Actor
Ursula Howells
Born September 17, 1922 in Hammersmith, London, England, UKDied October 16, 200538 films
Howells was born in London, the daughter of composer Herbert Howells, and was educated at St Paul's Girls' School, where her father worked as Director of Music. She made her first stage appearance at Dundee in 1939, in John Drinkwater's Bird in Hand, then moved to Oxford in 1942 and three years later made her London debut at the Embassy Theatre, Swiss Cottage. In 1947 she appeared in the comedy Jane at the Aldwych Theatre. After several years in the West End, and a brief stint on Broadway where she appeared in Springtime for Henry in 1951, she began to appear in films.
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After the death of her father in 1983, Ursula Howells instigated the "Herbert Howells Society" and became a standard bearer for the promotion of his work. She financially supported the recording of his compositions and did much to encourage the publishing and promotion of church music.
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The best way into Ursula Howells's work
First watchDr. Terror's House of Horrors19656.5as Mrs. Deirdre Biddulph (segment 1 "Werewolf")Five train passengers are joined by a mysterious fortuneteller who offers to read Tarot. A quintet of stories unfold: an architect returns to his ancestral home to find a vengeful…View filmEssential films
Ranked by acclaim and reachFilmography
38 films as actor- 1999The Tichborne ClaimantLady Doughty
- 1998A Rather English MarriageMary
- 1994A Pinch of SnuffAlice Andover
- 1986Time After TimeMay Swift
- 1984The Cold RoomHeadmistress
- 1980The EnigmaMrs Fielding
- 1980Gentle FolkMrs Menant
- 1978When the Actors ComeBarbara Karolina
- 1974Little FearsThe Older Woman
- 1974Miss NightingaleAunt May
- 1973Father Dear FatherBarbara
- 1972Franklin's FarmPrue
- 1970Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny & GirlyMumsy
- 1969CrossplotMaggi Thwaites
- 1968Assignment KEstelle
- 1967Torture GardenMiss Maxine Chambers (segment 3 "Mr. Steinway")
- 1965Dr. Terror's House of HorrorsMrs. Deirdre Biddulph (segment 1 "Werewolf")
- 1964A Choice of Coward: Present LaughterLiz Essendine
- 196380,000 SuspectsJoanna Duten
- 1963The Madhouse on Castle StreetMartha Tompkins
- 1963The SiciliansMme. Perrault
- 1962Two Letter AlibiLouise
- 1957Now Let Him GoNurse Judith
- 1957Account RenderedLucille Ainsworth
- 1957West of SuezEileen
- 1956The Long ArmMrs. Elliot / Mrs. Gilson
- 1956Keep It CleanPat Anstey
- 1955They Can't Hang MeAntonia Pitt
- 1955Track the Man DownMary Dennis
- 1955The Constant HusbandAnn
- 1955The Gilded CageBrenda Lucas
- 1954The Weak and the WickedPam Vickers
- 1953The Blakes Slept HereEmily
- 1953The OraclePeggy
- 1953Number ThreeMaureen Dartington
- 1952I Believe in YouHon. Ursula
- 1952The Cocktail Party
- 1951Flesh and BloodHarriet Marshall
