dreams of One Country by Jagjit (and John Daniel). You can easily check it out on Amazon.com. If a transforming India theme appeals to you, venture to download the novel on any device - I-phone, pad or computer.***
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