Elizabeth Allan
Elizabeth was a pretty new starlet in MGM’s roster when Clark first met her on the set of Men in White in 1933. Then only 25, she had just come from her home country of England and had just been married. She didn’t seem to fit the mold of his “type”. Far from the sassy blondes he was later known to be fond of, Elizabeth was a pretty, unassuming, quiet brunette.
Myrna Loy recalled that he took an instant liking to Elizabeth on the first day of production. She said he would greet Elizabeth every morning with coffee and cakes and that they would spend all their time between takes chatting.
The platonic part of their relationship didn’t last for long, despite the fact that both were married. Elizabeth’s husband, Wilfred O’Bryen, was back in London and Ria was oblivious as usual. After production on Men in White was over, Clark pushed MGM to sign her to a long term contract.
Their love affair continued off and on for about two years. They were careful not to be photographed together but were known as one of Hollywood’s worst kept secrets. She was not the only one on Clark’s dance card either, as he dated many others in those two years. She was one of the ones that fell to the wayside after Clark began seeing that sassy blonde Carole Lombard in 1936.
Elizabeth returned to England in 1938, after attempting to sue MGM over them reneging on a promise to cast her in the film The Citadel (Rosalind Russell was cast instead). Clark and Elizabeth did not see each other for many years, as after that she remained in England, doing films and theater. But in 1943, while Clark was in the Army, he was stationed in London. Apparently Clark and Elizabeth met up around this time. She was married then, more than likely a platonic meeting.
That is supposedly the last time they saw each other. Elizabeth was a very successful actress in her home country, working steadily through the 1950’s. She died in 1990 at age 82.
7 Comments
Robert Rivera
I just finished watching Men In White. WOW she was impressive. To use an olde cliche´ “They
just don’t make them like that anymore.
Wow
Elizabeth Allan was a piece of work. She was sleeping with the producer of Mark of the Vampire (1935). According to a Carroll Borland biographer (Mank), Bela Lugosi warned her to stay away from the unsavory Ms. Allan! One can only imagine the STDs that got passed around between them, Errol Flynn-style! YUCK!
Harry Taft
I just saw her on TCM in Tale of Two Cities. She was very beautiful for 1935 and would be so today as well. A wonderful actress, too.
Bruce Allan
Elizabeth Allan was my aunt. She never had any children.
Nelson
I saw MEN IN WHITE for the first time about 30 years ago but never paid attention about Elizabeth Allan, later I saw TALES OF TWO CITIES, good performance. Later I saw her in several movies but not in a leading role.
Couple of years ago I saw her English movie SERVICE FOR LADIES, I loved it, then I start looking for more movies today I had most of the movies that she made during the 30th.
In the 40th I only know the war propaganda movie, very common at that time. WENT THE DAY WELL? but as a character actress.
In the 50ths FRONT PAGE STORY with good performance.
Do wish I knew more about her and her movies.
Nelson from Brazil
Charles Berger
Elizabeth Allan was a beautiful woman and a good actress. I enjoyed her in A Tale Of Two Cities.
Whether she had affairs with men other than her husband really isn’t anyone’s business.
Greta
She was known as a porcupine. A million pricks stuck in her.