Jean Dunlop Cadell (13 September 1884 – 29 September 1967) was a Scottish

character actress A character actor is a supporting actor who plays unusual, interesting, or eccentric characters.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrieved 7 August 2014, "..a breed of actor who has the ability to be ...

. Although her married name was Jean Dunlop Perceval-Clark she retained her maiden name in the context of acting.

Life and career

The grave of Francis Cadell, Dean Cemetery

She was born at 4 Buckingham Terrace in Edinburgh, the daughter of Dr Francis Cadell (1844-1909), a wealthy surgeon, and his wife, Mary Hamilton Boileau (1853-1907). The family moved to 22 Ainslie Place, a huge Georgian house on the

Moray Estate The Moray Estate in Edinburgh was an exclusive early 19th century building venture attaching the west side of Edinburgh's New Town. Built on an awkward and steeply sloping site, it has been described as a masterpiece of urban planning. Back ...

, in her youth. She performed in the cinema and on the stage. Among her best-known cinema roles was in the

Ealing Studios Ealing Studios is a television and film production company and facilities provider at Ealing Green in West London. Will Barker bought the White Lodge on Ealing Green in 1902 as a base for film making, and films have been made on the site ever s ...

comedy '' Whisky Galore!'' (1949), as well as ''

Pygmalion Pygmalion or Pigmalion may refer to: Mythology * Pygmalion (mythology), a sculptor who fell in love with his statue Stage * ''Pigmalion'' (opera), a 1745 opera by Jean-Philippe Rameau * ''Pygmalion'' (Rousseau), a 1762 melodrama by Jean-Jacques ...

'' (1938) and ''

I Know Where I'm Going! ''I Know Where I'm Going!'' is a 1945 romance film by the British-based filmmakers Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. It stars Wendy Hiller and Roger Livesey, and features Pamela Brown and Finlay Currie. Plot Joan Webster is a 25-year-ol ...

'' (1945). She once performed opposite

W.C. Fields WC or wc may refer to: * Water closet or flush toilet Arts and entertainment * ''W.C.'' (film), an Irish feature film * WC (band), a Polish punk rock band * WC (rapper), a rapper from Los Angeles, California * Westside Connection, former ...

in Hollywood, cast as Mrs. Micawber to his

Wilkins Micawber Wilkins Micawber is a clerk in Charles Dickens's 1850 novel ''David Copperfield''. He is traditionally identified with the optimistic belief that "something will turn up." His role in the story Micawber was incarcerated in debtors' prison (the ...

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and abbreviated as MGM, is an American film, television production, distribution and media company owned by amazon (company), Amazon through MGM Holdings, founded o ...

's 1935 production of ''

David Copperfield ''David Copperfield'' Dickens invented over 14 variations of the title for this work, see is a novel in the bildungsroman genre by Charles Dickens, narrated by the eponymous David Copperfield, detailing his adventures in his journey from inf ...

''. Although Cadell remains in the released version of the film, her biggest scene (when the Micawber family prepare to emigrate) was deleted from the release prints. Jean Cadell died in London on 29 September 1967, aged 83. She is buried with her family in

Dean Cemetery The Dean Cemetery is a historically important Victorian cemetery north of the Dean Village, west of Edinburgh city centre, in Scotland. It lies between Queensferry Road and the Water of Leith, bounded on its east side by Dean Path and on ...

in western Edinburgh. The grave lies against the southern wall.

Family

Her brother, Francis Cadell, was one of the

Scottish Colourists The Scottish Colourists were a group of four painters, three from Edinburgh, whose Post-Impressionist work, though not universally recognised initially, came to have a formative influence on contemporary Scottish art and culture. The four artists, ...

. She married actor Perceval Perceval-Clark. Jean and Perceval both appeared in the play '' The Man Who Stayed at Home''. Her son, born John Cadell Perceval-Clark in 1915, changed his name to John Cadell and became a

theatrical agent A talent agent, or booking agent, is a person who finds jobs for actors, authors, broadcast journalists, film directors, musicians, models, professional athletes, screenwriters, writers, and other professionals in various entertainment or sport ...

. Her grandson

Simon Cadell Simon John Cadell (19 July 1950 – 6 March 1996) was an English actor, best known for his portrayal of Jeffrey Fairbrother in the first five series of the BBC situation comedy ''Hi-de-Hi!''. Early life Born in London, he was the son of theat ...

and her granddaughter

Selina Cadell Selina Jane Cadell (born 12 August 1953) is an English actress. She is the younger sister of actor Simon Cadell and granddaughter of actress Jean Cadell. She is the great niece of the Scottish artist Francis Cadell. Biography Cadell was born ...

also became actors.

