Georgette Lizette Withers
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Georgette Lizette "Googie" Withers (12 March 191715 July 2011) was an English entertainer. She was a dancer and actress, with a lengthy career spanning some seventy-three years in theatre, film, and television. She was a well-known actress and star of British films during and after the
Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
. She often featured in British productions, primarily in films with actor and producer
John McCallum John McCallum (born 9 April 1950) is a Canadian politician, economist, diplomat and former university professor. A former Liberal Member of Parliament ( MP), McCallum was the Canadian Ambassador to China from 2017 to 2019. He was asked for ...
, whom she married and, in the late 1950s, emigrated together to her husband's native Australia, where they became best known in theatre. During the 1970s, she played prison governor Faye Boswell in the TV series ''
Within These Walls ''Within These Walls'' is a British television drama programme made by London Weekend Television for ITV and shown between 1974 and 1978. It portrayed life in HMP Stone Park, a fictional women's prison. Unlike later women-in-prison TV series ...
'', and continued to feature in films. She won the inaugural
British Academy Television Award for Best Actress This is a list of the British Academy Television Awards for Best Actress. The British Academy Television Awards began in 1955. The Best Actress award was initially given as an "individual honour", without credit to a particular performance, until ...
in
1955 Events January * January 3 – José Ramón Guizado becomes president of Panama. * January 17 – , the first nuclear-powered submarine, puts to sea for the first time, from Groton, Connecticut. * January 18– 20 – Battle of Yijian ...
.


Biography

Withers was born in
Karachi Karachi is the capital city of the Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Sindh, Pakistan. It is the List of cities in Pakistan by population, largest city in Pakistan and 12th List of largest cities, largest in the world, with a popul ...
,
British India The provinces of India, earlier presidencies of British India and still earlier, presidency towns, were the administrative divisions of British governance in South Asia. Collectively, they have been called British India. In one form or another ...
(now
Pakistan Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of over 241.5 million, having the Islam by country# ...
), to Edgar Withers, a captain in the
Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King of the United Kingdom, King. Although warships were used by Kingdom ...
, and Lizette Wilhelmina Katarina, of Dutch, French and German descent. She was named after her aunt Georgette Ottolina, but was fondly given the name "chota ghugi'" at a young age by her Punjabi '' ayah'' (nanny), chota ghugi' being Punjabi for "little dove", which became anglicised to "Googie". She became used to the nickname and decided to keep it as her stage name. As a child, she showed interest in learning the
Urdu Urdu (; , , ) is an Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in South Asia. It is the Languages of Pakistan, national language and ''lingua franca'' of Pakistan. In India, it is an Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of Indi ...
language. After her father left the Royal Navy to manage a foundry in
Birmingham Birmingham ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands (county), West Midlands, within the wider West Midlands (region), West Midlands region, in England. It is the Lis ...
, England, Googie was sent to Fredville Park School, a boarding school in
Nonington Nonington () (variously, Nonnington, Nunyngton, Nonnyngton and Nunnington), is a civil parish and village in east Kent, halfway between the historic city of Canterbury and the English Channel, channel port town of Dover. The civil parish includes ...
, and a secondary day school in London.


