Joan Miller (actress)

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Joan Miller at the switchboard in the early television magazine programme Picture Page in 1937 Joan Miller.png
Joan Miller at the switchboard in the early television magazine programme Picture Page in 1937

Joan Miller (18 February 1910 - 31 August 1988) in Nelson, British Columbia, Canada was an actress. She moved to London, UK in 1931 to pursue a career in acting.

Contents

Miller was the face of Picture Page , a topical magazine programme that began on the nascent BBC television service in 1936, broadcast from Alexandra Palace. In the programme Miller played the part of a switchboard operator "connecting" viewers to the show's guests; "introducing visitors, types and personalities". Before each interview Miller, sitting at a telephone switchboard, would introduce each guest. [1] The programme was popular amongst early television viewers. [2] However, the mock switchboard's homespun look was found to be irksome by the Television and Short-Wave World magazine. [3] Miller got the job on the strength of her having been a trainer of switchboard operators in Vancouver. [4]

In addition to her role on Picture Page, Miller's versatility was often called upon to act in various BBC plays and TV movies. On 6 December 1937 Miller played the role of May in a 90-minute televised play called Once in a Lifetime, a satire on the effect of talking pictures on the entertainment industry. [5] She also played the role of Cleopatra in a skit "You Can't Take Your Needle With You, Cleo!" for a BBC comedy show. [6]

When interviewed for the 18 January 1938 edition of the News Chronicle about the differences between the broadcasting of television and radio plays she said, "Unlike radio plays, you have to learn your part by heart, often at short notice. It is almost impossible to get a prompt, a prompt being horribly audible." A radio play being less arduous as the players require no costumes and the players read their lines directly from scripts. [7]

Having played the part of the switchboard girl in 106 episodes in the space of 34 months, Miller's role ended when the BBC television service ceased broadcasting for the duration of the Second World War on 1 September 1939.

In addition to her film and TV roles, Miller was a theatre and radio actress too. She was the winner of the Bessborough Trophy for Best Canadian Actress in 1934.

Personal life

Miller married Peter Cotes (brother of film makers John and Roy Boulting) in 1948. Peter was an actor, producer and director. Miller died on 31 August 1988 in Oxford, UK. She had suffered from a painful illness for most of her life. Miller had supported many causes and was vice-president of the animal welfare group Beauty Without Cruelty. [8]

Acting credits

Only where credited.

YearTitleRoleNotes
1936The TigerLouise MichelTV movie
1937 Take It From Me Secretary
1937 The Happy Journey to Trenton and Camden Mrs KirbyTV movie
1937 Once in a Lifetime May DanielsTV movie
1938Ah Wilderness!BelleTV movie
1938 On the Spot Maria Pouliski
1938 Telecrime SadieTV series - 1 episode
1938Whistling in the DarkToby Van BurenTV movie
1936-39 Picture Page The Switchboard GirlTV series - 106 episodes
1947 Rosmersholm Rebecca WestTV movie
1947 The Woman in the Hall Susan
1949 Criss Cross "The Lush"
1950ForgeryMrs Clara Evans
1950 Fireside Theatre ShirleyTV series - 1 episode
1952 BBC Sunday-Night Theatre Momma BrodskyTV series - 1 episode
1950 The Unexpected TV series - 1 episode
1976The Birth of TelevisionSelf

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References

  1. ↑ "Picture Page". YouTube. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  2. ↑ Hunt, KP (January 1937). "Studio & Screen" (PDF). Television and Short-Wave World. 10 (107): 29 – via World Radio History.
  3. ↑ Corbishley, H (February 1937). "Scannings and Reflections" (PDF). Television and Short-Wave World. 10 (108): 73 – via World Radio History.
  4. ↑ Fisk, Alan (28 December 1986). ""'Hello girl' flickered on first BBC screen"". Times Colonist. p. 23.
  5. ↑ Corbishley, H (December 1937). "Scannings and Reflections" (PDF). Television and Short-Wave World. 10 (118): 724 – via World Radio History.
  6. ↑ Corbishley, H (April 1938). "Scannings and Reflections" (PDF). Television and Short-Wave World. 11 (122): 215 – via World Radio History.
  7. ↑ Corbishley, H (March 1938). "Scannings and Reflections" (PDF). Television and Short-Wave World. 11 (121): 155 – via World Radio History.
  8. ↑ McIlroy, William (November 1987). "Joan Miller: A Great Actress and Freethinker". The Free Thinker. 107 (11): 160 – via Google Books.
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