Diana Dors (1931-1984)

biography

Born Diana Flick in Swindon, England, on October 23, 1931, beautiful Diana Dors was billed as Britain's answer to Marilyn Monroe in the 1950s, but in reality she and Monroe were two different types. Dors harbored acting aspirations at an early age, and after winning a beauty contest at the age of 13, she went to acting school. Once referring to herself as "The only sex symbol England produced since Lady Godiva", Dors made her film debut at age 15 in The Shop at Sly Corner (1947). Bigger and better roles soon followed, and by the early 1950s, Dors was starring in numerous potboiler films. In 1951, at the age of 19, Dors married Dennis Hamilton. Along with her husband's help, she cultivated a sexy bad-girl image that played well in her early films, including Dance Hall (1950), The Weak and the Wicked (1953), and Blonde Sinner (1956). By 1956, Dors was the highest paid actress in Britain, earning more than $3 million per year. However, her first marriage didn't survive her career, and the couple separated in 1958. Hamilton passed away in early 1959, before their divorce was final. Later that year, Dors married actor and game show host Richard Dawson, with whom she had two sons.

In the mid 1950s, Dors gambled for international stardom and went to Hollywood to make a handful of films. One of her first Hollywood films was Broadway Jungle (1955), written and directed by low-budget filmmaker Phil Tucker, and this film didn't advance her career. In 1957 and 1958, she starred in The Long Haul, The Lady and the Prowler, and the comedy I Married a Woman. While Dors received good notices in these films, she eventually left Hollywood and went back to Britain. After her divorce from actor Richard Dawson in 1967, Dors married actor Alan Lake in 1968.

the films of diana dors

The Long Haul (1957)

The Lady and the Prowler (1958)

I Married a Woman (1958)

King of the Roaring 20's (1961)

Berserk! (1968)

later years

Although Diana Dors is best remembered for her sexy bombshell persona, she was highly adept at drama and comedy. She also made a number of horror films later in her career, including Nothing But the Night (1972; with Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing), Theatre of Blood (1973; with Vincent Price and Diana Rigg), and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1980; with David Hemmings). Enjoying her legendary status, she even appeared as a fairy godmother to Adam Ant in his 1981 video Prince Charming. In 1982, Dors was diagnosed with cancer and passed away on May 4, 1984, at the age of 52. Sadly, her husband Alan Lake committed suicide six months after Dors passed away. She was survived by three sons.