Acting career

Withers began acting at the age of twelve, and was student at the
Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, also known simply as Italia Conti, is a drama school based in Woking, Woking, England. It was founded by the English actress Italia Conti in 1911. Italia Conti offers courses in acting, musical theatre, ...
, and at the dance school of
Buddy Bradley Harold "Buddy" William Bradley Jr.,Peter Bagge ''Hate (comics), Hate'' #6, 1991 Fantagraphics; page 6, panel 3. generally referred to as Buddy Bradley, is a comic book character created by Peter Bagge and the main protagonist in several of his co ...
, where she learnt ballet and tap. She was a dancer in a West End production when she was offered work as a film extra in
Michael Powell Michael Latham Powell (30 September 1905 – 19 February 1990) was an English filmmaker, celebrated for his partnership with Emeric Pressburger. Through their production company Powell and Pressburger, The Archers, they together wrote, produced ...
's ''
The Girl in the Crowd ''The Girl in the Crowd'' is a 1935 British comedy film directed by Michael Powell starring Barry Clifton, Patricia Hilliard (actress), Patricia Hilliard, and Googie Withers. The film has been declared "Missing, Believed Lost" by the British Fil ...
'' (1935). She arrived on the set to find one of the major players in the production had been dismissed, and she was immediately asked to step into the leading role, beginning a seven year contract with
Warner Brothers Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (WBEI), commonly known as Warner Bros. (WB), is an American filmed entertainment studio headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios complex in Burbank, California and the main namesake subsidiary of Warner Bro ...
, after which she worked for Fox British,
Ealing Studios Ealing Studios is a television and film production company and facilities provider at Ealing Green in west London, England. Will Barker bought the White Lodge on Ealing Green in 1902 as a base for film making, and films have been made on th ...
and
The Rank Organisation The Rank Organisation (founded as the J. Arthur Rank Organisation) is a British entertainment Conglomerate (company), conglomerate founded in 1937 by industrialist J. Arthur Rank. It quickly became the largest and most vertical integration, ve ...
. During the 1930s, Withers was constantly in demand in lead roles in minor films, and supporting roles in more prestigious productions. She was in '' Windfall'' (1935) and '' The Love Test'' (1935), and she had the lead in '' All at Sea'' (1935). Withers supported in '' Dark World'' (1935), ''
King of Hearts The king of hearts is a playing card in the standard 52-card deck. King of Hearts may also refer to: Games * The king of hearts has five sons, card game that may have been a precursor to Cluedo Books * King of Hearts (Alice's Adventures in ...
'' (1936), and '' Accused'' (1936). ''
Her Last Affaire ''Her Last Affaire'' is a 1935 British drama film directed by Michael Powell and starring Hugh Williams, Viola Keats, Cecil Parker and Googie Withers. The wife of a politician is found dead at a country inn. It was based on the play ''S.O.S.'' b ...
'' (1935) was her third film with Powell. She followed it with ''
She Knew What She Wanted ''She Knew What She Wanted'' is a 1936 British musical comedy film directed by Thomas Bentley and starring Albert Burdon, Claude Dampier and Googie Withers. It was based on the stage musical ''Funny Face''. Premise An amoral young dancer falls ...
'' (1936), '' Crown v. Stevens'' (1936) (directed by Powell), ''
Crime Over London ''Crime Over London'' is a 1936 British crime film directed by Alfred Zeisler and starring Margot Grahame, Paul Cavanagh and David Burns. It was made at Isleworth Studios,Wood p.89 based on the novel ''House of a Thousand Windows'' by Ludwi ...
'' (1936), ''
Pearls Bring Tears ''Pearls Bring Tears'' is a 1937 British comedy drama film directed by Manning Haynes and starring John Stuart, Dorothy Boyd and Googie Withers. Plot Madge Hart (Dorothy Boyd) borrows a pearl necklace to wear to a dance, but then accidentally ...
'' (1937), ''
Action for Slander ''Action for Slander'' is a 1937 British drama film directed by Tim Whelan and starring Clive Brook, Ann Todd and Googie Withers. The plot is about an army officer who is falsely accused at cheating at cards by a man whose wife he had an affa ...
'' (1937), and '' Paradise for Two'' (1937). Withers had the lead in ''
You're the Doctor ''You're the Doctor'' is a 1938 British comedy film directed by Roy Lockwood and starring Barry K. Barnes, Googie Withers and Norma Varden. The screenplay concerns a young woman who pretends to be ill to avoid going on a cruise with her parents ...
'' (1938) and was back to support for '' Kate Plus Ten'' (1938). Her best-known work of the period was as one of
Margaret Lockwood Margaret Mary Day Lockwood, CBE (15 September 1916 – 15 July 1990), was a British actress. One of Britain's most popular film stars of the 1930s and 1940s, her film appearances included ''The Lady Vanishes'' (1938), '' Night Train to Munich ...
's friends in
Alfred Hitchcock Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock (13 August 1899 – 29 April 1980) was an English film director. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of cinema. In a career spanning six decades, he directed over 50 featu ...
's ''
The Lady Vanishes ''The Lady Vanishes'' is a 1938 British Mystery film, mystery Thriller (genre), thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Margaret Lockwood and Michael Redgrave. Written by Sidney Gilliat and Frank Launder, based on the 1936 novel '' ...
'' (1938). She continued in support roles in ''
Paid in Error ''Paid in Error'' is a 1938 British comedy film directed by Maclean Rogers and featuring George Carney, Lillian Christine and Tom Helmore. The screenplay concerns a man who is mistakenly given a large sum of money at the bank. Cast * George ...
'' (1938) and ''
Strange Boarders ''Strange Boarders'' is a 1938 British comedy thriller film, directed by Herbert Mason, produced by Edward Black and written by Sidney Gilliat and A. R. Rawlinson. It stars Tom Walls, Renée Saint-Cyr, Googie Withers and Ronald Adam. The f ...
'' (1938). She was in a
Will Hay William Thomson Hay (6 December 1888 – 18 April 1949) was an English comedian who wrote and acted in a schoolmaster sketch that later transferred to the screen, where he also played other authority figures with comic failings. His film '' O ...
film ''
Convict 99 ''Convict 99'' is a 1938 British comedy film directed by Marcel Varnel and starring Will Hay, Moore Marriott, Graham Moffatt and Googie Withers. It was one of several comedies Hay made for producer Ted Black. Plot Incompetent Dr Benjamin ...
'' (1938) and supported
Jack Buchanan Walter John Buchanan (2 April 1890 – 20 October 1957) was a Scottish theatre and film actor, singer, dancer, producer and director. He was known for three decades as the embodiment of the debonair man-about-town in the tradition of George Gr ...
in '' The Gang's All Here'' (1939). Then she appeared in crime films ''
Murder in Soho Murder is the unlawful killing of another human without justification or valid excuse committed with the necessary intention as defined by the law in a specific jurisdiction. ("The killing of another person without justification or excuse ...
'' (1939) and ''
Dead Men are Dangerous ''Dead Men are Dangerous'' is a 1939 British noir crime film directed by Harold French and starring Robert Newton, Betty Lynne, John Warwick, and Peter Gawthorne. It was released in the U.S. as ''Dangerous Masquerade''. Its plot concerns an u ...
'' (1939). She supported
George Formby George Formby, (born George Hoy Booth; 26 May 1904 – 6 March 1961), was an English actor, singer-songwriter and comedian who became known to a worldwide audience through his films of the 1930s and 1940s. On stage, screen and record he ...
in '' Trouble Brewing'' (1939) and
Tommy Trinder Thomas Edward Trinder (24 March 1909 – 10 July 1989) was an English stage, screen and radio comedian whose catchphrase was "You lucky people!". Described by Cultural history, cultural historian Matthew Sweet (writer), Matthew Sweet as "a cocky ...
in '' She Couldn't Say No'' (1939). She was in a Robert Montgomery film ''
Busman's Honeymoon ''Busman's Honeymoon'' is a 1937 novel by Dorothy L. Sayers, her eleventh and last featuring Lord Peter Wimsey, and her fourth and last to feature Harriet Vane. Plot introduction Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane marry and go to spend the ...
'' (1939) and was reunited with Buchanan in ''
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 pic ...
'' (1940). She was still supporting comics in '' Back-Room Boy'' (1942) with
Arthur Askey Arthur Bowden Askey (6 June 1900 – 16 November 1982) was an English comedian and actor. Askey was known for his short stature (5' 2", 1.58 m) and distinctive horn-rimmed glasses, and his playful humour incorporating improvisation an ...
.


