
Fay Compton
ActingAbout Fay Compton
From Wikipedia Fay Compton CBE (18 September 1894 – 12 December 1978) was an English actress from a notable acting lineage; her father was actor/manager Edward Compton; her mother, Virginia Bateman, was a distinguished member of the profession, as were her elder sister, the actress Viola Compton, and her uncles and aunts. Her grandfather was the 19th-century theatrical luminary Henry Compton. Author Compton Mackenzie was her elder brother. Compton's film work is not as well known as her stage appearances. She appeared in more than forty films between 1914 and 1970. Her most popular performances in films are Odd Man Out (1947), Laughter in Paradise (1951), Orson Welles' Othello (1952), The Haunting (1963) and I Start Counting (1969). Among her television performances, she appeared in 1965 with Michael Hordern in the television play, Land of My Dreams by Clive Exton. One of her last major roles was as Aunt Ann in the BBC's 1967 television adaptation of The Forsyte Saga. She had a successful career in the radio, television and gramophone recordings.
Fay Compton Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Fay Compton reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 40 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Fay Compton's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 33% of Fay Compton's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Cape Forlorn, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Fay Compton Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Fay Compton's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Fay Compton has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | I Start Counting | Mrs. Bennett | Average | Similar → |
| 1970 | The Virgin and the Gypsy | Grandma | Flop | Similar → |
| 1963 | Uncle Vanya | Marya, the mother | Flop | Similar → |
| 1963 | The Haunting | Mrs. Sanderson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1957 | The Story of Esther Costello | Mother Superior | Hit | Similar → |
| 1957 | Town on Trial | Mrs. Crowley | Hit | Similar → |
| 1956 | Doublecross | Alice Pascoe | Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | Aunt Clara | Gladys Smith | Flop | Similar → |
| 1953 | The Vanquished | Mrs. Pinkerton | Average | Similar → |
| 1952 | Lady Possessed | Mme. Brune | Flop | Similar → |
| 1951 | Othello | Emilia | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | Laughter in Paradise | Agnes Russell | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | Blackmailed | Mrs. Christopher | Flop | Similar → |
| 1949 | The Forbidden Street | Mrs. Culver | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | London Belongs to Me | Mrs. Josser | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | Esther Waters | Mrs. Barfield | Average | Similar → |
| 1947 | The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby | Mme. Mantalini | Hit | Similar → |
| 1947 | Odd Man Out | Rosie | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | The Prime Minister | Queen Victoria | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | So This Is London | Lady Worthing | Flop | Similar → |
| 1937 | The Mill on the Floss | Mrs. Tulliver | Flop | Similar → |
| 1934 | Waltzes from Vienna | Countess Helga von Stahl | Flop | Similar → |
| 1934 | Autumn Crocus | Jenny Grey | Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | Tell England | Mrs. Doe | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | Uneasy Virtue | Dorothy Rendell | Flop | Similar → |
| 1931 | Cape Forlorn | Eileen Kell | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1929 | Fashions in Love | Marie de Remy | Flop | Similar → |
| 1927 | Somehow Good | Rosalind Nightingale | Flop | Similar → |
| 1927 | Robinson Crusoe | Sophie | Hit | Similar → |
| 1927 | London Love | Sally Hope | Flop | Similar → |
| 1925 | Settled Out of Court | The Woman | Flop | Similar → |
| 1925 | The Happy Ending | Mildred Craddock | Flop | Similar → |
| 1924 | The Eleventh Commandment | Ruth Barchester | Flop | Similar → |
| 1924 | Claude Duval | Duchess Frances | Flop | Similar → |
| 1924 | The Loves of Mary, Queen of Scots | Mary Stuart | Flop | Similar → |
| 1922 | A Bill of Divorcement | Margaret Fairfield | Flop | Similar → |
| 1922 | Diana of the Crossways | Diana | Flop | Similar → |
| 1922 | The House of Peril | Sylvia Bailey | Flop | Similar → |
| 1921 | A Woman of No Importance | Rachel Arbuthnot | Flop | Similar → |
| 1921 | The Old Wives' Tale | Sophie Barnes | Flop | Similar → |
Fay Compton - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Fay Compton?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Fay Compton is "Cape Forlorn" with a rating of 7.5/10.
How many movies has Fay Compton acted in?
Fay Compton has been featured in at least 40 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Fay Compton?
Other notable films include "Tell England", "Othello", and "Odd Man Out".




