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Margaret Rutherford: Dreadnought with Good Manners
Margaret Rutherford was without a doubt one of Britain's best-loved comic actresses. But behind the kindly, serene front Rutherford presented to the world lay a life of trauma and repeated nervous breakdown - the legacy of the legacy of family tragedy that saw her father murder her grandfather during a bout of mental illness and her depressive mother later kill herself. Andy Merriman's acclaimed biography intrigued and shocked readers with these revelations when it was published in hardback. Now out in paperback, is also a portrait of one of our most individual actresses. Rutherford appeared in such thoroughly English classics as Blithe Spirit, The importance of Being Earnest, Passport to Pimlico and I'm All Right, Jack! But above all she was Miss Marple, in four films - and entirely created for the screen the role of Agatha Christie's elderly and fearless private detective that subsequent actresses like Joan Hickson and Geraldine McEwan have continued. Rutherford first played Miss Marple at the age of 70, and insisted on wearing her own clothes to feel right in the part. Above all, this was a vulnerable woman whom no-one failed to like and respect, notable again and again for quiet acts of kindness, whose life story has great appeal to everyone who appreciates both classic English comedy and simple human decency.
- GenresBiographyNonfiction
304 pages, Paperback
First published September 25, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 15, 2025
This book was far more focused on the plays Margaret Rutherford was in that who she was as a person . It also very clearly was written with a biased view in mind .
Despite all of that, it was a pleasant enough read - it just could have been better.
Despite all of that, it was a pleasant enough read - it just could have been better.
September 2, 2012
Margaret Rutherford was a unique actor - an assemblage of good diction, wilful eccentricity and colourful appearance. Her acting credits encompass light comedy primarily with her surviving film work probably defined by her work in Blithe Spirit (1945) and The Importance of Being Ernest (1952).
Rutherford's work was characterised primarily by joy but Merriman convey slittle of that joy in his souless biography which is a rationale outline of the facts of Rutherfrod's life but without any emotional or other investment.
This book took me weeks to read due to its disconnected and emotionless style. I fear this work must be reckoned a failure despite the obvious research that went into its creation.
Rutherford's work was characterised primarily by joy but Merriman convey slittle of that joy in his souless biography which is a rationale outline of the facts of Rutherfrod's life but without any emotional or other investment.
This book took me weeks to read due to its disconnected and emotionless style. I fear this work must be reckoned a failure despite the obvious research that went into its creation.
August 4, 2013
Rather dry - more detail on what play, where & when with really very little detail about her life. I'm sure there is more to be revealed but this isn't the book that does it. For devotees only.
May 18, 2014
Before the days of "national treasures" there was Margaret Rutherford, a treasure if ever there was one. Unfortunately, for me, this book somehow failed to bring her fully to life and I found a life chronicled, but not totally illuminated. Still, I did get some sense of her kind, and rather innocent, nature which caused so many to warm to her both on, and off, stage. It made me rather nostalgic for those films which now seem so much part of another era!
May 9, 2021
A fascinating life. After traumatic childhood, she became quite a beloved figure on screen, despite only entering acting in her 30s. She sadly suffered with her mental health all her life but what an indomitable character!
July 17, 2015
As a fan I was disappointed as it just rabbled on about all the films and plays she'd been in. Not enough information about Margaret herself. Skipped the book from chapter four till near the end.
July 6, 2020
Merriman is obviously endeared with his subject, who endured all sorts of turmoil in her 80 years. The author contends Rutherford's much-maligned face illustrated her humanness and immediately established her character. Rutherford would have enjoyed playing in Shakespeare plays, but early on was typecast as a scatterbrained eccentric and the image stuck.
Merriman tells how Rutherford's father killed Margaret's grandfather 10 years before her birth and how Margaret's mother committed suicide while Margaret was a toddler. As a child, Margaret was told her father was dead, when he really was in a mental hospital. Raised by an aunt, Margaret at age 12 learned the truth about her mother as well as her psychotic father. That no doubt led to her own mental illness of bipolar disorder. Margaret was hospitalized multiple times for depression.
Nevertheless, on the British stage Rutherford honed her acting skills largely by playing comic dotty aunts. Years of minor character roles left her financially insecure.
She didn't marry until age 53 to Stringer Davis, who doted on her. The same year, Rutherford had her breakout film role in "Blithe Spirit." Her busiest times in films came in her early 70s with a series of movies in which she played Miss Marple.