Complete filmography

*''David Garrick'' (1912, Short) - Araminta Brown *'' The Man Who Stayed at Home'' (1915) - Miss Myrtle *''

Anna the Adventuress ''Anna the Adventuress'' is a 1920 British silent drama film directed by Cecil Hepworth and starring Alma Taylor, Jean Cadell and James Carew. It is based on a novel by Phillips Oppenheim. Made by Hepworth Pictures at Walton Studios, it is n ...

'' (1920) - Nellie Bates *'' Alf's Button'' (1920) - Vicar's wife *'' The Naked Man'' (1923) - Miss Linnett *''

The Loves of Robert Burns ''The Loves of Robert Burns'' is a 1930 British historical musical film directed by Herbert Wilcox and starring Joseph Hislop, Dorothy Seacombe and Eve Gray. It depicts the life of the Scottish poet Robert Burns. Cast * Joseph Hislop ... Ro ...

'' (1930) - Mrs. Burns *''

Escape Escape or Escaping may refer to: Computing * Escape character, in computing and telecommunication, a character which signifies that what follows takes an alternative interpretation ** Escape sequence, a series of characters used to trigger some so ...

'' (1930) - (uncredited) *''

Two White Arms ''Two White Arms'', also known as ''Wives Beware'', is a 1932 British comedy film directed by Fred Niblo and starring Adolphe Menjou, Margaret Bannerman and Claud Allister. It is adapted from a play by Harold Dearden. Produced by Eric Hakim Pro ...

'' (1932) - Mrs. Drury *'' Fires of Fate'' (1932) - Miss Byrne *''

Timbuctoo ''Timbuctoo'' is a series of 25 children's books, written and illustrated by Roger Hargreaves, better known for his ''Mr. Men'' and ''Little Miss'' series. It was published from 1978 to 1979, with selected reprints in 1993 and 1999. The books t ...

'' (1933) - Wilhelmina *''

The Luck of a Sailor ''The Luck of a Sailor'' is a 1934 British romance film directed by Robert Milton and starring Greta Nissen, David Manners and Clifford Mollison. It was made at Elstree Studios.Wood p.78 Cast * Greta Nissen as Queen Helena * David Manners as C ...

'' (1934) - Princess Rosanna *'' Little Friend'' (1934) - Miss Drew *''

'' (1935) - Mrs. Micawber *'' Whom the Gods Love'' (1936) - Frau Mozart *'' Love from a Stranger'' (1937) - Aunt Lou *'' South Riding'' (1938) - Miss Dry *''Tobias and the Angel'' (1938, TV Movie) - Anna *''

'' (1938) - Mrs. Pearce *''Suspect'' (1939, TV Movie) - Goudie Macintyre *''

Confidential Lady ''Confidential Lady'' is a 1939 British comedy drama film, directed by Arthur B. Woods and starring Ben Lyon and Jane Baxter. It is now classed as a lost film.

'' (1940) - Amy Boswell *''

Quiet Wedding ''Quiet Wedding'' is a 1941 British romantic comedy film directed by Anthony Asquith and starring Margaret Lockwood, Derek Farr and Marjorie Fielding. The screenplay was written by Terence Rattigan and Anatole de Grunwald based on the play ''Qui ...

'' (1941) - Aunt Florence *'' The Young Mr. Pitt'' (1942) - Mrs. Sparry *''

Dear Octopus ''Dear Octopus'' is a comedy by the playwright and novelist Dodie Smith. It opened at the Queen's Theatre, London on 14 September 1938. On the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939 the run was halted after 373 performances; after ...

'' (1943) - Vicar's Wife *''

Two Girls and a Sailor ''Two Girls and a Sailor'' is a 1944 American musical film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Van Johnson, June Allyson and Gloria DeHaven. Set on the American homefront during World War II, it's about two singing sisters who create a lavish ...

'' (1944) - Mrs. Church *''

'' (1945) - Postmistress *'' Jassy'' (1947) - Meggie *''Afterglow'' (1948, TV Movie) - Frau Kaunitz *''

That Dangerous Age ''That Dangerous Age'' is a 1949 British romance film directed by Gregory Ratoff and starring Myrna Loy, Roger Livesey and Peggy Cummins. It was adapted from the play ''Autumn'' by Margaret Kennedy and Ilya Surguchev. The film was released und ...

'' (1949) - Nannie *'' Marry Me!'' (1949) - Hester Parsons *'' Whisky Galore!'' (1949) - Mrs. Campbell *''

No Place for Jennifer ''No Place for Jennifer'' is a 1950 British film directed by Henry Cass and starring Leo Genn, Rosamund John, Guy Middleton and Janette Scott. It was based on the novel ''No Difference to Me'' by Phyllis Hambleton. Plot In the film, a young g ...

