Patricia Dainton, a fair-haired and slender Scottish-born actress, was born Margaret Bryden Pate. She began dancing at the age of eight and learned ballet just two years later. Patricia was trained at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts and further developed her skills at the Cone School of Dancing, where she received scholarships.
Patricia made her stage debut in Stratford-upon-Avon and went on to appear in various London-based theatrical productions, including Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Glass Slipper, Watch on the Rhine, and Quiet Wedding. She was hand-picked by John Gielgud to play the part of the fairy Peaseblossom at London's Theatre Royal in 1944.
Patricia made her screen debut in 1947 and was cast in several uncredited roles before being groomed by the J. Arthur Rank Charm School. Although she was dropped from the Rank roster, she quickly found a new contract with Associated British and her career began to flourish.
She was given her first leading role in the operatic musical The Dancing Years (1950),filmed in Technicolor and co-written by Ivor Novello. Patricia then acted in a string of crime dramas, including Bombay Waterfront (1952),Tread Softly (1952),Operation Diplomat (1953),No Road Back (1957),Witness in the Dark (1959),and The Third Alibi (1961).
Patricia also had the distinction of starring in Britain's first daytime soap opera, Sixpenny Corner (1955),as one of a couple of newlyweds. Unfortunately, all 186 episodes of the series appear to have been lost.
Patricia Dainton retired from acting in 1961 and devoted herself to family life. She was married to the Welsh-born producer and actor Norman Williams for 58 years and had four children with him. She also had a twin brother, George Bryden, who primarily acted on stage and predeceased her in 2011.
