Janet Ramsey Johnson
Encyclopedia
Janet Johnson was an Australian born actress who briefly achieved fame on stage and in films in Australia and Britain before marrying British gothic novelist Charles Birkin in 1940.
She was born Janet Ramsey Johnson in Adelaide, South Australia in 1914, one of two daughters of Peter and Jeanie Johnson. Living later in Melbourne and with some Australian stage experience behind her, she appeared in the leading role in Harry Southwell’s relatively unknown film The Burgomeister, in 1935. Following encouragement from US director Miles Mander
, Johnson travelled to England in March 1936, intent upon expanding her career. She appeared in supporting roles in several films over the next few years, including Michael Balcon
’s vehicle for Paul Robeson
, The Proud Valley
. She also appeared on stage in London, performing with Lilian Braithwaite
at least four times. She spent six months in Hollywood at the invitation of Twentieth Century Fox in early 1937, but no films roles were forthcoming. She reportedly said "Hollywood made me feel such a fish out of water." Her final British film was a supporting part in the B film, Mrs Pym of Scotland Yard, released in 1940.
In July 1940 she married Sir Charles Birkin
, after which she retired from acting in film. Sir Charles and she had three children; Jennifer, Amanda and John, the current baronet.
She died in London on 18 December 1983.
She was born Janet Ramsey Johnson in Adelaide, South Australia in 1914, one of two daughters of Peter and Jeanie Johnson. Living later in Melbourne and with some Australian stage experience behind her, she appeared in the leading role in Harry Southwell’s relatively unknown film The Burgomeister, in 1935. Following encouragement from US director Miles Mander
Miles Mander
Miles Mander , born Lionel Henry Mander , was a well-known and versatile English character actor of the early Hollywood cinema, also a film director and producer, and a playwright and novelist.-Early life:Miles Mander was the second son of Theodore Mander, builder of Wightwick Manor, of the prominent...
, Johnson travelled to England in March 1936, intent upon expanding her career. She appeared in supporting roles in several films over the next few years, including Michael Balcon
Michael Balcon
Sir Michael Elias Balcon was an English film producer, known for his work with Ealing Studios.-Background:...
’s vehicle for Paul Robeson
Paul Robeson
Paul Leroy Robeson was an American concert singer , recording artist, actor, athlete, scholar who was an advocate for the Civil Rights Movement in the first half of the twentieth century...
, The Proud Valley
The Proud Valley
The Proud Valley is a 1940 Ealing Studios film starring the African-American actor Paul Robeson. Filmed on location in the South Wales coalfield the heart of the main coal mining region of Wales, the film tells the story of a Black American miner and singer who gets a job in a mine and joins a male...
. She also appeared on stage in London, performing with Lilian Braithwaite
Lilian Braithwaite
Dame Lilian Braithwaite DBE , born Florence Lilian Braithwaite, was an English actress.She was the daughter of a clergyman, and born in Ramsgate, Kent. She was educated at Croydon High School, and married actor-manager Gerald Lawrence, first acting with amateur companies...
at least four times. She spent six months in Hollywood at the invitation of Twentieth Century Fox in early 1937, but no films roles were forthcoming. She reportedly said "Hollywood made me feel such a fish out of water." Her final British film was a supporting part in the B film, Mrs Pym of Scotland Yard, released in 1940.
In July 1940 she married Sir Charles Birkin
Charles Birkin
Sir Charles Lloyd Birkin, 5th Baronet was an English author of horror short stories and the editor of the Creeps Library of anthologies...
, after which she retired from acting in film. Sir Charles and she had three children; Jennifer, Amanda and John, the current baronet.
She died in London on 18 December 1983.