Birthday:
07-24-1902
Deathday:
02-09-1980 (77 years)
Birthplace:
Johnstone, Renfrewshire, Scotland, UK
Biography
Renée Houston (24 July 1902 - 9 February 1980) was a Scottish comedy actress and revue artist who appeared in television and film roles.
Born in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, as Katherina Houston Gribbin she toured music halls and revues with her sister Billie Houston as the "Houston Sisters".
In 1926, the sisters made a short musical film, the script of which Renée had written. It was produced by Lee De Forest, whose process, Phonofilm, enabled a soundtrack to be played alongside the film (a year before The Jazz Singer).
Houston married three times, the second was to the actor Pat Aherne, the brother of Brian Aherne. Her third husband was the actor Donald Stewart.
In her later years, she specialised in "battleaxe" roles, notably as shop steward Vic Spanner's (Kenneth Cope) formidable mother in Carry On at Your Convenience (1971). She published her autobiography in 1974 which was entitled Don't Fence Me In.
Houston was also in the early episodes of radio's The Clitheroe Kid and a regular guest on radio panel show The Petticoat Line chaired by Anona Winn.
She died in London at the age of 77 on 9 February 1980.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Born in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, as Katherina Houston Gribbin she toured music halls and revues with her sister Billie Houston as the "Houston Sisters".
In 1926, the sisters made a short musical film, the script of which Renée had written. It was produced by Lee De Forest, whose process, Phonofilm, enabled a soundtrack to be played alongside the film (a year before The Jazz Singer).
Houston married three times, the second was to the actor Pat Aherne, the brother of Brian Aherne. Her third husband was the actor Donald Stewart.
In her later years, she specialised in "battleaxe" roles, notably as shop steward Vic Spanner's (Kenneth Cope) formidable mother in Carry On at Your Convenience (1971). She published her autobiography in 1974 which was entitled Don't Fence Me In.
Houston was also in the early episodes of radio's The Clitheroe Kid and a regular guest on radio panel show The Petticoat Line chaired by Anona Winn.
She died in London at the age of 77 on 9 February 1980.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Read morearrow_drop_down
Their works
- Release swap_vert
- Title swap_vert
- Ratings swap_vert
close
Cul-de-sac
Act like Christopher's Mother
event1966 star_border 6.8
top_panel_open
On the run and in search of help, two wounded gangsters find refuge in the secluded castle of a feeble man and his wife; however, under the point of a gun, nothing is what it seems.
Repulsion
Act like Mme Balch
event1965 star_border 7.4
top_panel_open
Beautiful young manicurist Carole suffers from androphobia (the pathological fear of interaction with men). When her sister and roommate, Helen, leaves their London flat to go on an Italian holiday with her married boyfriend, Carole withdraws into her apartment. She begins to experience frightful hallucinations, her fear gradually mutating into madness.
Carry On Spying
Act like Funhouse Madame
event1964 star_border 6.4
top_panel_open
Carry On favourite Barbara Windsor makes her debut in this outrageous send-up of the James Bond movies. Fearless agent Desmond Simpkins and Charlie Bind, aided and abetted by the comely Agent Honeybutt and Agent Crump, battle against the evil powers of international bad guys STENCH and their three cronies.
Two Thousand Women
Act like Maud Wright
event1944 star_border 6.9
top_panel_open
During the Second World War, three downed English airmen hide out with women's internment camp in France.
Legend of the Werewolf
Act like Chou-Chou
event1975 star_border 5.3
top_panel_open
A travelling circus in 19th century France adopts and showcases a feral "wolf boy", who grows into adulthood only to kill the one-man band. He runs off to Paris, where he develops a jealous, overprotective crush on a prostitute, leading him to attack her client, incurring a pursuit by a determined police surgeon.
