Doreen Catherine Mary Montgomery (12 April 1913 in

Glasgow Glasgow ( ; sco, Glesca or ; gd, Glaschu ) is the most populous city in Scotland and the fourth-most populous city in the United Kingdom, as well as being the 27th largest city by population in Europe. In 2020, it had an estimated popul ...

– 24 February 1992 in

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

) was a British

screenwriter A screenplay writer (also called screenwriter, scriptwriter, scribe or scenarist) is a writer who practices the craft of screenwriting, writing screenplays on which mass media, such as films, television programs and video games, are based. ...

Biography

Montgomery graduated from the

University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh ( sco, University o Edinburgh, gd, Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann; abbreviated as ''Edin.'' in post-nominals) is a public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Granted a royal charter by King James VI in 15 ...

with an arts degree. She submitted scripts to

Associated British Picture Corporation Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC), originally British International Pictures (BIP), was a British film production, distribution and exhibition company active from 1927 until 1970 when it was absorbed into EMI. ABPC also owned appro ...

where they attracted attention of

Walter Mycroft Walter Charles Mycroft (1890 – 14 June 1959) was a British journalist, screenwriter, film producer and director. In the 1920s he was film critic of the London ''Evening Standard'', and a founder of the LondoFilm Society before joining the film ...

who put her under contract.OBITUARIES Baker, Bob. Sight and Sound; London3.2 (Feb 1, 1993): 29. Working for

Gainsborough Pictures Gainsborough Pictures was a British film studio based on the south bank of the Regent's Canal, in Poole Street, Hoxton in the former Metropolitan Borough of Shoreditch, north London. Gainsborough Studios was active between 1924 and 1951. The com ...

, her early credits include ''

Just William ''Just William'' is the first book of children's short stories about the young school boy William Brown, written by Richmal Crompton, and published in 1922. The book was the first in the series of William Brown books which was the basis for ...

'' (1940), ''

The Man in Grey ''The Man in Grey'' is a 1943 British film melodrama made by Gainsborough Pictures; it is considered to be the first of a series of period costume dramas now known as the "Gainsborough melodramas". It was directed by Leslie Arliss and produce ...

'' (1943), '' Fanny by Gaslight'' (1944) and ''

While I Live ''While I Live'' is a 1947 British drama film directed and co-written by John Harlow and starring Sonia Dresdel, Tom Walls and Carol Raye. ''While I Live'' is best remembered for its musical theme "The Dream of Olwen" composed by Charles Willi ...

'' (1947). Television credits include ''

Dr. Finlay's Casebook ''Dr. Finlay's Casebook'' is a television drama series that was produced and broadcast by the BBC from 1962 until 1971. Based on A. J. Cronin's 1935 novella ''Country Doctor'', the storylines centred on a general medical practice in the fictiona ...

'' and ''

The Avengers Avenger, Avengers, The Avenger, or The Avengers may refer to: Arts and entertainment In the Marvel Comics universe * Avengers (comics), a team of superheroes ** Avengers (Marvel Cinematic Universe), a central team of protagonist superheroes o ...

'' (for which she created the character of

Cathy Gale Dr. Catherine "Cathy" Gale is a fictional character played by Honor Blackman, on the 1960s British series '' The Avengers''. She was the first regular female partner of John Steed, following the departure of Steed's original male co-star, Dr Davi ...

). In 1954 she wrote the play ''A Summer House'' based on the

Constance Kent Constance Emily Kent (6 February 1844 – 10 April 1944) was an English woman who confessed to the murder of her half-brother, Francis Saville Kent, in 1860, when she was aged 16 and he aged three. The case led to high-level pronouncements ther ...

murder cast. She also co wrote a book, ''Voices in the Dark'' (1971).Avenger with a typewriter Cotes, Peter. The Guardian (1959-2003); London (UK) ondon (UK)9 Mar 1992: 37

Personal life

Doreen Catherine Mary Montgomery was born on 12 April 1913 at Balgrayhill Glasgow to James Christie Montgomery M.B., C.M. and Agnes Julie nee Pieke. She was married first to Lawrence Antony Walton on 9 November 1934 at St. Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh. They divorced in 1941. Her 2nd marriage was in October 1941 in Greenwich to RAF pilot Michael Edmund Staples. He died on 9 November 1941 at Middle Wallop, Hampshire whilst landing his RAF plane. He is buried at Brookwood Cemetery, Surrey. She next married John Nigel Allen Buckmaster in Scotland in 1945. He died in 2010. She died on 24 February 1992 in

Selected filmography

*''

Mr. Reeder in Room 13 ''Mr. Reeder in Room 13'' is a 1938 British crime film directed by Norman Lee and starring Peter Murray-Hill, Sally Gray and Gibb McLaughlin. It is based on the first J. G. Reeder book, ''Room 13 (Wallace novel), Room 13'' by Edgar Wallace. The f ...

'' (1938) * ''

Lassie from Lancashire ''Lassie from Lancashire'' is a 1938 British romantic musical comedy film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Marjorie Browne, Hal Thompson and Marjorie Sandford. It was made by British National Films at Welwyn Studios. The film's a ...

'' (1938) * ''

Meet Mr. Penny ''Meet Mr. Penny'' is a 1938 British comedy film directed by David MacDonald and starring Richard Goolden, Vic Oliver and Fabia Drake. It was made at Welwyn Studios by British National Films.Wood p.98 Cast * Richard Goolden as Henry Penny * Vi ...

