Hilda Campbell-Russell

Biography

Hilda Campbell-Russell began her acting career as a child at the Italia Conti Stage School in London. She made her debut as an indian brave in Peter Pan (1920) with Gladys Cooper in the title lead. From there she started in rep, where it was a different play in a different venue every week. It was whilst on tour in Liverpool that she was spotted by a film director from the South African Theatre Company ITVA, who had come from London on the recomendation that he should she her perform. At a 9.00am meeting the following day, Hilda signed a contract, resting the papers on the side of a milk chirn, for a three month tour of South Africa to play the second lead in the touring production of White Heather. The year was 1923. It was her father, the famous racehorse trainer Campbell Russell, who insisted that she change her name and add his christian name to her own. Long surnames did prove to be a difficult obstacle to overcome when arranging for star billing. Hilda always insisted that it should find a place above the title - it often did. The outdoor type, Hilda enjoyed most sports, but it was horse racing that was her real passion. She and her younger sister Patricia, who also became an actress (working from 1923 - 1939), hit the headlines in 1932 when they became the first two women to play polo. The Daily Telegraph wrote, "Women Conquer Yet Another Field." Hilda's film debut came later. She had to wait until 1934 before she appeared on celluloid, Java Head with the mysterious Anna May Wong in the lead. A succession of further screen credits followed, thirty-five in all. It was the stage, however, that remained her true passion. She always insisted that there was nothing better than a live audience and so she never persued an active film career. It would be impossible to list all of her stage credits. In 1968, she played Mrs Bedwin and toured Japan with Oliver!, hence missing out on the chance to play the character on film. Her part was taken by Meg Jenkins. When there wasn't any stage or screen work, Hilda modelled. She was one of the oiriginal models for Burberrys. During the mid 1950s, she moved into television, and during the early 1970s took a recuring role in the popular British soap opera Crossroads. Her last television appearance of late was her role as Mrs Stevens in the BBC sit-com Waiting For God with Stephanie Cole. 2000, marks her 80th anniversary as an actress. Hilda Campbell-Russell is celebrating this milestone by preparing for a small role in a Hollywood blockbuster which is in production and is currently writing her autobiography, 'A Zest for Living'.