Gwen Munro

Gwen Munro (born 1915) was an Australian actor best known for playing the female lead in Orphan of the Wilderness (1936).

Biography

Munro grew up in privileged circumstances in Toorak, Melbourne and was partly educated in Switzerland and a finishing school in Paris.[1] 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.[2]

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.[3] Munro fell ill during shooting, helping cause the production to fall four days behind schedule.[4] Nonetheless, director Ken G. Hall was pleased with her performance[5] 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[6] after which she appears to have retired.

Filmography

References
  1. GWEN MUNRO'S TRIP TO HOLLAND', Western Mail (Perth)', Thursday 25 June 1936, p27
  2. 'LIVING DANGEROUSLY, Lovely Gwen Munro', Western Mail (Perth), Thursday 26 May 1938 p 30
  3. 'Gwen Munro Made Most of Her Chance' The Australian Women's Weekly, Saturday 9 May 1936 p32.
  4. 'MISS GWEN MUNRO'S ILLNESS', The Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 16 June 1936, p3.
  5. Ken G. Hall, Directed by Ken G Hall, Lansdowne Press, 1977 p 109.
  6. "Wedding Of Gwen Munro" The Mail (Adelaide) Saturday 22 April 1939


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