Binnie Barnes

Gertrude Maud "Binnie" Barnes (25 March 1903 – 27 July 1998) was an English actress whose career in films spanned 50 years, from 1923 to 1973.

Life and career

Barnes was born in Islington, London, the daughter of Rosa Enoyce and George Barnes, a policeman. Before moving to Hollywood to become an actress, Barnes worked a series of jobs, such as chorus girl, nurse, and dance hostess.

She began her acting career in films in 1923, appearing in a short film made by Lee De Forest in his Phonofilm sound-on-film process. Her film career continued in Great Britain, most notably in The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933) as Katherine Howard, Henry's fifth wife. Barnes' main qualm in accepting roles as an actress was that she not play submissive roles. Barnes once remarked "One picture is just like another to me, as long as I don't have to be a sweet woman". Later, her career continued in Hollywood, until 1973, when she appeared in the comedy 40 Carats, her last acting role.

Marriage

She was married, secondly, to film producer Mike Frankovich, and later a naturalized United States citizen. The couple adopted three children.

Death

Binnie Barnes died in 1998 of natural causes, aged 95, in Beverly Hills, California. She was survived by her three children, including production manager, Mike Frankovich, Jr., and producer Peter Frankovich. She was interred in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale.

Filmography