'' (1950) - Aunt Jacqueline *'' Madeleine'' (1950) - Mrs. Jenkins *''Craven House (1950, TV Movie) - Miss Hatt *'' The Reluctant Widow'' (1950) - Mrs. Barrows *''The Switchback'' (1950, TV Movie) - Aunt Dinah *''

The Late Edwina Black ''The Late Edwina Black'' (U.S. ''Obsessed'') is a 1951 British drama film, directed by Maurice Elvey and starring David Farrar, Geraldine Fitzgerald and Roland Culver. The film is a melodramatic murder mystery set in the Victorian era and was ...

'' (1951) - Ellen *''Music at Night'' (1952, TV Movie) - Mrs. Amesbury *''

I'm a Stranger ''I'm a Stranger'' is a 1952 British comedy film directed by Brock Williams and starring Greta Gynt, James Hayter and Hector Ross. In the film, various different parties search for a missing will which leaves a fortune to a stranger from Calcutt ...

'' (1952) - Hannah Mackenzie *''Three's Company'' (1953) - Miss Craig (segment "Take a Number' story) *''

Meet Mr. Lucifer ''Meet Mr. Lucifer'' is a black-and-white British comedy satire film released in 1953 starring Stanley Holloway. It was filmed at Ealing Studios, London, and is one of the Ealing comedies. The film is based on the play ''Beggar My Neighbour'' by ...

'' (1953) - Mrs. Macdonald *''The Whiteoak Chronicles: The Building of Jalna'' (1955, TV Movie) - Adeline Whiteoak *''The Whiteoak Chronicles: Whiteoaks'' (1955, TV Movie) - Adeline Whiteoak *''

Keep It Clean ''Keep It Clean'' is a 1956 British black-and-white comedy film directed by David Paltenghi and starring Ronald Shiner as Bert Lane and Joan Sims as Violet Tarbottom. Plot Advertising agent Bert Lane (Ronald Shiner) plans to market his brother- ...

'' (1956) - Mrs. Edgar Anstey *''The Druid Circle'' (1957, TV Movie) - Mrs. White *''

The Little Hut ''The Little Hut'' is a 1957 British romantic comedy film made by MGM starring Ava Gardner, Stewart Granger and David Niven. It was directed by Mark Robson, produced by Robson and F. Hugh Herbert, from a screenplay by Herbert, adapted by Nancy M ...

'' (1957) - Mrs. Hermione Brittingham-Brett *''

Let's Be Happy ''Let's Be Happy'' is a Technicolor 1957 British musical film starring Tony Martin, Vera-Ellen and Robert Flemyng and directed by Henry Levin. It was written by Dorothy Cooper and Diana Morgan in CinemaScope. This film was an updated remak ...

'' (1957) - Mrs. Cathie (uncredited) *''

The Surgeon's Knife ''The Surgeon's Knife'' is a 1957 British crime film directed by Gordon Parry and starring Donald Houston, Adrienne Corri and Lyndon Brook. It is an adaptation of the 1940 novel '' The Wicked Flee'' by Anne Hocking. Synopsis When his patient ...

'' (1957) - Henrietta Stevens *''Doomsday for Dyson'' (1959, TV Movie) - Great Aunt Lucy *''

Rockets Galore! ''Rockets Galore!'' is a 1957 British comedy film directed by Michael Relph and starring Jeannie Carson, Donald Sinden and Roland Culver. The sequel to '' Whisky Galore!'', it was much less successful than its predecessor. It was based on the n ...

'' (1958) - Mrs. Campbell *''

Serious Charge ''Serious Charge'' (also known in US release as ''A Touch of Hell'') is a 1959 British film, directed by Terence Young, produced and co-written by Mickey Delamar (with Guy Elmes). It was adapted from a stage play written by Philip King. The fi ...

'' (1959) - Almshouse Matron *''

Upstairs and Downstairs ''Upstairs and Downstairs'' is a 1959 British comedy film directed by Ralph Thomas and starring Michael Craig (actor), Michael Craig, Anne Heywood, Mylène Demongeot, Claudia Cardinale, James Robertson Justice, Joan Sims, Joan Hickson and Sid ...

'' (1959) - 1st Old Lady *''

A Taste of Money ''A Taste of Money'' is a 1960 British comedy film directed by Max Varnel and starring Jean Cadell, Dick Emery and Pete Murray. It was produced by the Danzigers. Premise An elderly spinster who works as a cashier for an insurance company plot ...

'' (1961) - Miss Brill *''

Very Important Person A very important person or personage (VIP or V.I.P.) is a person who is accorded special privileges due to their high social status, influence or importance. The term was not common until sometime after World War 2 by RAF pilots. Examples incl ...

'' (1961) - Lady Telling Story on TV show. Opening Scene

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Cadell, Jean 1884 births 1967 deaths Actresses from Edinburgh Scottish stage actresses Scottish film actresses Scottish silent film actresses 20th-century Scottish actresses