'' (1938) * '' Dead Men Tell No Tales'' (1938) *''

Poison Pen A poison pen letter is a letter or note containing unpleasant, abusive, or malicious statements or accusations about the recipient or a third party. It is usually sent anonymously. In the term "poison pen" (or poisoned pen), the word poison is us ...

'' (1939) * ''

The Second Mr. Bush ''The Second Mr. Bush'' is a 1940 British comedy film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Wallace Evennett, Evelyn Roberts and Kay Walsh. It was made at Welwyn Studios by British National Films.Wood p.99 Cast * Wallace Evennett as Mr ...

'' (1940) * '' The House of the Arrow'' (1940) * '' The Flying Squad'' (1940) *'' At the Villa Rose'' (1940) *''

'' (1949) *''

Bulldog Sees It Through ''Bulldog Sees it Through'' is a 1940 British, black-and-white, mystery war film directed by Harold Huth and starring Jack Buchanan, Greta Gynt, Googie Withers, Ronald Shiner as Pug and Sebastian Shaw. Plot This is not a Bulldog Drummond ...

'' (1940) *''

'' (1943) *'' Fanny by Gaslight'' (1944) *'' Love Story'' (1944) * '' This Man Is Mine'' (1946) *''

'' (1947) * '' Shadow of the Eagle'' (1950) * ''

The Rival of the Empress ''The Rival of the Empress'' (Italian: ''La rivale dell'imperatrice'') is a 1951 Italian historical adventure film directed by Jacopo Comin and Sidney Salkow and starring Richard Greene, Valentina Cortese and Isa Pola. A separate English-language ...

'' (1951) * ''

The Scarlet Web ''The Scarlet Web'' is a 1954 British crime film directed by Charles Saunders and starring Griffith Jones, Hazel Court and Zena Marshall.Chibnall & McFarlane p.184 The film was made at Walton Studios with some location shooting in London. Its ...

'' (1954) *'' Dance Little Lady'' (1954) *''

Rheingold Theatre ''Douglas Fairbanks Presents'' is a 1953-1956 syndicated half-hour dramatic anthology series. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was the host, and he sometimes starred in episodes. It was also known as ''Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Presents''. A total of 117 episo ...

'' (1953–54) (TV series) *'' Born for Trouble'' (1955) (TV series) *''

You Can't Escape ''You Can't Escape'' is a 1956 British drama film directed by Wilfred Eades and starring Noelle Middleton, Guy Rolfe and Robert Urquhart (actor), Robert Urquhart. It is based on the 1938 novel ''She Died Young'' by Alan Kennington. It was release ...

'' (1956) *''

The Narrowing Circle ''The Narrowing Circle'' is a 1956 British crime film directed by Charles Saunders and starring Paul Carpenter, Hazel Court and Russell Napier. It is based on the 1954 novel of the same title by Julian Symons.Goble p.451 The film's sets were ...

'' (1956) *''

Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans ''The Last of the Mohicans'', later retitled ''Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans'' is a 1957 historical drama television series made for syndication by ITC Entertainment and Normandie Productions. It ran for one season of 39 half-hour monochro ...

'' (1957) (TV series) *''

William Tell William Tell (german: Wilhelm Tell, ; french: Guillaume Tell; it, Guglielmo Tell; rm, Guglielm Tell) is a folk hero of Switzerland. According to the legend, Tell was an expert mountain climber and marksman with a crossbow who assassinated Albr ...

'' (1958–59) - writer, story editor *''

The New Adventures of Charlie Chan ''The New Adventures of Charlie Chan'' is a crime drama series that aired in the United States in syndicated television from June 1957, to 1958. The first five episodes were made by Vision Productions in the United States, before production swi ...

'' (1958) (TV series) *''

Murder Reported Murder is the unlawful killing of another human without justification or valid excuse, especially the unlawful killing of another human with malice aforethought. ("The killing of another person without justification or excuse, especially the c ...

'' (1958) *'' H.G. Wells' The Invisible Man'' (1958) (TV series) *''

Danger Man ''Danger Man'' (retitled ''Secret Agent'' in the United States for the revived series, and ''Destination Danger'' and ''John Drake'' in other overseas markets) is a British television series that was broadcast between 1960 and 1962, and again b ...

'' (1960) (TV series) *''

Sir Francis Drake Sir Francis Drake ( – 28 January 1596) was an English explorer, sea captain, privateer, slave trader, naval officer, and politician. Drake is best known for his circumnavigation of the world in a single expedition, from 1577 to 1580 (t ...

'' (1962) (TV series) - writer *''

'' (1963) (TV series) *'' Crane'' (1964) (TV series) - writer "A Danger to Others" *''

'' (1964–65) (TV series) - various episodes *''

No Hiding Place ''No Hiding Place'' is a British television series that was produced at Wembley Studios by Associated-Rediffusion for the ITV network between 16 September 1959 and 22 June 1967. It was the sequel to the series ''Murder Bag'' (1957–1958) an ...

'' (1965) (TV series) - episode "A Fistful of Trouble" *''Who-Dun-It'' (1969) (TV series) - play basis for "Murder Goes to School"

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Montgomery, Doreen 1913 births 1992 deaths 20th-century British dramatists and playwrights 20th-century British screenwriters 20th-century British women writers British women screenwriters Film people from Glasgow Scottish screenwriters