Gwen Munro
Encyclopedia
Gwen Munro was an Australian actor best known for playing the female lead in Orphan of the Wilderness
(1936).
, Melbourne
and was partly educated in Switzerland and a finishing school
in Paris. On returning to Australia she entered a beauty contest being held by Paramount and won. The prize included a small part in the Hollywood film, Search for Beauty
(1934). While in Los Angeles Munro also played the lead role in a production at the Pasadena Playhouse
of Dear Bill by Australian writer Jim Warwick.
Munro returned to Australia, where she performed on stage in The Wind and the Rain for J.C. Williamson Ltd. She then received an offer to make Orphan of the Wilderness
for Ken G. Hall
at Cinesound Productions
. Her beauty and background caused her appearance in the film to be much publicised in the local media. Munro fell ill during shooting, helping cause the production to fall four days behind schedule. Nonetheless, director Ken G. Hall was pleased with her performance and used her again in Let George Do It
(1938). In between these films she also appeared in Typhoon Treasure
(1938) for director Noel Monkman
, which was shot on location in North Queensland.
Munro married in 1939 after which she appears to have retired.
Orphan of the Wilderness
Orphan of the Wilderness is a 1936 Australian feature film from director Ken G. Hall about the adventures of a boxing kangaroo. The film was banned in England because it depicted cruely to animals. It starred Brian Abbot who disappeared at sea not long after filming completed.-External links:* in...
(1936).
Biography
Munro grew up in privileged circumstances in ToorakToorak, Victoria
Toorak is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 5 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district located on a rise on the south side of a bend in the Yarra River. Its Local Government Area is the City of Stonnington...
, Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
and was partly educated in Switzerland and a finishing school
Finishing school
A finishing school is "a private school for girls that emphasises training in cultural and social activities." The name reflects that it follows on from ordinary school and is intended to complete the educational experience, with classes primarily on etiquette...
in Paris. On returning to Australia she entered a beauty contest being held by Paramount and won. The prize included a small part in the Hollywood film, Search for Beauty
Search for Beauty
Search for Beauty is a 1934 Pre-Code film directed by Erle C. Kenton and starring Buster Crabbe and Ida Lupino. They play a pair of champion Olympic swimmers who become the face of a health magazine, which over their objections is turned into a "skin" rag....
(1934). While in Los Angeles Munro also played the lead role in a production at the Pasadena Playhouse
Pasadena Playhouse
The Pasadena Playhouse is a historic performing arts venue located 39 S El Molino Avenue in Pasadena, California. The 686-seat auditorium produces a variety of cultural and artistic events, professional shows, and community engagements each year.-History:...
of Dear Bill by Australian writer Jim Warwick.
Munro returned to Australia, where she performed on stage in The Wind and the Rain for J.C. Williamson Ltd. She then received an offer to make Orphan of the Wilderness
Orphan of the Wilderness
Orphan of the Wilderness is a 1936 Australian feature film from director Ken G. Hall about the adventures of a boxing kangaroo. The film was banned in England because it depicted cruely to animals. It starred Brian Abbot who disappeared at sea not long after filming completed.-External links:* in...
for Ken G. Hall
Ken G. Hall
Kenneth George Hall, AO OBE , better known as Ken G. Hall, was an Australian film director, considered one of the most important figures in the history of the Australian film industry.-Early years:...
at Cinesound Productions
Cinesound Productions
Cinesound Productions Pty Ltd was one of Australia's first feature film production companies. Established in June 1932, Cinesound developed out of a group of companies centred around Greater Union Theatres, that covered all facets of the film process, from production, to distribution and...
. Her beauty and background caused her appearance in the film to be much publicised in the local media. Munro fell ill during shooting, helping cause the production to fall four days behind schedule. Nonetheless, director Ken G. Hall was pleased with her performance and used her again in Let George Do It
Let George Do It (1938 film)
Let George Do It is a 1938 comedy starring popular stage comedian George Wallace. It was the first of two films Wallace made for Ken G. Hall at Cinesound Productions, the other one being Gone to the Dogs...
(1938). In between these films she also appeared in Typhoon Treasure
Typhoon Treasure
Typhoon Treasure is a 1938 Australian adventure film directed by Noel Monkman set in New Guinea although shot on the Great Barrier Reef and the Queensland coast...
(1938) for director Noel Monkman
Noel Monkman
Noel Monkman was an Australian filmmaker best known for specialising in underwater photography. He established Australian Educational Films with F.W. Thring, directing a series of educational nature films about the Great Barrier Reef. He later made several documentaries as well as two dramatic...
, which was shot on location in North Queensland.
Munro married in 1939 after which she appears to have retired.
Filmography
- Search for BeautySearch for BeautySearch for Beauty is a 1934 Pre-Code film directed by Erle C. Kenton and starring Buster Crabbe and Ida Lupino. They play a pair of champion Olympic swimmers who become the face of a health magazine, which over their objections is turned into a "skin" rag....
(1934) - Orphan of the WildernessOrphan of the WildernessOrphan of the Wilderness is a 1936 Australian feature film from director Ken G. Hall about the adventures of a boxing kangaroo. The film was banned in England because it depicted cruely to animals. It starred Brian Abbot who disappeared at sea not long after filming completed.-External links:* in...
(1936) - Let George Do ItLet George Do It (1938 film)Let George Do It is a 1938 comedy starring popular stage comedian George Wallace. It was the first of two films Wallace made for Ken G. Hall at Cinesound Productions, the other one being Gone to the Dogs...
(1938) - Typhoon TreasureTyphoon TreasureTyphoon Treasure is a 1938 Australian adventure film directed by Noel Monkman set in New Guinea although shot on the Great Barrier Reef and the Queensland coast...
(1938)
External links
(misspelt as "Monroe")- Gwen Munro at National Film and Sound ArchiveNational Film and Sound ArchiveThe National Film and Sound Archive is Australia’s audiovisual archive, responsible for developing, preserving, maintaining, promoting and providing access to a national collection of audiovisual materials and related items...