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Article: Mabel Poulton : OBITUARIES
- Article from:
- The Independent (London, England)
- Article date:
- December 30, 1994
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 1994 The Independent - London. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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When talking pictures reached Europe one of the casualties was
Mabel Poulton. In the class-bound British cinema of the time, even a
slight Cockney accent could be a drawback.
The year of her triumph was 1928. The Gainsborough company under
Michael Balcon had acquired the film rights of the highly successful
novel The Constant Nymph, by Margaret Kennedy. Basil Dean had helped
to adapt the stage play for the screen and became supervisor, with
Adrian Brunel directing. Dorothy Gish was rumoured to be the
favourite for Tessa, which Edna Best was playing on the stage. Among
many Tessas given camera tests was Daphne du Maurier. The final
choice was Mabel Poulton.
Basil Dean wrote: "She possessed ...