
Merle Oberon
ActingAbout Merle Oberon
Merle Oberon (born Estelle Merle O'Brien Thompson; 19 February 1911 – 23 November 1979) was a British actress of Anglo-Indian origin. Her career spanned from the 1920s to the 1970s, and she was a major leading lady during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Born and raised in British India, she began her acting career in British cinema in the early 1930s, with a breakout role in The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933). She later moved to Hollywood, where she became an international star, earning acclaim for films such as The Dark Angel (1935), Wuthering Heights (1939), and That Uncertain Feeling (1941). Her performance as Kitty Vane in The Dark Angel earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Oberon's other notable roles included A Song to Remember (1945), Berlin Express (1948), and Désirée (1954). A traffic collision in 1937 caused facial injuries that nearly ended her career, but she recovered and remained active in film and television until 1973. Description above from the Wikipedia article Merle Oberon, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Merle Oberon reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Merle Oberon's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 26% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Merle Oberon remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Forever and a Day, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Merle Oberon Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Merle Oberon's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Merle Oberon.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Interval | Serena Moore | Flop | Similar → |
| 1969 | The Epic That Never Was | Interviewee / Messalina (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1967 | Hotel | The Duchess Caroline | Average | Similar → |
| 1966 | The Oscar | Merle Oberon | Flop | Similar → |
| 1963 | Of Love and Desire | Katherine Beckmann | Flop | Similar → |
| 1956 | The Price of Fear | Jessica Warren | Average | Similar → |
| 1954 | Deep in My Heart | Dorothy Donnelly | Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | Désirée | Empress Josephine | Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | All Is Possible in Granada | Margaret Faulson | Flop | Similar → |
| 1952 | 24 Hours of a Woman's Life | Linda Venning | Flop | Similar → |
| 1952 | Dans la vie tout s'arrange | Elizabeth Rockwell | Flop | Similar → |
| 1951 | Pardon My French | Elizabeth Rockwell | Flop | Similar → |
| 1948 | Berlin Express | Lucienne | Average | Similar → |
| 1948 | Night Song | Cathy Mallory | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | Temptation | Ruby | Flop | Similar → |
| 1946 | Night in Paradise | Delarai | Flop | Similar → |
| 1945 | This Love of Ours | Karin Touzac | Average | Similar → |
| 1945 | A Song to Remember | George Sand | Average | Similar → |
| 1944 | Dark Waters | Leslie Calvin | Average | Similar → |
| 1944 | The Lodger | Kitty Langley | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | First Comes Courage | Nicole Larsen | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Stage Door Canteen | Merle Oberon | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | Forever and a Day | Marjorie Ismay | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Lydia | Lydia MacMillan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Affectionately Yours | Sue Mayberry | Flop | Similar → |
| 1941 | That Uncertain Feeling | Jill Baker | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Breakdowns of 1940 | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 1940 | 'Til We Meet Again | Joan Ames | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | The Lion Has Wings | Mrs. Richardson | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Over the Moon | Jane Benson | Flop | Similar → |
| 1939 | Wuthering Heights | Catherine 'Cathy' Earnshaw Linton | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | The Cowboy and the Lady | Mary Smith | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | Hollywood Goes to Town | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | The Divorce of Lady X | Leslie Steele / Lady Claire Mere | Average | Similar → |
| 1936 | Beloved Enemy | Helen Drummond | Average | Similar → |
| 1936 | Screen Snapshots (Series 16, No. 1) | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1936 | These Three | Karen Wright | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | The Dark Angel | Kitty Vane | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | Folies Bergère | Baroness Genevieve Cassini | Average | Similar → |
| 1934 | The Scarlet Pimpernel | Lady Marguerite Blakeney | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | The Broken Melody | Germaine Brissard | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | The Battle | Marquise Yorisaka | Flop | Similar → |
| 1934 | The Private Life of Don Juan | Antonita, a Dancer of Passionate Temperament | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | The Private Life of Henry VIII | Anne Boleyn | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | For the Love of Mike | Bit Part | Flop | Similar → |
| 1932 | Wedding Rehearsal | Miss Hutchinson | Flop | Similar → |
| 1932 | Service for Ladies | Undetermined Minor Role (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | Fascination | Flower Seller | Average | Similar → |
| 1930 | A Warm Corner | Bit Part (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1928 | The Three Passions | Bit Part (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
Merle Oberon - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Merle Oberon?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Merle Oberon is "Forever and a Day" with a rating of 7.4/10.
How many movies has Merle Oberon acted in?
Merle Oberon has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Merle Oberon?
Other notable films include "Wuthering Heights", "These Three", and "The Broken Melody".




