GERTRUDE LAWRENCE

Gertrude Lawrence was a legendary stage star from the 1920s to the 1950s, who appeared in just nine movies during her illustrious career. She was great friend with Noel Coward, and worked on productions together. She was the reason the musical adaptation of "Anna and the King of Siam" occurred (as "The King and I"). She bought the rights to the non-musical movie, and she persuaded Rodgers & Hammerstein to adapt it into a musical, on the condition that she starred in it. She appeared in the play for a year and a half, being billed above the title. Unfortunately, in 1952, after the play had run for a year and a half, she was diagnosed with cancer, and passed away at the age of 54. Before she died, she had Yul Brynner's name placed above the title alongside hers, so that he would have that billing after she passed away! In 1968, a biography of her life was filmed, called "Star!", with Julie Andrews playing Lawrence.