Rising fame

Among her successes of the 1940s, and a departure from her previous roles, was the
Powell and Pressburger The British film-making partnership of Michael Powell (1905–1990) and Emeric Pressburger (1902–1988)—together often known as The Archers, the name of their production company—made a series of influential films in the 1940s and 1950s. T ...
film '' One of Our Aircraft Is Missing'' (1942), a topical
World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
drama, in which she played a
Dutch resistance The Dutch resistance () to the History of the Netherlands (1939–1945), German occupation of the Netherlands during World War II can be mainly characterized as non-violent. The primary organizers were the Communist Party of the Netherlands, C ...
fighter who helps British airmen return to safety from behind enemy lines. Powell and Pressburger then used her in a film they produced but did not direct, ''
The Silver Fleet ''The Silver Fleet'' is a 1943 British World War II film written and directed by Vernon Sewell and Gordon Wellesley and produced by Powell and Pressburger under the banner of "The Archers". Plot Early during the Second World War, the Nazis ove ...
'' (1943). She played Helen, a significant second lead in the Clive Book-directed 1944 comedy '' On Approval''. Withers was in ''
They Came to a City ''They Came to a City'' is a 1944 British black-and-white science-fiction film directed by Basil Dearden and starring John Clements, Googie Withers, Raymond Huntley, Renee Gadd and A. E. Matthews. It was adapted from the 1943 play of the same t ...
'' (1945), directed by
Basil Dearden Basil Dearden (born Basil Clive Dear; 1 January 1911 – 23 March 1971) was an English film director. Early life Dearden was born as Basil Clive Dear at 5 Woodfield Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex to Charles James Dear, a steel manufacturer, and the ...
, and was one of several stars in ''
Dead of Night ''Dead of Night'' is a 1945 British supernatural horror anthology film directed by Alberto Cavalcanti, Charles Crichton, Basil Dearden, and Robert Hamer. It stars Mervyn Johns, Googie Withers, Sally Ann Howes, and Michael Redgrave. Produ ...
'' (1945). She was given a star part in ''
Pink String and Sealing Wax ''Pink String and Sealing Wax'' is a 1945 British drama film directed by Robert Hamer and starring Mervyn Johns. It is based on a play with the same name by Roland Pertwee. It was the first feature film Robert Hamer directed on his own. The ti ...
'' (1945). It was well received, and Withers was given the title role in ''
The Loves of Joanna Godden ''The Loves of Joanna Godden'' is a 1947 British historical drama film directed by Charles Frend and produced by Michael Balcon. The screenplay was written by H. E. Bates and Angus MacPhail from the novel '' Joanna Godden'' (1921) by Sheila Kaye ...
'' (1947), which was a hit. In the cast was actor John McCallum, whom Withers later married. They remained married until McCallum died in 2010. Withers then starred in ''
It Always Rains on Sunday ''It Always Rains on Sunday'' is a 1947 British film adaptation of Arthur La Bern's novel of the same name, directed by Robert Hamer. The film has been compared with the poetic realism movement in the French cinema of a few years earlier by the ...
'' (1948), which was one of the biggest hits of the year. In 1948, British exhibitors voted her the 8th most popular British star in the country. Three comedies followed: the hugely popular '' Miranda'' (1948), with McCallum, and '' Once Upon a Dream'' (1949) and ''
Traveller's Joy ''Traveller's Joy'' is a 1949 British comedy film directed by Ralph Thomas and starring Googie Withers, John McCallum and Maurice Denham. Based on a West End play of the same name by Arthur Macrae, it was the last film released by the original ...
'' (1949), both directed by
Ralph Thomas Ralph Philip Thomas (10 August 1915 – 17 March 2001) was an English film director who directed the Doctor (film series), ''Doctor'' film series. Thomas cast the actor James Robertson Justice in many of his films. He often worked with the pr ...
. Next, she was third-billed after Hollywood stars
Gene Tierney Gene Eliza Tierney (November 19, 1920November 6, 1991) was an American stage and film actress. Acclaimed for her great beauty, Tierney was a prominent Leading actor, leading lady during the Classical Hollywood cinema, Golden Age of Hollywood. Sh ...
and
Richard Widmark Richard Weedt Widmark (December 26, 1914March 24, 2008) was an American film, stage, and television actor and producer. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as the villainous Tommy Udo in his debut film, ''Kiss of Death (1947 film ...
in the tense thriller ''
Night and the City ''Night and the City'' is a 1950 British film noir directed by Jules Dassin and starring Richard Widmark, Gene Tierney and Googie Withers. It is based on the novel of the same name by Gerald Kersh. Shot on location in London and at Shepp ...
'' (1950). Withers took 13 months off following the birth of her first child, then returned to star as a doctor in ''
White Corridors ''White Corridors'' is a 1951 British drama film directed by Pat Jackson and starring Googie Withers, Godfrey Tearle, James Donald and Petula Clark. It was written by Jan Read and Jackson based on the 1944 novel ''Yeoman's Hospital'' by Helen ...
'' (1951), one of the most popular films of the year in Britain. She was one of many cameos in ''
The Magic Box ''The Magic Box'' is a 1951 British Technicolor biographical drama film directed by John Boulting. The film stars Robert Donat as William Friese-Greene, with numerous cameo appearances by performers such as Peter Ustinov and Laurence Olivie ...
'' (1951) and was in a play ''Winter Journey''. Withers made three films with her husband, '' Derby Day'' (1952), ''
Devil on Horseback ''Devil on Horseback'' is a 1954 British sports drama film directed by Cyril Frankel and starring Googie Withers, John McCallum and Jeremy Spenser. The screenplay was by Scottish writer Neil Paterson. Plot Fourteen-year-old Moppy Parfit pur ...
'' (1954), and ''
Port of Escape ''Port of Escape'' is a 1956 British thriller film directed by Tony Young and starring Googie Withers, John McCallum, Bill Kerr and Joan Hickson. The screenplay was by Barbara S. Harper and Young based on a short story by Harper. Plot Two sai ...
'' (1956). In 1954, she starred with McCallum in the West End play '' Waiting for Gillian'', by
Ronald Millar Sir Ronald Graeme Millar (12 November 1919 – 16 April 1998) was an English actor, scriptwriter, and dramatist. He also had a noteworthy career as a political speechwriter in the Conservative Party, and was particularly known for his coll ...
.