Rutherford garnered universal admiration from directors, critics, and fellow thespians. Her generosity and kindness to novice actresses and actors is well documented. Neither she nor her husband handled money well; they had to keep working to stay out of debt. Sadly, dementia set in near the end of Rutherford's life, preventing her from working.
Merriman tells how Rutherford's father killed Margaret's grandfather 10 years before her birth and how Margaret's mother committed suicide while Margaret was a toddler. As a child, Margaret was told her father was dead, when he really was in a mental hospital. Raised by an aunt, Margaret at age 12 learned the truth about her mother as well as her psychotic father. That no doubt led to her own mental illness of bipolar disorder. Margaret was hospitalized multiple times for depression.
Nevertheless, on the British stage Rutherford honed her acting skills largely by playing comic dotty aunts. Years of minor character roles left her financially insecure.
She didn't marry until age 53 to Stringer Davis, who doted on her. The same year, Rutherford had her breakout film role in "Blithe Spirit." Her busiest times in films came in her early 70s with a series of movies in which she played Miss Marple.
Rutherford garnered universal admiration from directors, critics, and fellow thespians. Her generosity and kindness to novice actresses and actors is well documented. Neither she nor her husband handled money well; they had to keep working to stay out of debt. Sadly, dementia set in near the end of Rutherford's life, preventing her from working.
February 4, 2026
I used to love watching Rutherford as Miss Marple - totally unlike Christie's original creation, but tremendous fun all the same - so I was curious to learn more about her life.
When an actor has achieved fame for their comic roles, it's easy to assume that they have an easy, trouble-free life, but nothing could be further from the truth. She experienced family tragedy, career setbacks, poverty, loneliness and betrayal from those she trusted most.
Rutherford was obviously a really kind person as well as a gifted actress. She and her husband, Stringer Davis, sound like a lovely pair to visit, and they seem to have been highly regarded by just about everyone they worked with. I learned a lot more about Rutherford's career, and I would be interested to track down some of her earlier film appearances - she was such a marvellous actor.
I do understand why some reviews complain that there is very little detail of Rutherford's life apart from her acting roles, but I think this is a common issue with actor biographies, as so much of their life is about their role. In Rutherford's case, she hid the details of her parents' ill fortune as much as she could, her early life with her aunt was very quiet and her teaching career wouldn't have lent itself to much drama. So I don't think Merriman could easily have included more detail on these areas. However, the book might have been improved if he had cut some of the detail on her more minor or less successful acting roles. But overall, this is a good biography and has given me a much greater appreciation of Rutherford as an actor and as a person. Recommended to anyone who is interested in knowing more about her life.
When an actor has achieved fame for their comic roles, it's easy to assume that they have an easy, trouble-free life, but nothing could be further from the truth. She experienced family tragedy, career setbacks, poverty, loneliness and betrayal from those she trusted most.
Rutherford was obviously a really kind person as well as a gifted actress. She and her husband, Stringer Davis, sound like a lovely pair to visit, and they seem to have been highly regarded by just about everyone they worked with. I learned a lot more about Rutherford's career, and I would be interested to track down some of her earlier film appearances - she was such a marvellous actor.
I do understand why some reviews complain that there is very little detail of Rutherford's life apart from her acting roles, but I think this is a common issue with actor biographies, as so much of their life is about their role. In Rutherford's case, she hid the details of her parents' ill fortune as much as she could, her early life with her aunt was very quiet and her teaching career wouldn't have lent itself to much drama. So I don't think Merriman could easily have included more detail on these areas. However, the book might have been improved if he had cut some of the detail on her more minor or less successful acting roles. But overall, this is a good biography and has given me a much greater appreciation of Rutherford as an actor and as a person. Recommended to anyone who is interested in knowing more about her life.
August 24, 2023
This biography of the quintessentially eccentric English actress starts with a bang, relating Rutherford's sensational family history, before fizzling out a bit when Merriman delves into an overly thorough chronology of her career. The bulk of the book reads a bit like a detailed CV, peppered with just enough anecdotes and reminiscences to keep the reader interested, if not enthralled. Those memories, sporadic though they seem, are just enough to give us a sense of Rutherford's personality - her kindness, her quirkiness, her exacting nature when it came to certain things, and her acceptance of those gifts which God bestowed upon her... and those he didn't. (What thick skin an actress must have!) There's a good bit of name dropping here, but many of them will be unfamiliar to younger (comparitively) American readers. For every Lawrence Olivier or Sophia Loren anecdote, there are 10 British theater actors from the first half of the 20th century mentioned whose names meant nothing to me. All those names without recognition made some of the text a bit of a slog that had me skimming. Perhaps they will be better known to British readers. All that aside, it was a joy to learn about Rutherford. I would have loved to have had tea with Rutherford and her husband Stringer; they sound as if they were the most hospitable of hosts.
