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{{Short description|American born actress (1914–1979)}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| image = Barbara_Mullen.jpg
| name = Barbara Mullen
| image = Barbara Mullen in One Step Beyond (Justice).jpg
| caption = Mullen in an episode of ''[[:en:Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond|One Step Beyond]]'' (1960)
| birth_name = Barbara Eleanor Mullen
| birth_name = Barbara Eleanor Mullen
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1914|6|9}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1914|6|9}}
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}}
}}


'''Barbara Mullen''' (9 June 1914{{spaced ndash}}9 March 1979<ref name="imdbbio">[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0611984/bio Biographical detail]: [[Internet Movie Database|IMDB.com]] website. Retrieved on 18 March 2008.</ref>) was an American actress well known in the UK for playing the part of Janet McPherson, the [[Housekeeper (domestic worker)|housekeeper]] in ''[[Dr. Finlay's Casebook (TV and radio)|Dr. Finlay's Casebook]]''.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0159867/ Janet the housekeeper], ''[[Dr. Finlay|Dr. Finlay's Casebook]]'': IMDB.com website. Retrieved on 18 March 2008.</ref> Although the role of Janet brought her fame in later years, she already had made her mark in the theatre.
'''Barbara Mullen''' (9 June 1914{{spaced ndash}}9 March 1979<ref name="ODNB">{{Cite ODNB|id=55530|title=Mullen, Barbara Eleanor (1914–1979)}}</ref>) was an American-born actress well known in the [[United Kingdom]] for playing the part of Janet McPherson, the [[Housekeeper (domestic worker)|housekeeper]] in ''[[Dr. Finlay's Casebook (TV and radio)|Dr. Finlay's Casebook]]''.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0159867/ Janet the housekeeper], ''[[Dr. Finlay|Dr. Finlay's Casebook]]'': IMDB.com website. Retrieved on 18 March 2008.</ref> Although the role of Janet brought her fame in later years, she already had made her mark in the theatre.


Mullen's parents, [[Pat Mullen|Pat]] and Bridget, were from a fishing family on [[Inishmore]] island off the coast of [[County Galway]], Ireland. The family had emigrated to Boston, Massachusetts, where Mullen was born. She made her stage debut as a dancer at the age of three. When her father returned to Aran, later contributing to the making of ''Man of Aran'', the classic documentary film by [[Robert J. Flaherty]],<ref>[http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/IRL-ARAN-ISLANDS/2003-12/1070369123 Daughter of Pat Mullen]: [[The Generations Network|RootsWeb]] website. Retrieved on 18 March 2008.</ref> her mother stayed in the U.S. to bring up the 10 children. Mullen sang and danced in various theatres all over the U.S. and then moved to the UK in 1934, where she trained at the [[Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art]].
Mullen's parents were Pat and Bridget. [[Pat Mullen|Pat]] was from a fishing family on [[Inishmore]] island off the coast of [[County Galway]], Ireland. He met his first wife, Bridget in South Boston, Massachusetts, where she had emigrated from Galway with her late husband, Patrick Crowe. Mullen was born in Boston. She made her stage debut as a dancer at the age of three. When her father returned to Aran, later contributing to the making of ''Man of Aran'', the classic documentary film by [[Robert J. Flaherty]],<ref>[http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/IRL-ARAN-ISLANDS/2003-12/1070369123 Daughter of Pat Mullen]: [[The Generations Network|RootsWeb]] website. Retrieved on 18 March 2008.</ref> her mother stayed in the U.S. to bring up the 8 children. Mullen sang and danced in various theatres all over the U.S. and then moved to the UK in 1934, where she trained at the [[Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art]].


She wrote ''Life is my Adventure'', her autobiography, at 23. A year later she made her London debut, acting the title role in the London West End production of ''Jeannie'', a comedy about a Scottish girl taking a European holiday after coming into money. She became an overnight star.
She wrote ''Life is my Adventure'', her autobiography, at 23. A year later she made her London debut, acting the title role in the London West End production of ''Jeannie'', a comedy about a Scottish girl taking a European holiday after coming into money. She became an overnight star.