Australia

Withers first toured Australia in the stage play ''Simon and Laura''. After McCallum was offered the position of running
J.C. Williamson James Cassius Williamson (26 August 1845 – 6 July 1913) was an American actor and later Australia's foremost impresario, founding the J. C. Williamson's theatrical and production company. Born in Pennsylvania, Williamson moved with his famil ...
theatres, they moved to Australia in 1959. Withers starred in a number of stage plays, including Rattigan's '' The Deep Blue Sea'', ''Desire of the Moth'', ''The First 400 Years'' (with
Keith Michell Keith Joseph Michell (1 December 1926 – 20 November 2015) was an Australian actor who worked primarily in the United Kingdom, and was best known for his television and film portrayals of King Henry VIII. He appeared extensively in Shakespeare ...
), ''The Circle'',
A. R. Gurney Albert Ramsdell Gurney Jr. (November 1, 1930 – June 13, 2017) (sometimes credited as Pete Gurney) was an American playwright, novelist and academic. Gurney is known for plays including ''The Dining Room'' (1982), '' Sweet Sue'' (1986/7), '' T ...
's ''
The Cocktail Hour ''The Cocktail Hour'' is a comedy of manners by A. R. Gurney. It premiered in June 1988 in San Diego, California, at the Old Globe Theatre and, on October 20, 1988, in New York City at the Off Broadway Promenade Theatre. Like many of Gurney's ...
'', ''
Time and the Conways ''Time and the Conways'' is a British play written by J. B. Priestley in 1937 illustrating J. W. Dunne's Theory of Time through the experience of a moneyed Yorkshire family, the Conways, over a period of nineteen years from 1919 to 1937. It ...
'', ''
The Importance of Being Earnest ''The Importance of Being Earnest, a Trivial Comedy for Serious People'' is a play by Oscar Wilde, the last of his four drawing-room plays, following ''Lady Windermere's Fan'' (1892), ''A Woman of No Importance'' (1893) and ''An Ideal Husban ...
'', ''Beekman Place'' (1965), for which she also designed the set. ''
Desire of the Moth ''Desire of the Moth'' is a 1966 Australian play by James Brazill. Premise On an outback station, a married woman yearns for her old lover. She later engineers his suicide and goes insane. Production history It received a professional producti ...
'', ''The Kingfisher'', ''Stardust'',
Chekhov Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (; ; 29 January 1860 – 15 July 1904) was a Russian playwright and short-story writer, widely considered to be one of the greatest writers of all time. His career as a playwright produced four classics, and his b ...
's ''
The Cherry Orchard ''The Cherry Orchard'' () is the last play by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. Written in 1903, it was first published by '' Znaniye'' (Book Two, 1904), and came out as a separate edition later that year in Saint Petersburg, via A.F. Marks Pu ...
'' and
Wilde Wilde is a surname. Notable people with the name include: In arts and entertainment In film, television, and theatre * Andrew Wilde (actor), English actor * Barbie Wilde (born 1960), Canadian actress * Brian Wilde (1927–2008), British actor * ...
's ''
An Ideal Husband ''An Ideal Husband'' is a four-act play by Oscar Wilde that revolves around blackmail and political corruption, and touches on the themes of public and private honour. It was first produced at the Haymarket Theatre, London in 1895 and ran for ...
'' for the
Melbourne Theatre Company The Melbourne Theatre Company is a theatre company based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Founded in 1953 as the Union Theatre Repertory Company at the Union Theatre at the University of Melbourne, it is the oldest professional theatre com ...
; both productions toured Australia. They appeared together in the UK in ''
The School for Scandal ''The School for Scandal'' is a comedy of manners written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. It was first performed in London at Drury Lane Theatre on 8 May 1777. Plot Act I Scene I: Lady Sneerwell, a wealthy young widow, and her hireling S ...
'' at the
Duke of York's Theatre The Duke of York's Theatre is a West End theatre in St Martin's Lane, in the City of Westminster, London. It was built for Frank Wyatt and his wife, Violet Melnotte, who retained ownership of the theatre until her death in 1935. Designed by ...
in London's West End and on the subsequent
British Council The British Council is a British organisation specialising in international cultural and educational opportunities. It works in over 100 countries: promoting a wider knowledge of the United Kingdom and the English language (and the Welsh lang ...
tour of Europe in 1983–84, and in
W. Somerset Maugham William Somerset Maugham ( ; 25 January 1874 – 16 December 1965) was an English writer, known for his plays, novels and short stories. Born in Paris, where he spent his first ten years, Maugham was schooled in England and went to a German un ...
's ''The Circle'' at the
Chichester Festival Theatre Chichester Festival Theatre is a theatre and Grade II* listed building situated in Oaklands Park in the city of Chichester, West Sussex, England. Designed by Philip Powell and Hidalgo Moya, it was opened by its founder Leslie Evershed-Mart ...
. Withers starred on Broadway with
Michael Redgrave Sir Michael Scudamore Redgrave (20 March 1908 – 21 March 1985) was an English actor and filmmaker. Beginning his career in theatre, he first appeared in the West End in 1937. He made his film debut in Alfred Hitchcock's ''The Lady Vanishes'' ...
in ''
The Complaisant Lover ''The Complaisant Lover'' is a 1959 comedy play by Graham Greene. Consisting of two acts, each of two scenes, the play revolves around an affair between Mary Rhodes and Clive Root, the book seller friend of her husband, Victor. The play takes pl ...
'', and in London with
Alec Guinness Sir Alec Guinness (born Alec Guinness de Cuffe; 2 April 1914 – 5 August 2000) was an English actor. In the BFI, British Film Institute listing of 1999 of BFI Top 100 British films, the 100 most important British films of the 20th century ...
in ''
Exit the King ''Exit the King'' () is an absurdist drama by Eugène Ionesco that premiered in 1962. It is the third in Ionesco's "Berenger Cycle", preceded by '' The Killer'' (1958) and ''Rhinocéros'' (1959), and followed by ''A Stroll in the Air'' (1963) ...
''.