Time Without Pity
Act like Mrs. Harker
event1957 star_border 6.6
top_panel_open
Alec Graham is sentenced to death for the murder of his girlfriend Jennie, with whom he spent a weekend at the English country home of the parents of his friend Brian Stanford. Alec’s father, David Graham, a not-so-successful writer and alcoholic who has neglected his son in the past, flies in from Canada to visit his son on death row. David then goes on a quest to try and clear his son’s name while battling “the bottle.”
The Horse's Mouth
Act like Sara Monday
event1958 star_border 6.7
top_panel_open
Gulley Jimson is a boorish aging artist recently released from prison. A swindler in search of his next art project, he hunkers down in the penthouse of would-be patrons the Beeders while they go on an extended vacation; he paints a mural on their wall, pawns their valuables and, along with the sculptor Abel, inadvertently smashes a large hole in their floor. Jimson's next project is an even larger wall in an abandoned church.
The Phantom of the Opera
Act like Mrs. Tucker
event1962 star_border 6.4
top_panel_open
A London opera house is haunted by tragic events on its opening night, but when its star is kidnapped, a producer tracks down the Phantom who is intent on seeking his revenge.
Carry On Cabby
Act like Molly
event1963 star_border 6.4
top_panel_open
Speedee Taxis is a great success, which means its workaholic owner Charlie starts neglecting Peggy, his wife. Suddenly a fleet of rival taxis appears from nowhere and start pinching all the fares. The rivals are Glamcabs, and they have a secret weapon. All their drivers are very attractive women! Who's behind Glamcabs? It's open warfare and only one fleet can survive!
Carry On at Your Convenience
Act like Agatha Spanner
event1971 star_border 6.2
top_panel_open
At WC Boggs' Lavatory factory, Vic Spanner is the union representative who calls a strike at the drop of a hat. However, eventually everyone gets fed up with him.
The Flesh and the Fiends
Act like Helen Burke
event1960 star_border 6.6
top_panel_open
Edinburgh surgeon Dr. Robert Knox requires cadavers for his research into the functioning of the human body; local ne'er-do-wells Burke and Hare find ways to provide him with fresh specimens...
A Town Like Alice
Act like Ebbey
event1956 star_border 6.3
top_panel_open
In 1941 Malaysia, the advancing Japanese army captures a lot of British territory very quickly. The men are sent off to labor camps, but they have no plan on what to do with the women and children of the British.
The Nice Americans
Act like Mrs. Adams
event1958
top_panel_open
American airman loves English girl whose father refuses permission for their marriage out of hatred for all Yankees.
Watch It, Sailor!
Act like Mrs. Mottram
event1961 star_border 6.5
top_panel_open
Sailor Albert gets a message from the Navy saying he can't marry for certain unexplained legal reasons. Everyone, including his domineering mother-in-law to be, jumps to the conclusion that there must be another woman involved.
Track the Man Down
Act like Pat Sherwood
event1955 star_border 5.8
top_panel_open
A newspaper reporter finds himself drawn into the aftermath of a racetrack robbery.
The Peterville Diamond
Act like Lady Margaret
event1943 star_border 5.3
top_panel_open
Frantic farce involving a neglected wife, a stolen diamond and four identical briefcases.
The Spy with a Cold Nose
Act like Lady Blanchflower
event1966 star_border 3.3
top_panel_open
A dog with a spying device under its skin is sent to the Russian government as a present. When the Russians send the dog to a veterinary, British intelligence must get to the dog first and retrieve the spying device.
Out of the Fog
Act like Ma
event1962 star_border 6.5
top_panel_open
Scotland Yard is thrown into an uproar when a mad killer begins knocking off beautiful young blondes.
No, My Darling Daughter
Act like Miss Yardley
event1961 star_border 6.3
top_panel_open
A British business tycoon is surprised to discover his teenage daughter is being courted by a mysterious young man.
Secrets of a Windmill Girl
event1966 star_border 3
top_panel_open
One Windmill girl tells the tragic history of another who took to drink and, finally, killed herself after working in strip clubs.
