Muriel George (29 August 1883 – 22 October 1965)England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995.

Principal Probate Registry. Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England. London, England © Crown copyright.1939 Register; Reference: RG 101/7706B

1939 England and Wales Register

Crown copyright images reproduced by courtesy of TNA, London England. 1939 Register (Series RG101), The National Archives, Kew, London, England. was an English singer and film actress. She appeared in 55 films between 1932 and 1955. George also appeared on the variety stage and sang on radio with her second husband, Ernest Butcher, for thirty years.

Early life and career Muriel Winifred George was born on the 29 August 1883 in Marylebone, London, England. Her father, Robert, was a professor of singing at the Royal Academy of Music and her mother, Annie Isabel Matilde (née Robinson), was an ex pupil of her husband and a singing teacher in her own right.Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives of the UK (TNA) Series RG14, 1911. The family moved to Albany Street, Regent's Park, on the birth of George's brother, Lionel Hugh.Census Returns of England and Wales, 1891. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives of the UK (TNA): Public Record Office (PRO), 1891. At the age of 10, the family moved to West Kensington. George attended a private school in Holland Road. At the age of twelve, she appeared on stage at the Devonshire Park, Eastbourne.

She made her West End stage debut, at the age of 16, in Harry Pelissier's pierrot troupe, The Follies at The Palace, Shaftesbury Avenue, London before joining Arthur Davenport's pierrot troupe, The Yashmaks, a year later. George then toured with The Ragamuffins for a year.

George subsequently performed at the Apollo Theatre in 1911.

In 1912, George appeared in the first English version of Die Fledermaus at the Lyric Theatre.

George appeared on the variety stage with her second husband Ernest Butcher. At the turn of the First World War, George, along with Butcher, formed The Bunch of Keys concert party. After the war, they made radio appearances and played comedy parts in straight plays.

George's last role was playing the queen mother in a 1953 adaptation of the Rose and the Ring.

Personal life George married Robert William (known as 'Robin' or 'Arthur') Davenport, an author and lyricist in 1903. The couple lived in Fulham, west London and, on 10 May 1908, had a son, the critic John Davenport.The New Review, vol. 3, issue 31, 1976, p. 69 However, George petitioned Davenport for divorce in July 1909 and Davenport did not meet his son until John was 16 years old.Court for Divorce and Matrimonial Causes, later Supreme Court of Judicature: Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Files, J 77; Reference Number: J 77/980/9758; Series Number: J 77; Piece Number: 980. England & Wales, Civil Divorce Records, 1858-1918

George married actor Ernest Butcher in 1921 in Fulham, west London. By 1939, the couple were living in Torrington Park, North Finchley. However, in 1943, the marriage ended in divorce.

George's hobbies included gardening and antiques, and she latterly lived in Worthing, West Sussex. George wrote an unpublished autobiography between 1941 and 1957.

George died on 22 October 1965, aged 82, at the Sussex Eye Hospital in Brighton, Sussex.

Selected filmography

His Lordship (1932) – Mrs. Emma Gibbs Yes, Mr Brown (1933) – Cook Cleaning Up (1933) – Mrs. Hoggenheim Something Always Happens (1934) – Mrs. Badger My Song for You (1934) – Mrs. Newberg Nell Gwyn (1934) – Meg Key to Harmony (1935) – Mrs. Meynell Old Faithful (1935) – Martha Brown Whom the Gods Love (1936) – Frau Weber Not So Dusty (1936) – Mrs. Clark The Happy Family (1936) – Housekeeper The Song of the Road (1937) – Mrs. Trelawney Busman's Holiday (1936) – Mrs. Green Merry Comes to Town (1937) – Cook Limelight (1937) – Mrs. Kaye Who's Your Lady Friend? (1937) – Mrs. Somers Talking Feet (1937) – Mrs. Gumley Doctor Syn (1937) – Mrs. Waggetts, Pub Owner Lancashire Luck (1937) – Mrs. Lovejoy A Sister to Assist 'Er (1938) – Mrs. May / Mrs. le Browning Darts Are Trumps (1938) – Mrs. Drake Weddings Are Wonderful (1938) – Betty's maid Crackerjack (1938) – Mrs. Humbold 21 Days (1940) – Ma (uncredited) Pack Up Your Troubles (1940) – Mrs. Perkins The Briggs Family (1940) – Mrs. Brokenshaw Freedom Radio (1941) – Hanna You Will Remember (1941) – Manchester Landlady (uncredited) Love on the Dole (1941) – Landlady (uncredited) Quiet Wedding (1941) – The Cook (uncredited) Cottage to Let (1941) – Mrs. Trimm South American George (1941) – Auntie (uncredited) Rush Hour (1941, Short) – Violet (uncredited) Mr. Proudfoot Shows a Light (1941, Short) – Mrs. Proudfoot They Flew Alone (1942) – Kitty, the Housekeeper Unpublished Story (1942) – Landlady Alibi (1942) – Mme. Bretonnet The Young Mr. Pitt (1942) – Mrs. Carr (uncredited) Went the Day Well? (1942) – Mrs. Collins The Bells Go Down (1943) – Ma Robbins Dear Octopus (1943) – Cook Schweik's New Adventures (1943) – Mrs. Millerova Kiss the Bride Goodbye (1945) – Mrs. Fowler A Place of One's Own (1945) – Nurse For You Alone (1945) – Mrs. Johns I'll Be Your Sweetheart (1945) – Mrs. Le Brunn Perfect Strangers (1945) – Minnie Jassy (1947) – Court Matron (uncredited) When the Bough Breaks (1947) – 1st Landlady A Sister to Assist 'Er (1948) – Gladys May Bond Street (1948) – Maid (uncredited) Last Holiday (1950) – Lady Oswington The Dancing Years (1950) – Hatti Encore (1951) – Mrs. Robinson (uncredited) The Triangle (1953) – Martha Popple (segment "Priceless Pocket") Simon and Laura (1955) – Grandma (final film role)

References

External links

Muriel George's memoirs