She later succeeded [[Celia Johnson]] as Mrs. De Winter in [[Daphne du Maurier]]'s ''[[Rebecca_(novel)#Theatre|Rebecca]]'', played Maggie in a revival of ''[[What Every Woman Knows (play)|What Every Woman Knows]]'' by [[J.M. Barrie]], and played the aged sleuth [[Miss Marple]] in ''[[The Murder at the Vicarage]]'' by [[Agatha Christie]].
She later succeeded [[Celia Johnson]] as Mrs. De Winter in [[Daphne du Maurier]]'s ''[[Rebecca (novel)#Theatre|Rebecca]]'', played Maggie in a revival of ''[[What Every Woman Knows (play)|What Every Woman Knows]]'' by [[J.M. Barrie]], and played the aged sleuth [[Miss Marple]] in ''[[The Murder at the Vicarage]]'' by [[Agatha Christie]].


Mullen repeated the role of 'Jeannie' on television and in the 1941 British film, which was her cinema debut, alongside [[Michael Redgrave]], and she followed this with appearances in 20 more films, including ''[[A Place of One's Own]]'', ''[[Corridor of Mirrors (film)|Corridor of Mirrors]]'' and ''[[Innocent Sinners]]''. She also played a notable role in the 1942 film version of [[Robert Ardrey]]'s ''[[Thunder Rock (film)|Thunder Rock]]'' as Ellen Kirby, the feminist who is jailed for her subversive ideas.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035440/ Ellen Kirby] in ''[[Thunder Rock (play)|Thunder Rock]]'' (1942): IMDB.com website. Retrieved on 18 March 2008.</ref>
Mullen repeated the role of 'Jeannie' on television and in the 1941 British film, which was her cinema debut, alongside [[Michael Redgrave]], and she followed this with appearances in 20 more films, including ''[[A Place of One's Own]]'', ''[[Corridor of Mirrors (film)|Corridor of Mirrors]]'' and ''[[Innocent Sinners]]''. She also played a notable role in the 1942 film version of [[Robert Ardrey]]'s ''[[Thunder Rock (film)|Thunder Rock]]'' as Ellen Kirby, the feminist who is jailed for her subversive ideas.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035440/ Ellen Kirby] in ''[[Thunder Rock (play)|Thunder Rock]]'' (1942): IMDB.com website. Retrieved on 18 March 2008.</ref>


She was married to documentary film-maker [[John Taylor (documentary filmmaker)|John Taylor]], ''Man of Aran'''s cameraman, <ref name="imdbbio" /> and they had two daughters, Briged and Susannah.
She was married to documentary film-maker [[John Taylor (documentary filmmaker)|John Taylor]], ''Man of Aran'''s cameraman,<ref name="ODNB"/> and they had two daughters, Briged and Susannah.


She appeared on television in America and Britain in programmes such as ''[[Juno and the Paycock]]'' and ''[[The Danny Thomas Show]]'' before being offered the role in ''Dr. Finlay's Casebook'', which began on the BBC in 1962. Her character, Janet McPherson, was the ever-efficient housekeeper to Doctors Finlay and Cameron at Arden House in the fictional Scottish village of [[Tannochbrae]]. When the series was nearing its end on television, in 1970 it transferred to radio - running until 1978.
She appeared on television in America and Britain in programmes such as ''[[Juno and the Paycock]]'' and ''[[The Danny Thomas Show]]'' before being offered the role in ''Dr. Finlay's Casebook'', which began on the BBC in 1962. Her character, Janet McPherson, was the ever-efficient housekeeper to Doctors Finlay and Cameron at Arden House in the fictional Scottish village of [[Tannochbrae]]. When the series was nearing its end on television, in 1970 it transferred to radio - running until 1978.