Later career

Withers returned to films with the lead in ''
Nickel Queen ''Nickel Queen'' is a 1971 Australian comedy film starring Googie Withers and directed by her husband John McCallum. The story was loosely based on the Poseidon bubble, a nickel boom in Western Australia in the late 1960s, and tells of an outback ...
'' (1971), directed by McCallum. She was in ''
The Cherry Orchard ''The Cherry Orchard'' () is the last play by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. Written in 1903, it was first published by '' Znaniye'' (Book Two, 1904), and came out as a separate edition later that year in Saint Petersburg, via A.F. Marks Pu ...
'' (1974) on Australian TV. In 1974, she appeared as Faye Boswell, the original governor of a women's prison, in the television series ''
Within These Walls ''Within These Walls'' is a British television drama programme made by London Weekend Television for ITV and shown between 1974 and 1978. It portrayed life in HMP Stone Park, a fictional women's prison. Unlike later women-in-prison TV series ...
''. Because ''Within These Walls'' had been a moderate success in Australia, she was approached by producers to play the role of the Governor in the Australian version titled ''
Prisoner A prisoner, also known as an inmate or detainee, is a person who is deprived of liberty against their will. This can be by confinement or captivity in a prison or physical restraint. The term usually applies to one serving a Sentence (law), se ...
'', but she declined and the role was given to
Patsy King Patsy King (born 16 September 1930)Bennet, Craig (27 December 2021Patsy King at 91: 'Prisoner Fans Still Stop MeNew Idea''. Retrieved 19 September 2022. is an Australian actress and children's television presenter, recognized for her contri ...
. Performances on the stage in productions of ''The Cherry Orchard'' and ''An Ideal Husband'' earned Withers a nomination in the Actress of the Year in a Revival at the 1976 Laurence Olivier Awards. Withers starred in the BBC adaptation of ''
Hotel du Lac ''Hotel du Lac'' is a 1984 novel by English writer Anita Brookner. It centres on Edith Hope, a romance novelist who is staying in a hotel on the shores of Lake Geneva. There she meets other English visitors, including Mrs Pusey, Mrs Pusey's ...
'' (1986), which was followed a year later by another BBC production, ''
Northanger Abbey ''Northanger Abbey'' ( ) is a coming-of-age novel and a satire of Gothic fiction, Gothic novels written by the English author Jane Austen. Although the title page is dated 1818 and the novel was published posthumously in 1817 with ''Persuasio ...
''. In 1989, she appeared at Brighton in England in ''The Cocktail Hour'' alongside her husband John and her daughter,
Joanna Joanna is a feminine given name deriving from from . Variants in English include Joan, Joann, Joanne, and Johanna. Other forms of the name in English are Jan, Jane, Janet, Janice, Jean, and Jeanne. The earliest recorded occurrence of th ...
. In the previous year, the play had been a success in New York, starring
Nancy Marchand Nancy Lou Marchand (June 19, 1928 – June 18, 2000) was an American actress. She began her career in theater in 1951. She was most famous for portraying Margaret Pynchon on '' Lou Grant'' – for which she won 4 Emmy Awards – and Livia Sopra ...
. In 1990, she appeared in ITV's adaptation of ''Ending Up''. Her last screen performance was as the Australian novelist
Katharine Susannah Prichard Katharine Susannah Prichard (4 December 18832 October 1969) was an Australian author and co-founding member of the Communist Party of Australia. Early life Prichard was born in Levuka, Fiji in 1883 to Australian parents. She spent her childhood ...
in the film '' Shine'' (1996), for which she and the other cast members were nominated for a
Screen Actors Guild The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) was an American labor union which represented over 100,000 film and television principal and background performers worldwide. On March 30, 2012, the union leadership announced that the SAG membership voted to m ...
award for "Outstanding performance by a cast". In 2002, aged 85, Withers, with
Vanessa Redgrave Dame Vanessa Redgrave (born 30 January 1937) is an English actress. In her career spanning over six decades, she has garnered List of awards and nominations received by Vanessa Redgrave, numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a Tony A ...
, appeared in London's West End, in
Oscar Wilde Oscar Fingal O'Fflahertie Wills Wilde (16 October 185430 November 1900) was an Irish author, poet, and playwright. After writing in different literary styles throughout the 1880s, he became one of the most popular and influential playwright ...
's ''
Lady Windermere's Fan ''Lady Windermere's Fan, A Play About a Good Woman'' is a four-act comedy by Oscar Wilde, first performed on Saturday, 20 February 1892, at the St James's Theatre in London. The story concerns Lady Windermere, who suspects that her husband is ...
''. In October 2007, aged 90 and 89 respectively, Withers and McCallum appeared in an extended interview with Peter Thompson on
ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Broadcasting * Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, Philippine broadcast company * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial American ...
TV's ''
Talking Heads Talking Heads were an American Rock music, rock band formed in New York City in 1975.Talking Heads
'' programme.