diana dors films available from movies unlimited

Oliver Twist [DVD](1948) DVD
The first British sound filming of the Dickens novel, David Lean's classic drama is highlighted by Alec Guinness' portrayal of the sinister Fagin. Robert Newton is menacing Bill Sikes, a young Anthony Newley is the Artful Dodger, and John Howard Davies is little Oliver. 111 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby mono; Subtitles: English; theatrical trailer. trailer; scene access.
Hammer Film Noir Double Feature, Vol. 1: Bad Blonde (1953)/Man Bait (1952) [DVD] DVD
First, seaman-turned-prizefighter Johnny Flanagan (Tony Wright) falls for his manager's wife, and when the "Bad Blonde" persuades the lovestruck pugilist to do her dirty work by murdering her husband for the insurance money, his crisis of conscience proves fatal. Barbara Payton, Frederick Valk also star. AKA: "The Flanagan Boy." Then, bookstore owner George Brent finds himself in a series of dangerous situations when he meets "Man Bait" Diana Dors. After partner Peter Reynolds hatches a blackmail plot to squeeze cash out of Brent, Dors turns up dead with fingers pointing to Brent. Marguerite Chapman, Raymond Huntley also star in this lively crime thriller from director Terence Fisher ("Horror of Dracula"). AKA: "The Last Page." 165 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; biographies; featurette; theatrical trailers.
A Kid For Two Farthings [DVD](1956) DVD
Delightful comedy, set in the Jewish section of London's Petticoat Lane, about a boy who buys a one-horned goat he believes is a unicorn with magical powers. When fantastic things begin to happen to people around him, the neighborhood begins to believe the boy's story. Celia Johnson, Diana Dors, Lou Jacobi and Jonathan Ashmore star; Carol Reed directs. 96 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
King Of The Roaring '20s--The Story Of Arnold Rothstein [DVD](1961) DVD
David Janssen stars in the story of Arnold Rothstein, the man from a humble Jewish family who went on to become one of New York's biggest gangsters during the Prohibition era. Infamous gambler Rothstein founded numerous speakeasies and gaming houses, until his ruthless and ambitious dealings ran him afoul of his family and the underworld. Mickey Rooney, Dianne Foster, and Dan O'Herlihy co-star. AKA: "The Big Bankroll." 106 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
Burke's Law: Season One, Vol. 1 [DVD](1963) DVD
The first 16 episodes from the first season--including "Who Killed Holly Howard?," "Who Killed Cable Roberts?," "Who Killed Alex Debbs?" with Diana Dors, "Who Killed the Kind Doctor?," and "Who Killed Snooky Martinelli?"--have been collected in a four-disc set. 13 1/3 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; vintage commercials; more.
The Counterfeit Constable [DVD](1964) DVD
Robert Dhery directed and stars in this romp, playing a Frenchman who lands in London to see a soccer match, but gets into trouble when he dons the outfit of a British bobby and tries to save gorgeous Diana Dors from a group of thugs. Wacky chases and other complications deriving from Dhery's mistaken identity ensue. With Ronald Fraser, Ferdy Mayne. 87 min. Soundtrack: English (dubbed).
Swedish Wildcats (1972)/New York Wildcats [DVD](2005) DVD
In "Swedish Wildcats," British sexpot Diana Dors plays Madame Margaretha, a hooker and ringmaster of a kinky sex show that features her two gorgeous nieces. When one of the girls meets a nice man and decides to go her own way, the not-so good madame is put on the spot. Naked masked performers, voyeurism, lesbianism and S&M are supplied in this Euro-titillator. And in the remake, "New York Wildcats," Chelsea Mundae is the head honcho of the Big Apple service, and Kati Jordan and sister Misty Mundae play two of her "girls." 140 min. total. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; interviews; theatrical trailers.
The Pied Piper [DVD](1972) DVD
Folk singer Donovan stars in Jacques Demy's darkly offbeat adaptation of the Brothers Grimm classic as the mysterious musician who arrives in the 14th-century, Black Plague-infested town of Hamelin with the promise of leading the diseased rats away. But with Hamelin divided among religious, social, and political lines, the Piper's price isn't met, causing him to lure the local children out of town instead. Donald Pleasence, John Hurt and Jack Wild also star. 91 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English.
Theater Of Blood (1973)/Madhouse (1974) [DVD](1973) DVD
Vincent Price camps it up in the role of his career, as a supposedly dead Shakespearean actor who avenges himself on drama critics, killing them in gory murders based on the Bard's plays! A rousing blend of horror and satire, "Theater of Blood" co-stars Diana Rigg, Ian Hendry, Robert Morley, and Milo O'Shea. Price also plays a thespian in "Madhouse." Recovering from a nervous breakdown after his fiancee's murder, horror actor Price is hired to reprise his "Dr. Death" character on TV, but someone dressed as Dr. Death is turning fiction into fearful reality. Peter Cushing and Robert Quarry also star. 195 min. total. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono, Spanish.
Vincent Price: M-G-M Scream Legends Collection [DVD] DVD
Five-disc set includes "Tales of Terror," "Twice-Told Tales," "Witchfinder General," "The Abominable Dr. Phibes," "Dr. Phibes Rises Again," "Theater of Blood," "Madhouse" (1974), exclusive featurettes, and more.
From Beyond The Grave [DVD](1973) DVD
Macabre chills abound in this horror anthology based on four short stories from R. Chetwynd-Hayes centering around items bought or stolen from a mysterious antiques shop run by Peter Cushing. Includes "The Gate Crasher," with David Warner unleashing an evil entity from a mirror; "An Act of Conscience," featuring Donald Pleasence as a spooky matchseller; "The Elemental," concerning a cursed snuffbox; and "The Door," focusing on a portal into the past. Ian Bannen, Ian Carmichael, Diana Dors, Lesley-Anne Down co-star. 98 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH), French, Spanish; theatrical trailer.
Twisted Terror Collection [DVD] DVD
Six-disc boxed set includes "From Beyond the Grave," "Someone's Watching Me!," "Eyes of a Stranger," "The Hand" (1981), "Deadly Friend," and "Dr. Giggles."
The Amorous Milkman [DVD](1975) DVD
Sexy British farce follows a merry milkman (Brendan Price) who eagerly provides some extra attention to the housewives on his delivery route. His amorous activities are curdled when he gets into hot water with a local gangster and lands in court after a jealous husband accuses him of rape! Julie Ege, Diana Dors, and Donna Reading also star. 93 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.

