British stage and film actress Elizabeth Allan was born in Skegness, Lincolnshire, and began her stage career at the tender age of 17. Four years later, she made her movie debut in the Hercule Poirot mystery Alibi, released in 1931.
In the early stages of her career, Allan primarily appeared in films produced by Julius Hagen's Twickenham Studios, but later signed a contract with the renowned Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The year 1935 proved to be a significant one for the actress, as she took on roles in two Charles Dickens adaptations, David Copperfield and A Tale of Two Cities, as well as the star-studded horror film Mark of the Vampire.
However, Allan's relationship with MGM began to deteriorate after they announced her for a leading part in The Citadel, only to replace her with Rosalind Russell. This was followed by another instance where she was replaced by Greer Garson in Goodbye, Mr. Chips, which ultimately led to Allan successfully suing the studio and terminating her contract with them.
By the 1950s, Allan had transitioned to taking on character roles in films, including No Highway in the Sky, The Heart of the Matter, and The Haunted Strangler, which marked her final film appearance. Additionally, she became a panelist on the UK version of the popular game show What's My Line, earning her the title of Great Britain's Top Female TV Personality in 1952.
In her personal life, Allan was married to agent Wilfred O'Bryen from 1932 until his passing in 1977. She passed away on July 27, 1990, at the age of 80, leaving behind a legacy as a talented and versatile actress in the world of British cinema.