Mister Cinders
Act like Mrs. Phipps
event1934
top_panel_open
The Cinderella story is reversed in this light-hearted adaptation, with Cinders a young man who eventually wins the 'princess' – in this case, an oil millionaire's daughter!
The Key
Act like Canteen Worker (uncredited)
event1958 star_border 6
top_panel_open
In wartime England, circa 1941, poorly-armed tugs are sent into "U-Boat Alley" to rescue damaged Allied ships. An American named David Ross arrives to captain one of these tugs. He's given a key by a fellow tugboat-man -- a key to an apartment and its pretty female resident. Should something happen to the friend, Ross can use the key.
A Girl Must Live
Act like Gloria Lind
event1939 star_border 4.3
top_panel_open
A run-away school-girl falls among chorus girls planning to marry into the nobility.
And the Same to You
Act like Mildred Pomphret
event1960 star_border 5.6
top_panel_open
Dickie Dreadnought is the boxing-mad nephew of pious clergyman Reverend Sydney Mullet. To mollify his disapproving uncle, Dickie embarks on an elaborate plan to keep his budding boxing career a secret, with he and his tough-talking promoter Wally Burton both pretending to be devout 'men of the cloth'.
Lady Godiva Rides Again
Act like Beattie
event1951 star_border 5.8
top_panel_open
Marjory Clark wins a competition in her Midland town and finds herself in a Festival of Britain procession as Lady Godiva - though not in the buff. This leads by way of a suspect beauty competition to the show-business world of London. But it could be a slippery slope for simple home-town Marge.
Their Night Out
Act like Maggie Oliphant
event1933
top_panel_open
An evening of cocktails and frolicking lands a chap in hot water when he's suspected of masterminding a criminal gang!
Radio Parade
event1933
top_panel_open
Radio Parade (1933) is a variety film featuring such stars of the time as Clapham and Dwyer, Gert and Daisy, Reginald Gardiner, Florence Desmond, and Roy Fox.
Old Bill and Son
Act like Stella Malloy
event1941 star_border 6.5
top_panel_open
Old Bill has grumbled his way through the trenches of the First World War. Now it is the Second and, envious of his son, Young Bill, he decides to enlist. He finally enters the Pioneer Corps, which is based near his son. When Young Bill goes missing during a raid, Old Bill shows that there's still life in the old dog yet!
Three on a Spree
Act like Mrs. Gray
event1961 star_border 5.3
top_panel_open
A young man will inherit a huge fortune--8 million pounds--but to qualify, he must spend a million pounds in just two months. Easy to do? That's what you think!
The Comic
Act like Olive
event1969
top_panel_open
The story of a comedian with a talent close to genius but with an insecurity problem.
The Rescue Squad
Act like Mrs Manse
event1963 star_border 4
top_panel_open
A party of children playing on a moor lose their toy aeroplane which flies through the window of a lonely tower. A multitude of objects found in the town to help rescue the aeroplane prove very difficult to get out to the moor, involving them with barrows, traffic and the local hunt. At last they succeed in entering the tower only to get trapped themselves. Finally Neddy, the donkey, shows them the way out.
River Rivals
Act like Mrs. Fredericks
event1967
top_panel_open
Two families and their children are rivals in a forthcoming race for do-it-yourself boat builders. (7 episodes, each 14-21 minutes.)
Lost In The Legion
Act like Mary McFee
event1934
top_panel_open
Two ship's cooks get lost in the desert and unwittingly enroll in the Foreign Legion!
Down Melody Lane
Act like Self
event1943
top_panel_open
The story of a Variety Theatre, illustrated by performers from its past.
The Idol
Act like 1st Woman at Party
event1966 star_border 4.9
top_panel_open
A rebellious student embarks on an affair with the mother of his best friend, leading to disastrous consequences.
