Kay Hammond Explained

Kay Hammond
Birth Name:Dorothy Katherine Standing
Birth Date:18 February 1909
Birth Place:London, England
Death Place:Brighton, East Sussex, England
Alma Mater:Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Occupation:Actress
Years Active:1927 - 1961
Spouse:Sir Ronald Leon 3rd Bt (m.1932 - div.1946)
Sir John Clements (m.1946)
Children:2, including John Standing
Relatives:Joan Standing (cousin)
Wyndham Standing (uncle)
Jack Standing (uncle)
Percy Standing (uncle)
Herbert Standing (grandfather)
Parents:Guy Standing
Dorothy Hammond

Dorothy Katherine Standing, Lady Clements (18 February 1909 – 4 May 1980), known professionally as Kay Hammond, was an English stage and film actress.

Family

Kay Hammond was born in London, England as Dorothy Katherine Standing, the daughter of Sir Guy Standing and his wife, Dorothy Hammond (Dorothy Plaskitt).[1] Her grandfather was Herbert Standing (1846–1923) and her uncles were Wyndham, Jack, and Percy Darrell Standing.[2] [3]

Career

She studied at RADA and first appeared on the London stage in 1927.[4] Her most famous role was that of Elvira in Noël Coward's Blithe Spirit, which she played in the original stage production. She reprised her role in the 1945 film version opposite Rex Harrison, Margaret Rutherford and Constance Cummings.

She appeared as a guest of Roy Plomley on Desert Island Discs on 25 February 1951.[5]

Personal life

Hammond's first husband was baronet Sir Ronald George Leon.[6] Their sons were John Ronald Leon (the actor John Standing) and Timothy George Leon. Her second husband was the stage actor Sir John Clements.

Death

Kay Hammond died in Brighton, aged 71, from undisclosed causes, on 4 May 1980.[7] She was cremated and her ashes scattered in the memorial garden at Downs Crematorium, Brighton, East Sussex

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1930Children of Chance Joyce
1931Fascination Kay
A Night in Montmartre Margot
Almost a Divorce Maisie
Carnival Helen
Out of the Blue Angela Tucker
1932The Third String Hebe Tucker
A Night Like This Mimi - Cocktail Shaker uncredited
Nine till Six Beatrice
Money Means Nothing Angel
Sally Bishop Janet Hallard
1933Yes, Madam Pansy Beresford
Bitter Sweet Gussi
Sleeping Car Simone
Britannia of Billingsgate Pearl Bolton
The Umbrella Mabel
1934Bypass to Happiness Dinah
1936Two on a Doorstep Jill Day
1941Jeannie Margaret
1945Blithe Spirit Elvira Condomine
1949Call of the Blood Dr. Anne Lester
1953Henry V Princess Katherine TV movie
1961Five Golden Hours Martha final film role

Selected stage credits

References

  1. https://www.kent.ac.uk/library/specialcollections/theatre/r.php/30054/show.html University of Kent: Theatre collections
  2. News: SIR GUY STANDING, 63, ENGLISH ACTOR, DIES: Veteran Star of Stage and Screen Drops Dead in Hollywood. 25 February 1937. The Atlanta Constitution. 45. Sir Guy was the eldest son of Herbert Standing, member of a leading English theatrical family. Three other sons also became actors—Wyndham, Darrell [sic] and Jack Standing.. .
  3. https://www.newspapers.com/image/938289628/?clipping_id=139487345 "Unusual Modesty"
  4. Morley, Sheridan (1986). The Great Stage Stars : Distinguished Theatrical Careers of the Past and Present. New York: Facts on File Publications. p. 155. .
  5. Web site: Desert Island Discs . BBC Radio 4 . BBC . 6 July 2020 . 28 February 1951.
  6. News: TIMES . Wireless to THE NEW YORK . 1932-11-10 . KAY HAMMOND MARRIED.; Actress, Daughter of Sir Guy Standing, Wed to Ronald Leon. . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-07-22 . 0362-4331.
  7. Book: Wilson, Scott. Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed.. 2016. McFarland. 978-1-4766-2599-7. 313.

External links