Valerie Hobson
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Notes
Ms. Hobson became active as a volunteer on behalf of mentally-challenged children and those afflicted with leprosy during the 1970. 80s and 90s
Biography
This pretty daughter of a British army officer became an elegant leading lady of British film in the 1930s and 40s. Shortly after enrolling at RADA at age 16, Valerie Hobson was cast in her first film the inferior "Eyes of Fate" (1933). The following year, she headed to Hollywood and Universal where she was wasted in several pictures, often as a terror-stricken victim. One highlight of her days in L.A., though, was as Colin Clive's wife in James Whale's "The Bride of Frankenstein" (1935). Hobson also was cast as the exotic Helena Landless in the fair screen version of "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" (also 1935). Returning to England, the actress found roles of more variety and soon became one of the most versatile and popular performers. Hobson delivered a stylish portrayal as the wisecracking, crime-solving wife of a reporter in "This Man Is News" (1938), a sort of British "Thin Man." She followed with a handful of spy thrillers, including two with Conrad Veidt, "The Spy in Black/U-Boat 29" (1939) and "Contraband/Blackout" (1940). Her postwar career yielded her best role, though. In David Lean's 1946 rendering of "Great Expectations," Hobson was stunning as the adult Estella. She also was impressive as one of the two women romanced by Dennis Price in "Kind Hearts and Coronets" (1949). After the dissolution of her marriage to producer Anthony Havelock-Allan in 1952, Hobson only appeared in two more films before retiring at the age of 37 following her marriage to British politician John Profumo. When a sex scandal involving her husband made headlines in the early 1960s, she remained steadfastly by his side. In the 1989 film "Scandal," which dramatized the events of the 60s, Hobson was portrayed on screen by actress Deborah Grant.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Cast (Short)
Life Events
1932
Stage debut in "Ball at the Savoy"
1933
Feature film debut at age 16 in "Eyes of Fate"
1935
Moved to Hollywood for one year
1935
Co-starred as Colin Clive's wife in James Whale's classic "The Bride of Frankenstein"
1935
Cast as the exotic Helena Landless in "The Mystery of Edwin Drood"
1946
Delivered a memorable performance as Estella in David Lean's film version of "Great Expectations"
1949
Featured in "Kind Hearts and Coronets"
1953
Last stage appearance as Anna in the stage musical "The King and I" in London
1954
Final film, "Lovers, Happy Lovers!/Knave of Hearts"
1963
Stood by her husband during a sex scandal which forced his resignation
1989
Portrayed by actress Deborah Grant in the film "Scandal"
Photo Collections
Videos
Movie Clip
Trailer
Family
Companions
Bibliography
Notes
Ms. Hobson became active as a volunteer on behalf of mentally-challenged children and those afflicted with leprosy during the 1970. 80s and 90s