Come Into My Parlour
Act like Jenny MacDonald
event1932
top_panel_open
A British crime film directed by John Longden
Happy Days Are Here Again
Act like Kitty Seymour
event1936
top_panel_open
A pair of sisters have ambitions to take to the stage when they realize that their parent's act is finished.
The Belles of St. Trinian's
Act like Miss Brimmer
event1954 star_border 6.3
top_panel_open
The unruly schoolgirls of St Trinian's are more interested in men and mischief than homework and hockey. But greater trouble than ever beckons when the arrival at the school of Princess Fatima of Makyad coincides with the return of recently expelled Arabella Fritton, who has the kidnap of a prize racehorse on her mind. The first film in the classic comedy series.
Twice Round the Daffodils
Act like Matron
event1962 star_border 6.6
top_panel_open
Twice Round the Daffodils is a 1962 British comedy drama film directed by Gerald Thomas and starring Juliet Mills, Donald Sinden, Donald Houston, Kenneth Williams, Ronald Lewis, Andrew Ray, Joan Sims and Jill Ireland. A new group of patients arrive at a hospital to be treated for tuberculosis where they all take a fancy to one of the nurses. The film was adapted from the play Ring for Catty by Patrick Cargill and Jack Beale. Carry on Nurse from 1959 was based on the same play. The cast and production team of Twice Round the Daffodils create a noticeable similarity with the Carry On films, but the film is not an official member of the Carry On series.
Nurse on Wheels
Act like Mrs. Beacon
event1963 star_border 5.7
top_panel_open
Quietly competent young Joanna moves with her scatterbrain mother to a country village to take up her first job as District Nurse. She soon overcomes the suspicion of her patients used to someone rather older, while becoming romantically involved with a local farmer - at least until he tries to evict a newly-arrived expectant couple who park their caravan on his land.
Tomorrow at Ten
Act like Masie Maddox
event1963 star_border 6.1
top_panel_open
A British policeman (John Gregson) tries to find a rich man's (Alec Clunes) son before a kidnapper's (Robert Shaw) time bomb blows.
The Big Money
Act like Bobbie
event1958 star_border 6.4
top_panel_open
Petty thief Willie Frith steals a suitcase full of bank notes, only to find out that they have been given all the same serial number. But this is only the start of his troubles, now he has to find a way of changing the notes, so he can impress the barmaid of his local pub.
Fine Feathers
Act like Teenie McPherson
event1937
top_panel_open
A Scottish shop-girl gets mixed up with crooks then has to pose as the mistress of the Crown Prince of Boravia.
The Saint
Act like Ida Warshed (1 ep.)
event1962 star_border 7.3
top_panel_open
Simon Templar is The Saint, a handsome, sophisticated, debonair, modern-day Robin Hood who recovers ill-gotten wealth and redistributes it to those in need.
Dr. Finlay's Casebook
(1 ep.)
event1962 star_border 6
top_panel_open
Dr Finlay's Casebook is a television series that was broadcast on the BBC from 1962 until 1971. Based on A. J. Cronin's novella ‘Country Doctor’, the storylines centred on a general medical practice in the fictional Scottish town of Tannochbrae during the late 1920s. Cronin was the primary writer for the show between 1962 and 1964.
No Hiding Place
(2 ep.)
event1959 star_border 3.7
top_panel_open
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 and Crime Sheet, all starring Raymond Francis as Detective Superintendent, later Detective Chief Superintendent Tom Lockhart.
Maigret
Act like Ja-Ja (1 ep.)
event1960 star_border 6.9
top_panel_open
BBC series based on the novels by Georges Simenon which starred Rupert Davies as Inspector Maigret, a French police detective who preferred to watch and listen in order to solve crimes. The series ran from 1960-63 on British television.
Doctor in the House
(26 ep.)
event1969 star_border 4.3
top_panel_open
The misadventures of a group of medical students.
Show more expand_more
keyboard_double_arrow_down