Death

Withers died on 15 July 2011 at her Sydney home, aged 94. Her husband, actor, television producer and studio executive
John McCallum John McCallum (born 9 April 1950) is a Canadian politician, economist, diplomat and former university professor. A former Liberal Member of Parliament ( MP), McCallum was the Canadian Ambassador to China from 2017 to 2019. He was asked for ...
predeceased her on 3 February 2010.


Honours

Withers was appointed an Honorary Officer of the
Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an Australian honours and awards system, Australian honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Monarch ...
(AO) for services to drama, in the 1980 Australia Day Honours List. In the 2001 Queen's Birthday Honours List (UK), she was named a Commander of the
Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...
(CBE). Withers was a
JC Williamson Award The JC Williamson Award (formally known as the James Cassius Williamson Award), is an lifetime achievement award presented annually as a sector of the Helpmann Awards, governed by Live Performance Australia. The awards are named after the Ameri ...
recipient for lifetime achievement in 1999. In 1992 Googie Withers and John McCallum were founding patrons and active supporters of the
Tait Memorial Trust The Tait Memorial Trust (TMT) is a charitable foundation first established in the United Kingdom. The TMT was founded by Isla Baring OAM in memory of her father, Sir Frank Tait and his brothers, who played an important part in the establishment ...
in London. A Charity established by Isla Baring OAM, the daughter of Sir Frank Tait of J. C. Williamson's to support young Australian performing artists in the UK. She was the subject of '' This Is Your Life'' in 1971, when she was surprised by
Eamonn Andrews Eamonn Andrews, (19 December 1922 – 5 November 1987) was an Irish radio and television presenter, employed primarily in the United Kingdom from the 1950s to the 1980s. From 1960 to 1964 he chaired the Radio Éireann Authority (now the RTÉ ...
whilst thinking she was going to be interviewed by her close friend
Godfrey Winn Godfrey Herbert Winn (15 October 1906 – 19 June 1971) was an English journalist known as a columnist, and also a writer and actor. Born in Kings Norton, Worcestershire, he attended King Edward's School, Birmingham.Ghostarchive
and th
Wayback Machine