She was the subject of ''[[This Is Your Life (UK TV series)|This Is Your Life]]'' in March 1964 when she was surprised by [[Eamonn Andrews]] in [[central London]].
She was the subject of ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)|This Is Your Life]]'' in March 1964 when she was surprised by [[Eamonn Andrews]] in [[central London]].


Barbara Mullen died of a heart attack in London, England on 9 March 1979.<ref name="imdbbio" />
Barbara Mullen died at [[Hammersmith Hospital]], London from a heart attack on 9 March 1979.<ref name="ODNB"/>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
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|1945|| ''[[A Place of One's Own]]'' || Mrs. Smedhurst ||
|1945|| ''[[A Place of One's Own]]'' || Mrs. Smedhurst ||
|-
|-
|1946|| ''The Trojan Brothers'' || Margie Castelli ||
|1946|| ''[[The Trojan Brothers (film)|The Trojan Brothers]]'' || Margie Castelli ||
|-
|-
|1948|| ''[[Corridor of Mirrors (film)|Corridor of Mirrors]]'' || Veronica ||
|rowspan=2 | 1948|| ''[[Corridor of Mirrors (film)|Corridor of Mirrors]]'' || Veronica ||
|-
|-
|1948|| ''[[My Sister and I (1948 film)|My Sister and I]]'' || Hypatia Foley ||
| ''[[My Sister and I (1948 film)|My Sister and I]]'' || Hypatia Foley ||
|-
|-
|1951|| ''[[Talk of a Million]]'' || Bessie Murnahan ||
|1951|| ''[[Talk of a Million]]'' || Bessie Murnahan ||
|-
|-
|1952|| ''[[So Little Time (film)|So Little Time]]'' || Anna ||
|rowspan=2 | 1952|| ''[[So Little Time (film)|So Little Time]]'' || Anna ||
|-
|-
|1952|| ''[[The Gentle Gunman]]'' || Molly Fagan ||
| ''[[The Gentle Gunman]]'' || Molly Fagan ||
|-
|-
|1954|| ''The Last Moment'' || Mrs. O'Driscoll || (segment: 'The Sensible Man')
|rowspan=2 | 1954|| ''The Last Moment'' || Mrs. O'Driscoll || (segment: 'The Sensible Man')
|-
|-
|1954|| ''[[Destination Milan]]'' || Miss Busbee ||
| ''[[Destination Milan]]'' || Miss Busbee ||
|-
|-
|1958|| ''[[Innocent Sinners]]'' || Mrs.Vincent ||
|1958|| ''[[Innocent Sinners]]'' || Mrs.Vincent ||
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|-
|-
|1963|| ''[[The Very Edge]]'' || Dr. Shaw ||
|1963|| ''[[The Very Edge]]'' || Dr. Shaw ||
|-
|1966
|''[[Miss MacTaggart Won't Lie Down]]''
|Miss MacTaggart
|short film
|}
|}


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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Portal|Biography}}
{{Portal|Biography}}
*{{IMDb name|0611984}}
*{{IMDb name|0611984}}
* This Is Your Life- Barbara Mullen in 1964 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikKfP21Q85k&t=20s]
*[http://www.bigredbook.info/barbara_mullen.html Barbara Mullen's appearance on This Is Your Life]



{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mullen, Barbara}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mullen, Barbara}}
[[Category:1914 births]]
[[Category:1914 births]]
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[[Category:Actresses from Boston]]
[[Category:Actresses from Boston]]
[[Category:American people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:American people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:20th-century American women]]
[[Category:20th-century American actresses]]
[[Category:American emigrants to the United Kingdom]]

Latest revision as of 07:54, 2 August 2024

Barbara Mullen
Mullen in an episode of One Step Beyond (1960)
Born
Barbara Eleanor Mullen

(1914-06-09)June 9, 1914
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedMarch 9, 1979(1979-03-09) (aged 64)
London, England
OccupationTelevision actress
Years active1941–1978
SpouseJohn Taylor
Parent(s)Pat Mullen
Bridget Mullen

Barbara Mullen (9 June 1914 – 9 March 1979[1]) was an American-born actress well known in the United Kingdom for playing the part of Janet McPherson, the housekeeper in Dr. Finlay's Casebook.[2] Although the role of Janet brought her fame in later years, she already had made her mark in the theatre.

