Eily Malyon (born Eily Sophie Lees-Craston; 30 October 1879 – 26 September 1961) was an English character actress from about 1900 to the 1940s. She had a stage career in Britain, Australia and America before moving to Hollywood to perform in motion pictures.

Eily Malyon
Malyon in The Little Princess (1939)
Born
Eily Sophie Lees Craston

(1879-10-30)30 October 1879
London, England
Died26 September 1961(1961-09-26) (aged 81)
Other namesEily Craston
OccupationCharacter actress
Years active1930s–1940s
Spouse
Joshua Plumpton Wilson
(m. 1911; div. 1922)

Biography

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Malyon was born in the London district of Islington in 1879, the daughter of Harry Craston, a master boot and lawn tennis shoe manufacturer, and his wife. Her parents divorced in 1882, and she accompanied her mother, the actress Agnes Thomas, touring the world. Consequently she received much of her education in convent schools in Belgium, England and America. She so enjoyed her stay at the Ursuline convents near Liège and Visé that she resolved to become a nun,[1] but changed her mind after experience as understudy to her mother at Drury Lane.

She gained further experience in repertory with the Stage Society in London.[2] She spent some time in Australia, initially as a member of Ethel Irving's company, brought to Melbourne in 1911 by J. C. Williamson to play The Witness for the Defence,[3] then played for Williamson in an English comedy company touring Milestones, in the role of Rose Sibley.[4]

She played in repertory and at the Little Theatre for Frederick Ward in Sydney 1915–1916[5] and for Gregan McMahon in Melbourne 1916–1918.[6] She left Australia for a career on the American stage in September 1925.[7]

Personal life

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Malyon married Joshua Plumpton Wilson in Melbourne, Australia, on 9 December 1911. They divorced in May 1922.[8]

Partial filmography

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References

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  1. ^ "Nearly a Nun". The Sun (Sydney). No. 678. New South Wales, Australia. March 26, 1916. p. 18. Retrieved October 19, 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ "Miss Eily Malyon". Melbourne Punch. Vol. CXXIV, no. 3178. Victoria, Australia. June 22, 1916. p. 37. Retrieved October 19, 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "General Gossip". The Referee. No. 1292. New South Wales, Australia. August 9, 1911. p. 16. Retrieved October 19, 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "Advertising". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 23, 374. New South Wales, Australia. December 10, 1912. p. 2. Retrieved October 19, 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "In the Limelight". The Mirror of Australia. No. 35. New South Wales, Australia. March 18, 1916. p. 13. Retrieved October 19, 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "For the Red Cross". The Australasian. Vol. CIV, no. 2, 721. Victoria, Australia. May 25, 1918. p. 36. Retrieved October 19, 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "Dramatic Notes". The Australasian. Vol. CXIX, no. 4, 001. Victoria, Australia. September 5, 1925. p. 49. Retrieved October 19, 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "Theatrical Divorce Suit". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 23, 633. Victoria, Australia. May 4, 1922. p. 5. Retrieved October 19, 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
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