Selected filmography

* ''
The Girl in the Crowd ''The Girl in the Crowd'' is a 1935 British comedy film directed by Michael Powell starring Barry Clifton, Patricia Hilliard (actress), Patricia Hilliard, and Googie Withers. The film has been declared "Missing, Believed Lost" by the British Fil ...
'' (1935) – Sally * '' The Love Test'' (1935) – Minnie * '' Windfall'' (1935) – Dodie * ''
Her Last Affaire ''Her Last Affaire'' is a 1935 British drama film directed by Michael Powell and starring Hugh Williams, Viola Keats, Cecil Parker and Googie Withers. The wife of a politician is found dead at a country inn. It was based on the play ''S.O.S.'' b ...
'' (1935) – Effie * '' Dark World'' (1935) – Annie * '' All at Sea'' (1935) – Daphne Tomkins * ''
She Knew What She Wanted ''She Knew What She Wanted'' is a 1936 British musical comedy film directed by Thomas Bentley and starring Albert Burdon, Claude Dampier and Googie Withers. It was based on the stage musical ''Funny Face''. Premise An amoral young dancer falls ...
'' (1936) – Dora * '' Crown v. Stevens'' (1936) – Ella Levine * ''
Crime Over London ''Crime Over London'' is a 1936 British crime film directed by Alfred Zeisler and starring Margot Grahame, Paul Cavanagh and David Burns. It was made at Isleworth Studios,Wood p.89 based on the novel ''House of a Thousand Windows'' by Ludwi ...
'' (1936) – Miss Dupres * '' Accused'' (1936) – Ninette Duval * ''
King of Hearts The king of hearts is a playing card in the standard 52-card deck. King of Hearts may also refer to: Games * The king of hearts has five sons, card game that may have been a precursor to Cluedo Books * King of Hearts (Alice's Adventures in ...
'' (1936) – Elaine * ''
Action for Slander ''Action for Slander'' is a 1937 British drama film directed by Tim Whelan and starring Clive Brook, Ann Todd and Googie Withers. The plot is about an army officer who is falsely accused at cheating at cards by a man whose wife he had an affa ...
'' (1937) – Mary * ''
Pearls Bring Tears ''Pearls Bring Tears'' is a 1937 British comedy drama film directed by Manning Haynes and starring John Stuart, Dorothy Boyd and Googie Withers. Plot Madge Hart (Dorothy Boyd) borrows a pearl necklace to wear to a dance, but then accidentally ...
'' (1937) – Doreen * '' Paradise for Two'' (1937) – Miki * ''
The Green Cockatoo ''The Green Cockatoo'' (also known as ''Four Dark Hours'' and ''Race Gang'') is a 1937 British drama film directed by William Cameron Menzies and starring John Mills, Rène Ray, and Robert Newton. It was adapted by Ted Barkman from a story ...
'' (1937) – (uncredited) * ''
Paid in Error ''Paid in Error'' is a 1938 British comedy film directed by Maclean Rogers and featuring George Carney, Lillian Christine and Tom Helmore. The screenplay concerns a man who is mistakenly given a large sum of money at the bank. Cast * George ...
'' (1938) – Jean Mason * '' If I Were Boss'' (1938) – Pat * ''
Strange Boarders ''Strange Boarders'' is a 1938 British comedy thriller film, directed by Herbert Mason, produced by Edward Black and written by Sidney Gilliat and A. R. Rawlinson. It stars Tom Walls, Renée Saint-Cyr, Googie Withers and Ronald Adam. The f ...
'' (1938) – Elsie * ''
Convict 99 ''Convict 99'' is a 1938 British comedy film directed by Marcel Varnel and starring Will Hay, Moore Marriott, Graham Moffatt and Googie Withers. It was one of several comedies Hay made for producer Ted Black. Plot Incompetent Dr Benjamin ...
'' (1938) – Lottie * '' Kate Plus Ten'' (1938) – Lady Moya * ''
The Lady Vanishes ''The Lady Vanishes'' is a 1938 British Mystery film, mystery Thriller (genre), thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Margaret Lockwood and Michael Redgrave. Written by Sidney Gilliat and Frank Launder, based on the 1936 novel '' ...
'' (1938) – Blanche * ''
You're the Doctor ''You're the Doctor'' is a 1938 British comedy film directed by Roy Lockwood and starring Barry K. Barnes, Googie Withers and Norma Varden. The screenplay concerns a young woman who pretends to be ill to avoid going on a cruise with her parents ...
'' (1938) – Helen Firmstone * '' Trouble Brewing'' (1939) – Mary Brown * ''
Murder in Soho Murder is the unlawful killing of another human without justification or valid excuse committed with the necessary intention as defined by the law in a specific jurisdiction. ("The killing of another person without justification or excuse ...
'' (1939) – Lola Matthews * '' The Gang's All Here'' (1939) – Alice Forrest * ''
Dead Men are Dangerous ''Dead Men are Dangerous'' is a 1939 British noir crime film directed by Harold French and starring Robert Newton, Betty Lynne, John Warwick, and Peter Gawthorne. It was released in the U.S. as ''Dangerous Masquerade''. Its plot concerns an u ...
'' (1939) * '' She Couldn't Say No'' (1940) – Dora * ''
Busman's Honeymoon ''Busman's Honeymoon'' is a 1937 novel by Dorothy L. Sayers, her eleventh and last featuring Lord Peter Wimsey, and her fourth and last to feature Harriet Vane. Plot introduction Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane marry and go to spend the ...
'' (1940) – Polly * ''
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 pic ...
'' (1940) – Toots * '' Jeannie'' (1941) – Laundry Girl * '' Back-Room Boy'' (1942) – Bobbie * '' One of Our Aircraft Is Missing'' (1942) – Jo de Vries * ''
The Silver Fleet ''The Silver Fleet'' is a 1943 British World War II film written and directed by Vernon Sewell and Gordon Wellesley and produced by Powell and Pressburger under the banner of "The Archers". Plot Early during the Second World War, the Nazis ove ...
'' (1943) – Helène van Leyden * '' On Approval'' (1944) – Helen Hale * ''
They Came to a City ''They Came to a City'' is a 1944 British black-and-white science-fiction film directed by Basil Dearden and starring John Clements, Googie Withers, Raymond Huntley, Renee Gadd and A. E. Matthews. It was adapted from the 1943 play of the same t ...
'' (1945) – Alice * ''
