Deborah's father died when she was 15. Deborah entered the
Hicks-Smale Drama School where she took lessons in acting, ballet
and singing. Teddy also took lessons as well. Although Deborah
first concentrated heavily in ballet, she soon realized that her
height (5'6") put her at odds with the other dancers and
she soon abandoned any serious thoughts of dancing professionally.
She began to focus on acting and was soon appearing in Shakespearian
plays at the Open Air Theatre in Regents Park.
At one of these performances, Robert Atkins, a film director,
and John Gliddon, a talent scout, were impressed with Deborah's
elegance, beauty and acting abilities. They offered her a five
year film contract which she signed on November 1, 1939.
She was immediately cast in a bit part in director Michael
Powell's film "Contraband" but her part was eventually
cut from the film. Despite this setback, Kerr was introduced to
producer Gabriel Pascal who was looking for an actress to play
Jenny Hill in the film adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's Major
Barbara. She was given a screen test and hired but Pascal
wanted her to gain more acting experience and he enrolled her
in Oxford Playhouse where she would appear in several productions
there. At her own suggestion, Deborah joined the Salvation Army
as a volunteer so that she could gain insight into her character.
Filming commenced on Major Barbara in late 1940 and it
was released in Britain in August of 1941. The film opened to
glowing reviews and it was apparent that a new star was on the
horizon.
Continue to Early Career