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filmography

FILM
Steaming (1985) with Vanessa Redgrave
Children of the Full Moon (1984) with Simon MacCorkindale
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1981) with David Hemmings and Desmond Llewelyn
Timon of Athens (1981)
Confessions from the David Galaxy Affair (1979) with Alan Lake
The Plank (1979) with Eric Sykes and Frankie Howerd
Adventures of a Private Eye (1977) with Suzy Kendall
Adventures of a Taxi Driver (1976) with Judy Geeson
Keep It Up Downstairs (1976) with Jack Wild
Bedtime with Rosie (1975)
A Man with a Maid (1975)
Nurse Will Make It Better (1975)
The Amorous Milkman (1974) with Julie Ege and Alan Lake
Three for All (1974)
Craze (1973) with Jack Palance and Julie Ege
From Beyond the Grave (1973) with Peter Cushing, Donald Pleasence, and David Warner
Steptoe and Son Ride Again (1973)
Theatre of Blood (1973) with Vincent Price, Diana Rigg, and Ian Hendry
The Amazing Mr. Blunden (1972) with Lynne Frederick; directed by Lionel Jeffries
Swedish Wildcats (1972)
Nothing But the Night (1972) with Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, and Georgia Brown
The Pied Piper (1972) with Donald Pleasence, Donovan, and Jack Wild
Hannie Caulder (1971) with Raquel Welch, Robert Culp, Ernest Borgnine, and Christopher Lee
Deep End (1970) with Jane Asher
There's a Girl in My Soup (1970) with Peter Sellers and Goldie Hawn
Baby Love (1968)
Hammerhead (1968) with Beverly Adams, Judy Geeson, David Prowse, and Vince Edwards
Danger Route (1968) with Carol Lynley and Barbara Bouchet
Berserk! (1968) with Joan Crawford, Ty Hardin, and Judy Geeson
The Sandwich Man (1966) with Peter Arne, Ian Hendry, and Terry-Thomas
West 11 (1963)
Encontra a Mallorca (1962)
Mrs. Gibbons' Boys (1962) with Lionel Jeffries
On the Double (1961) with Danny Kaye, Dana Wynter, and Gregory Walcott
King of the Roaring 20's (1961) with David Janssen, Mickey Rooney, and Jack Carson
Scent of Mystery (1960) with Denholm Elliott and Peter Lorre
Room 43 (1959) with Eddie Constantine
I Married a Woman (1958) with George Gobel and Nita Talbot
The Lady and the Prowler (1958) with Rod Steiger, Tom Tryon, and Marie Windsor
Tread Softly Stranger (1958)
The Long Haul (1957) with Victor Mature
The Love Specialist (1957) with Vittorio Gassman and Bruce Cabot
Blonde Sinner (1956)
An Alligator Named Daisy (1955)
Broadway Jungle (1955) with Eddie Constantine; directed by Phil Tucker
Miss Tulip Stays the Night (1955)
Value for Money (1955)
As Long as They're Happy (1955) with Janette Scott
A Kid for Two Farthings (1955) with Joe Robinson
The Great Game (1953)
It's a Grand Life (1953)
The Weak and the Wicked (1953) with Glynis Johns
The Saint's Return (1953)
Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary? (1952)
Man Bait (1952) with George Brent
My Wife's Lodger (1952)
Worm's Eye View (1951)
Lady Godiva Rides Again (1951)
Dance Hall (1950)
A Boy, a Girl and a Bike (1949) with Honor Blackman
Diamond City (1949) with Honor Blackman
It's Not Cricket (1949)
Vote for Huggett (1949) with Petula Clark
Good Time Girl (1949)
The Calendar (1948)
Here Come the Huggetts (1948) with Petula Clark
My Sister and I (1948) with Sally Ann Howes
Penny and the Pownall Case (1948) with Christopher Lee
Oliver Twist (1948) with Alec Guinness
Dancing with Crime (1947)

TELEVISION SERIES
Just William, 1976-1979 BBC TV series. Dors portrayed Mrs. Bott
All Our Saturdays, 1973 BBC TV series. Dors portrayed Di Dorkins
Queenie's Castle, 1970-1972 BBC TV series. Dors portrayed Queenie Shepherd

diana dors film now showing

Watch Diana Dors' 1968 drama Baby Love