Dead of Night ''Dead of Night'' is a 1945 British supernatural horror anthology film directed by Alberto Cavalcanti, Charles Crichton, Basil Dearden, and Robert Hamer. It stars Mervyn Johns, Googie Withers, Sally Ann Howes, and Michael Redgrave. Produ ...
'' (1945) – Joan Cortland (segment "Linking Story") / (segment "The Haunted Mirror") * ''
Pink String and Sealing Wax ''Pink String and Sealing Wax'' is a 1945 British drama film directed by Robert Hamer and starring Mervyn Johns. It is based on a play with the same name by Roland Pertwee. It was the first feature film Robert Hamer directed on his own. The ti ...
'' (1945) – Pearl Bond * ''
The Loves of Joanna Godden ''The Loves of Joanna Godden'' is a 1947 British historical drama film directed by Charles Frend and produced by Michael Balcon. The screenplay was written by H. E. Bates and Angus MacPhail from the novel '' Joanna Godden'' (1921) by Sheila Kaye ...
'' (1947) – Joanna Godden * ''
It Always Rains on Sunday ''It Always Rains on Sunday'' is a 1947 British film adaptation of Arthur La Bern's novel of the same name, directed by Robert Hamer. The film has been compared with the poetic realism movement in the French cinema of a few years earlier by the ...
'' (1947) – Rose Sandigate * '' Miranda'' (1948) – Clare Martin * '' Once Upon a Dream'' (1949) – Carol Gilbert * ''
Night and the City ''Night and the City'' is a 1950 British film noir directed by Jules Dassin and starring Richard Widmark, Gene Tierney and Googie Withers. It is based on the novel of the same name by Gerald Kersh. Shot on location in London and at Shepp ...
'' (1950) – Helen Nosseross * ''
Traveller's Joy ''Traveller's Joy'' is a 1949 British comedy film directed by Ralph Thomas and starring Googie Withers, John McCallum and Maurice Denham. Based on a West End play of the same name by Arthur Macrae, it was the last film released by the original ...
'' (1950) – Bumble Pelham * ''
White Corridors ''White Corridors'' is a 1951 British drama film directed by Pat Jackson and starring Googie Withers, Godfrey Tearle, James Donald and Petula Clark. It was written by Jan Read and Jackson based on the 1944 novel ''Yeoman's Hospital'' by Helen ...
'' (1951) – Dr. Sophie Dean * ''
The Magic Box ''The Magic Box'' is a 1951 British Technicolor biographical drama film directed by John Boulting. The film stars Robert Donat as William Friese-Greene, with numerous cameo appearances by performers such as Peter Ustinov and Laurence Olivie ...
'' (1951) – Sitter in Bath Studio * ''
Lady Godiva Rides Again ''Lady Godiva Rides Again'' (U.S. title: ''Bikini Baby'') is a 1951 British comedy film starring Pauline Stroud, George Cole and Bernadette O'Farrell, with British stars in supporting roles or making cameo appearances. It concerns a small-tow ...
'' (1951) – Susan Foster (actress in clip, "The Shadow of the Orient") (uncredited) * '' Derby Day'' (1952) – Betty Molloy * ''
Devil on Horseback ''Devil on Horseback'' is a 1954 British sports drama film directed by Cyril Frankel and starring Googie Withers, John McCallum and Jeremy Spenser. The screenplay was by Scottish writer Neil Paterson. Plot Fourteen-year-old Moppy Parfit pur ...
'' (1954) – Mrs. Cadell * ''
Port of Escape ''Port of Escape'' is a 1956 British thriller film directed by Tony Young and starring Googie Withers, John McCallum, Bill Kerr and Joan Hickson. The screenplay was by Barbara S. Harper and Young based on a short story by Harper. Plot Two sai ...
'' (1956) – Anne Stirling * ''
The First 400 Years '' The First 400 Years'' is a 1964 Australian television play. It was filmed in Adelaide. The stars were performing in the play around Australia for JC Williamsons. It screened in two parts. Premise A collection of scenes from the plays of Willi ...
'' (1964) * ''
Nickel Queen ''Nickel Queen'' is a 1971 Australian comedy film starring Googie Withers and directed by her husband John McCallum. The story was loosely based on the Poseidon bubble, a nickel boom in Western Australia in the late 1960s, and tells of an outback ...
'' (1971) – Meg Blake * ''
The Cherry Orchard ''The Cherry Orchard'' () is the last play by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. Written in 1903, it was first published by '' Znaniye'' (Book Two, 1904), and came out as a separate edition later that year in Saint Petersburg, via A.F. Marks Pu ...
'' (1974, TV Movie) – Ranevskaya * ''
Within These Walls ''Within These Walls'' is a British television drama programme made by London Weekend Television for ITV and shown between 1974 and 1978. It portrayed life in HMP Stone Park, a fictional women's prison. Unlike later women-in-prison TV series ...
'' (1974–1975, TV Series) – Prison Governess – Faye Boswell * ''
Screen Two ''Screen Two'' is a British television anthology drama series, produced by the BBC and transmitted on BBC2 from 1985 to 1998 (not to be confused with a run of films shown on BBC2 under the billing ''Screen 2'' between April 1977 and March 1978 ...
'' (1986, TV Series) – Mrs. Allen / Mrs. Pusey / Leda Klein * '' Melba'' (1988, TV Mini-Series) – Lady Armstrong * '' Country Life'' (1994) – Hannah * '' Shine'' (1996) – Katharine Susannah Prichard (final film role)


References


External links

* *
, %20Number%3A355688%20, %20Number%3A360821;querytype=;resCount=10 Googie Withers at the National Film and Sound Archive

Performances listed in the Theatre Archive University of Bristol
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Withers, Googie 1917 births 2011 deaths Alumni of the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts Australian people of Dutch descent Best Actress BAFTA Award (television) winners Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Helpmann Award winners Honorary officers of the Order of Australia British emigrants to Australia English film actresses English people of Dutch descent English stage actresses English television actresses Actresses from Karachi British people in colonial India Actresses from British India