June 10, 2020
Àn excellent biography of this unique actress. At the beginning of the book there are revelations about her mother and father which will shock and amaze you. She did not include these facts in her autobiography and never spoke of them during her lifetime.
She was determined from an early age to be an actress, and it took many years of striving for her to attain this. In her long career she was extremely successful and remained the ultimate dedicated professional. Andy Merriman gives us a detailed account of her professiona life, keeping us interested by filling in her many personal relationships, including her husband, Springer Davis. Their courtship and marriage is a fascinating story on its own. She was dearly beloved by her public and by all who knew her. By the end of the book we feel we know the soul of Margaret Rutherford.
She was determined from an early age to be an actress, and it took many years of striving for her to attain this. In her long career she was extremely successful and remained the ultimate dedicated professional. Andy Merriman gives us a detailed account of her professiona life, keeping us interested by filling in her many personal relationships, including her husband, Springer Davis. Their courtship and marriage is a fascinating story on its own. She was dearly beloved by her public and by all who knew her. By the end of the book we feel we know the soul of Margaret Rutherford.
September 9, 2022
A thorough biography of one of our best loved actresses. I had no idea Margaret Rutherford came from such tragic circumstances and I really enjoyed getting to know more about her from this book. It's very well-researched, no question about that, and I liked that the various quotations and biographers were credited within the body of the piece.
There were, however, rather a lot of typographical errors - one particularly glaring one was where John Gielgud's name was spelt (correctly) Gielgud and then, in the very next sentence, 'Girlegud'. There was also a pretty basic mathematical error early on, where Miss Rutherford was declared to be 33 when even my maths could calculate she was 29.
Still, there's a lot of love in this book and that more the compensates for the errors.
There were, however, rather a lot of typographical errors - one particularly glaring one was where John Gielgud's name was spelt (correctly) Gielgud and then, in the very next sentence, 'Girlegud'. There was also a pretty basic mathematical error early on, where Miss Rutherford was declared to be 33 when even my maths could calculate she was 29.
Still, there's a lot of love in this book and that more the compensates for the errors.
February 16, 2021
Enjoyable romp through the life of Dame Margaret Rutherford. A workmanlike account, but quite a few typos in the text, which were distracting.
It was good to find out about Rutherford's range and various roles beyond her most well known, but least realistic portrayal of Miss Marple in the 1960s. She had a prolific and fairly varied career, although mostly confined to comedic type roles.
There was the odd frustration though, for example barely a mention of Rutherford's relationship with her long time agent, Dorothy Mather, who I would assume must have been in possession of numerous bits of archive material.
Overall though, a good, solid biography.
© Koplowitz 2021
It was good to find out about Rutherford's range and various roles beyond her most well known, but least realistic portrayal of Miss Marple in the 1960s. She had a prolific and fairly varied career, although mostly confined to comedic type roles.
There was the odd frustration though, for example barely a mention of Rutherford's relationship with her long time agent, Dorothy Mather, who I would assume must have been in possession of numerous bits of archive material.
Overall though, a good, solid biography.
© Koplowitz 2021
May 2, 2020
A touching account of a woman who inspired love and affection in many, not just for her acting but also for her kindness. It is also a life of struggle and sadness, which Margaret Rutherford tried to keep hidden from public knowledge. A love story on several levels, but a tragedy also.
June 20, 2022
Skipped a lot of it tbh. Very dry. Lots references to old plays/radio and theatre work with lots references to people haven’t heard of. Possibly expecting too much but was actually more interested more in her personal life
July 11, 2022
A gibbety wobbling good read. The best balance for a biography, consisting of essential info and entertaining stories and anecdotes peppered throughout. A fascinating life, and written from an objective, yet passionate standpoint. Makes it all much more trustworthy.
February 28, 2025
Pretty poor as a biography. More like a history of plays and movies. Very dull and uninspiring. I love Margaret and I didn’t feel like this author does. Constantly having a go at her looks and various other negatives. Very disappointing.
