Number 4 - Damaris Hayman
Today on "Life After Doctor Who", we examine the career of a sweet old lady who I had the pleasure of meeting only last year - so this edition has been personally verified! Yes, Damaris is still alive and, in true White Witch fashion, hasn't actually changed at all since 1972 when she "cast the ruins" on Jon Pertwee and engaged in rope antics with Sergeant Benton! She might be alive, but what of her career? Let's take a look!
Career Resume (film):
Memento Mori (1992) (TV) .... Miss Lottinville
Death of a Heart, The (1985) (TV) .... Miss Paullie
Missionary, The (1982) .... Lady Quimby
Full Circle (1978) .... Miss Pinner
Confessions of a Driving Instructor (1976) .... Tweedy Golfing Lady
Pink Panther Strikes Again, The (1976) .... Fiona
Man About the House (1974) .... Old Lady
Love Thy Neighbor (1973/I) .... Woman on Bus
Anoop and the Elephant (1972) .... Miss Flint
Mutiny On the Buses (1972) .... Mrs. Jenkins
"Ours Is a Nice House" (1969) TV Series .... Lottie Bottomley (1970)
Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965) .... Daphne
Smokescreen (1964) (uncredited) .... Mrs. Roper's nurse
West 11 (1963) (uncredited) .... Guide with school party
Ah dear old Damaris. She's never been short of a film role, bless her, aside from a particularly lean decade in the eighties when she only worked twice.
Her first ever role as "Guide" didn't offer too many worries, and she followed it up by playing "Mrs Ropers Nurse" and "Lottie Bottomley", not at all getting typecast playing little old dears. From here on it was all go, with starring roles as "Mrs Jenkins", "Old Lady" and, best of all, "Woman on Bus" cementing her wide and varied career. It was a life's work which peaked when she won an Oscar for playing "tweedy Golfing Lady". But it was not until forty years into her working life that Damaris realised she had never played a character with a normal first name. Except, of course, for our own good old Miss Olive Hawthorne... aka "Mad Psychic Lady".
The above also reveals that she had a little-known second guest role in our own Doctor Who, playing the character of "Miss Pinner", a little old dear who worked on the Starliner in "Full Circle", selling Marsh Fruit to the hungry Alzarians.
Career Resume (TV):
"One Foot in the Grave" (1990) playing "Receptionist" in episode: "Re-arranging the Dust" (episode # 5.4) 1/15/1995
"One Foot in the Grave" (1990) playing "Elderly Lady" in episode: "Dreamland" (episode # 3.2) 2/9/1992
"Filthy, Rich and Catflap" (1987) playing "lady"(episode # 1.3) 1/21/1987
"Young Ones, The" (1982) playing "woman on bicycle" in episode: "Nasty" (episode # 2.3) 5/29/1984
"Keep It In the Family" (1980) playing "Virginia Dreyfold" in episode: "And Not a Drop to Drink" (episode # 2.4) 9/22/1980
"Sweeney, The" (1975) playing "Mrs Cowley" in episode: "Golden Fleece" (episode # 2.7) 10/13/1975
"Doctor Who" (1963) playing "Miss Hawthorne" in episode: "Dæmons, The" (episode # 8.5) 5/22/1972
"Onedin Line, The" (1971) playing "Aunt Letisha"
Her amazing movie career is mirrored perfectly on television, with "Elderly Lady", "Lady" and, most stunningly, "woman on bicycle" being her most fondly remembered parts. Even today, when Doctor Who fans discuss the possible return of their favourite series, and debate rages over who will get the prestigious role of "Woman In Shop", Damaris' name is always mentioned.
At least in this case we can feel comfortable that Doctor Who didn't saddle a talented actress with a clichéd old stereotype... it's clear that poor Demaris was born with hers...