Mullen's parents were Pat and Bridget. Pat was from a fishing family on Inishmore island off the coast of County Galway, Ireland. He met his first wife, Bridget in South Boston, Massachusetts, where she had emigrated from Galway with her late husband, Patrick Crowe. Mullen was born in Boston. She made her stage debut as a dancer at the age of three. When her father returned to Aran, later contributing to the making of Man of Aran, the classic documentary film by Robert J. Flaherty,[3] her mother stayed in the U.S. to bring up the 8 children. Mullen sang and danced in various theatres all over the U.S. and then moved to the UK in 1934, where she trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art.

She wrote Life is my Adventure, her autobiography, at 23. A year later she made her London debut, acting the title role in the London West End production of Jeannie, a comedy about a Scottish girl taking a European holiday after coming into money. She became an overnight star.

She later succeeded Celia Johnson as Mrs. De Winter in Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, played Maggie in a revival of What Every Woman Knows by J.M. Barrie, and played the aged sleuth Miss Marple in The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie.

Mullen repeated the role of 'Jeannie' on television and in the 1941 British film, which was her cinema debut, alongside Michael Redgrave, and she followed this with appearances in 20 more films, including A Place of One's Own, Corridor of Mirrors and Innocent Sinners. She also played a notable role in the 1942 film version of Robert Ardrey's Thunder Rock as Ellen Kirby, the feminist who is jailed for her subversive ideas.[4]

She was married to documentary film-maker John Taylor, Man of Aran's cameraman,[1] and they had two daughters, Briged and Susannah.

She appeared on television in America and Britain in programmes such as Juno and the Paycock and The Danny Thomas Show before being offered the role in Dr. Finlay's Casebook, which began on the BBC in 1962. Her character, Janet McPherson, was the ever-efficient housekeeper to Doctors Finlay and Cameron at Arden House in the fictional Scottish village of Tannochbrae. When the series was nearing its end on television, in 1970 it transferred to radio - running until 1978.

She was the subject of This Is Your Life in March 1964 when she was surprised by Eamonn Andrews in central London.

Barbara Mullen died at Hammersmith Hospital, London from a heart attack on 9 March 1979.[1]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1941 Jeannie Jeannie McLean
1942 Thunder Rock Ellen Kirby
1944 Welcome, Mr. Washington Jane Willoughby
1945 A Place of One's Own Mrs. Smedhurst
1946 The Trojan Brothers Margie Castelli
1948 Corridor of Mirrors Veronica
My Sister and I Hypatia Foley
1951 Talk of a Million Bessie Murnahan
1952 So Little Time Anna
The Gentle Gunman Molly Fagan
1954 The Last Moment Mrs. O'Driscoll (segment: 'The Sensible Man')
Destination Milan Miss Busbee
1958 Innocent Sinners Mrs.Vincent
1959 The Siege of Pinchgut Mrs. Fulton
1960 The Challenge Ma Piper
1963 The Very Edge Dr. Shaw
1966 Miss MacTaggart Won't Lie Down Miss MacTaggart short film

Sources

[edit]
  • Life is My Adventure, Barbara Mullen, Faber & Faber, London, 1937.
  • Man of Aran, Pat Mullen, E.P. Dutton & Co., New York, 1935.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Mullen, Barbara Eleanor (1914–1979)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/55530. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  2. ^ Janet the housekeeper, Dr. Finlay's Casebook: IMDB.com website. Retrieved on 18 March 2008.
  3. ^ Daughter of Pat Mullen: RootsWeb website. Retrieved on 18 March 2008.
  4. ^ Ellen Kirby in Thunder Rock (1942): IMDB.com website. Retrieved on 18 March 2008.
[edit]
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