Jean Hatton

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Jean Hatton (born 1922) was an Australian singer and actor who was under contract to Cinesound Productions in the 1930s. She was discovered in a Deanna Durbin talent quest and cast as Cecil Kellaway's daughter in Mr. Chedworth Steps Out (1939), singing several songs. She was subsequently cast in Come Up Smiling (1939). [1] During filming she fell down two flights of stairs and was injured, causing filming to be delayed, but she recovered. [2] She later performed in concerts and radio and was generally advertised as "Australia's Deanna Durbin". [3]

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She appeared in the 1940 radio serial Sweetheart of the Regiment . [4]

Hatton later married Keith White, and resided in Turramurra, New South Wales. Together they had two sons. In April 1971, it was reported that Hatton was retired from show business and "a happy middle-aged woman". [5]

In May 1987, Hatton was interviewed and spoke of her distaste in being dubbed "Australia's Deanna Durbin", stating "It upset me greatly: it always has done and it always will". [6]

Filmography

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References

  1. 'Contract For Jean Hatton', The Courier-Mail (Brisbane), Thursday 15 June 1939 p 12
  2. 'JEAN HATTON INJURED. Accident in Film Studios', The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 1 July 1939 p 10
  3. 'CINESOUND STARLET', The Courier-Mail (Brisbane), Thursday 9 November 1939 p 16
  4. "BROADCASTING". The Sydney Morning Herald . No. 31, 858. New South Wales, Australia. 7 February 1940. p. 8. Retrieved 3 June 2024 via National Library of Australia.
  5. "It's a Happening World". Sydney, New South Wales: The Sydney Morning Herald. 18 April 1971. p. 115. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  6. "Limelight for our old-time heroines". Sydney, New South Wales: The Sydney Morning Herald. 4 May 1987. p. 61. Retrieved 4 March 2023.