Born: Dec 14, 1938 in Morecambe, Lancashire, England
Occupation: Actor
Active: '40s-'60s
Major Genres: Drama, Comedy
Career Highlights: School for Scoundrels, The Devil's Disciple, The Day of the Triffids
First Major Screen Credit: No Place for Jennifer (1950)
Biography
The daughter of character actress Thora Hird, Janette Scott began her film career at the age of 4 in Went the Day Well? (1942). Janette remained a popular if not particularly stellar child actress until her 1955 "coming of age" film Now and Forever. Occasionally allotted important parts in major films (Cassandra in 1956's Helen of Troy), (Judith in 1957's The Devil's Disciple), Janette is also remembered for her work in such medium-budget horror melodramas as Day of the Triffids (1962) Crack in the World (1965). Generally cast in sweet-natured roles, Janette served up a surprising characterization in the 1963 remake of The Old Dark House--especially surprising if one remembers the plot of the 1932 original. In her last film, Mission to Paradise (1965), Janette, gamely but with obvious discomfort, frolicked about in a makeshift bikini. She retired from the screen when she married singer Mel Torme, a union which lasted from 1966 to 1977. Janette Scott remains a fond memory for British males who grew to adulthood at the same time she did: film historian William K. Everson dedicated his 1979 book Love in the Film "to JANETTE SCOTT, the lovely young star of Now and Forever whose vibrant and touching performance in that fifties film is the epitome of what love and romance on the screen used to be." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Thora Janette Scott (born 14 December 1938) is an English actress. She was born in Morecambe, England. She is the daughter of actors Jimmy Scott and Thora Hird. She started her acting career as a child actress, known as Janette Scott, and became a popular leading lady. She wrote her autobiography at the age of 14. Her role in the film The Day of the Triffids is referenced in the opening song of The Rocky Horror Show ("Science Fiction/Double Feature") which made references to many B-movie sci-fi and horror films.