June 22, 2017
Excellent book
Looked for this book for sometime and its definitely worth the wait. Once you pick it up you can stop
Looked for this book for sometime and its definitely worth the wait. Once you pick it up you can stop
October 16, 2020
A very enjoyable book about a great actress. She had quite a tragic family history. Well written and full of interesting facts.
January 13, 2023
She was a very funny lady with a very tragic beginning. Its a shame she carried so much baggage from her childhood.
December 10, 2025
excellent
January 17, 2026
I adore this actress, so it was with great joy that I read this book.
What a unique lady she was, after reading this I warmed to her even more.
For fans of this dear soul it is unputdownable.
What a unique lady she was, after reading this I warmed to her even more.
For fans of this dear soul it is unputdownable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2021
What can I say. Very interesting insight to the world of Margaret Rutherford. From her early life through to her acting and stage roles. Some interesting facts and stories along with her film and stage and radio roles. I always enjoyed her as Miss Marple . Her film roles always top notch acting. Would have liked to see her on stage. Interesting to read about her husband Stringer Davis who was also in films with her and a loyal husband. Well written book and I enjoyed the journey my favourite actress.
July 14, 2014
An accountant - albeit one with a love for Margaret Rutherford - has written this book. I do not need to know the name of every servant and their pets that Ms Rutherford visited. Far too wordy and overloaded with useless information, but severly lacking in interest.
Mr Merriman quotes endless programmes and critiques (it looks as if even with plays or films that were not a success he ends his review of write ups with the one positive line he can find - usually about Ms Rutherford). He goes so far that in Charly Chaplin's "A Countess of Hongkong" he describes Ms Rutherford's rather short appearance as the only saving grace in the movie: "and the whole thing is only enlivened by Rutherford's cameo" - a preposterous sentiment. I could go on about his (mis)interpretation of the actress' which only serves to conform to his image of her. He is not doing her a favour with this.
Mr Merriman quotes endless programmes and critiques (it looks as if even with plays or films that were not a success he ends his review of write ups with the one positive line he can find - usually about Ms Rutherford). He goes so far that in Charly Chaplin's "A Countess of Hongkong" he describes Ms Rutherford's rather short appearance as the only saving grace in the movie: "and the whole thing is only enlivened by Rutherford's cameo" - a preposterous sentiment. I could go on about his (mis)interpretation of the actress' which only serves to conform to his image of her. He is not doing her a favour with this.
August 25, 2015
I see that I began this biography back in September 2013 having chanced across a copy in the library. The library book eventually got returned unfinished but thanks to discovering an ebook version I have finally finished reading Margaret Rutherford's biography which proves her life to have been almost as eccentric as the characters she revelled in. thank goodness for you tube, which makes it possible to revisit some of her great cameo performances. Still, her extraordinary talent aside, the thing that stays with me most is her determination to be herself, to not allow the shadow of the past and the ever present threat of mental illness to defeat her. Having read this biography I find that I am wanting to revisit her films so I can fully appreciate her achievements.
July 19, 2012
A very absorbing book.
I grew up in the 60s and 70s and matronly ladies like Margaret Rutherford, Peggy Mount, and Hattie Jacques were what I looked upon as figures of authority. To the youth of today, this kind of imposing female figure has, largely, disappeared, which is quite sad.
Margaret Rutherford's life was far from straightforward. However, it was not really her own life that was the problem, it was her ancestors that left her with a lot to deal with. Sometimes she managed, at others, she struggled. Nevertheless, she contributed to the world of entertainment and left a legacy of memorable performances for future generations to enjoy.
I grew up in the 60s and 70s and matronly ladies like Margaret Rutherford, Peggy Mount, and Hattie Jacques were what I looked upon as figures of authority. To the youth of today, this kind of imposing female figure has, largely, disappeared, which is quite sad.
Margaret Rutherford's life was far from straightforward. However, it was not really her own life that was the problem, it was her ancestors that left her with a lot to deal with. Sometimes she managed, at others, she struggled. Nevertheless, she contributed to the world of entertainment and left a legacy of memorable performances for future generations to enjoy.
April 24, 2014
Chatty, immersive, and totally entertaining, this biography made me want to watch ALL of Margaret Rutherford's films! I did wince occasionally, though, at some of the more malicious observations made by the biographer.
March 14, 2014
A compassionate biography of a much-loved actress.
July 19, 2014
Not widely known these days, Margaret Rutherford was a great actress. This biography serves to inform and amuse and is strangely sad at the end, even when the ending happens to all of us.
November 2, 2014
An informative book, but sometimes rather slow-paced.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews