Dora Bryan OBE (born Dora Mary Broadbent on February 7, 1924) is a British actress, a household name with a huge list of films to her credit. She was born in Southport, Lancashire, UK, and has a distinctive speaking voice which has become a trademark of her film and television performances. The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions; in decreasing order of seniority, these are Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross (GBE) Knight Commander... Image File history File links DBryan. ... is the 38th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the rap album, see 1924 (album). ... For other uses, see Southport (disambiguation). ... Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England, bounded to the west by the Irish Sea. ... The year 1947 in film involved some significant events. ... BAFTA Award The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), is a British organisation that hosts annual awards shows for film, television, childrens film and television, and interactive media. ... The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role has been presented to its winners since 1952 and actresses of all nationalities are eligible to receive the award. ... A Taste of Honey is a 1961 film adaptation of the play of the same name by Shelagh Delaney. ... The Laurence Olivier Awards, previously known as The Society of West End Theatre Awards, were renamed in honour of British actor Laurence Olivier, Baron Olivier in 1984, having first been established in 1976. ... The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions; in decreasing order of seniority, these are Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross (GBE) Knight Commander... is the 38th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the rap album, see 1924 (album). ... Actors in period costume sharing a joke whilst waiting between takes during location filming. ... For other uses, see Southport (disambiguation). ... Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England, bounded to the west by the Irish Sea. ...

Her father was a salesman and she attended Hathershaw Council School, Oldham. Her career began in pantomime before the Second World War, during which she joined the ENSA in Italy to entertain British troops in that theatre of the conflict. She became a regular performer in the West End of London following the war, where she became a star of theatrical revues. She soon followed many of her theatre contemporaries by moving into film acting, generally playing supporting roles. She often played women of easy virtue — for example in Ealing's The Blue Lamp (1950) and The Fallen Idol (1948), one of her earliest films. She appeared in similarly stereotypical female roles in other films, for example The Cockleshell Heroes (1955), Carry On Sergeant (1958) and The Green Man (1956). The Christmas Pantomime colour lithograph bookcover, 1890 Pantomime (informally, panto) refers to a theatrical genre, traditionally found in Great Britain, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Ireland, which is usually performed around the Christmas and New Year holiday season. ... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... The Entertainments National Service Association, or ENSA was an organisation set up in 1939 by the British Government to provide entertainment for British armed forces personnel during World War 2. ... The interior of Covent Garden Market in the West End The West End of London is an area of Central London, England, containing many of the citys major tourist attractions, businesses, and administrative headquarters. ... A revue is a type of theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance and sketches that satirize contemporary figures, news, or literature. ... Ealing Studios, a television and film production company and facilities provider at Ealing Green in West London, claims to be the oldest film studio in the world. ... The Blue Lamp is a British crime film released in early 1950 by Ealing Studios. ... The Fallen Idol is a 1948 film directed by Carol Reed and based on the short story The Basement Room, by Graham Greene. ... The Cockleshell Heroes is a 1955 2nd World War film with Trevor Howard, Antony Newley and José Ferrer, who also directed. ... Carry On Sergeant is the first Carry On film, and its first public screening was on 1st August 1958 at Screen One, London. ...

A Taste of Honey (1961) saw her role as a slatternly mother. The film won four BAFTA awards: Director Tony Richardson won Best British Screenplay (with Delaney) and Best British Film, Dora won Best Actress and co-star Rita Tushingham was named Most Promising Newcomer. A Taste of Honey is a 1961 film adaptation of the play of the same name by Shelagh Delaney. ...

She played a "dodgy" head mistress in The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery (1966). The Great St Trinians Train Robbery was a comedy film set in the fictional St Trinians School, made in 1966, a few years after the great train robbery had taken place. ...

She appeared in a cameo role in 1955 on the BBC radio series Hancock's Half Hour, episode titled 'Cinderella Hancock'. Hancocks Half Hour was a famous BBC radio comedy series of the 1950s starring Tony Hancock. ...

Dora had a top twenty hit in 1963, All I Want For Christmas Is A Beatle. Year 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 1971, Bryan appeared in the West End production of the Kander and Ebb musical 70, Girls, 70, then took a break from acting to raise children, although she made a public service TV advertisement for children's safety during this period. Since the early 1980s she has once again been very active. In 2004 she joined the cast of the long-running BBC comedy series Last of the Summer Wine as Aunt Roz. Her most recent film appearance was in MirrorMask (2005). West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre in London, England, or sometimes more specifically for shows staged in the large theatres of Londons Theatreland. Along with New Yorks Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre... Kander and Ebb is the songwriting team of composer John Kander, born March 18, 1927 and lyricist Fred Ebb (April 8, 1933 - September 11, 2004). ... 70, Girls, 70 is a musical with a book by Fred Ebb and Norman L. Martin, lyrics by Ebb, and music by John Kander. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... Last of the Summer Wine, written by Roy Clarke, is a British television sitcom. ... MirrorMask is a 2005 film from the Jim Henson Company, Samuel Goldwyn Films, and Destination Films. ...

In September 2006 she was due to tour in the comedy There's No Place Like a Home but withdrew early in the tour due to ill health.

Her autobiography According To Dora was published in 1987 and has since been updated and republished. In 1996, she was awarded the O.B.E. in recognition of her services to acting and she was awarded a Laurence Olivier Award in 1996 for her role in the West End theatre production of Harold Pinter play, The Birthday Party. Cover of the first English edition of 1793 of Benjamin Franklins autobiography. ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions; in decreasing order of seniority, these are Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross (GBE) Knight Commander... The Laurence Olivier Awards, previously known as The Society of West End Theatre Awards, were renamed in honour of British actor Laurence Olivier, Baron Olivier in 1984, having first been established in 1976. ... West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre in London, England, or sometimes more specifically for shows staged in the large theatres of Londons Theatreland. Along with New Yorks Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre... Harold Pinter, CH, CBE (born 10 October 1930) is an English playwright, screenwriter, poet, actor, director, author, and political activist. ... The Birthday Party is the second play by Harold Pinter. ...

She has been married to Bill Lawton since 1954, and is the mother of 3 children; she has been living in Brighton for over 30 years. She owned the Clarges Hotel in Brighton when it was used in on-location exterior shots for the comedy film Carry On Girls. Year 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other places with the same name, see Brighton (disambiguation). ... Carry On Girls is the twenty-fifth Carry On film, released in Britain in 1973. ...

Selected Television Roles

Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Last of the Summer Wine, written by Roy Clarke, is a British television sitcom. ...

External links

• Dora Bryan at the Internet Movie Database