Frances Mabel Morton (née Rowe, 26 June 1913 – 31 July 1988) was an English stage, film and television actress.
Early years Rowe was born in Preston, Lancashire, the daughter of a parson, and educated at Channing School For Girls in Highgate and then went on to study at Newnham College, Cambridge.
Stage Rowe's acting career started in the Marlowe Society, Cambridge. She then worked on the West End and in repertory theatre from 1936 onward, at Newcastle, Coventry, Harrogate, Worthing, Dundee and Windsor.
She appeared in many theatrical productions both on the West End and also in the United States. Her American stage debut was in Man and Superman. In 1951 she was awarded the Clarence Derwent Award (her real name Frances Rowe is listed). She played the part of Alex Cornwall in Who Goes There!. In 1952 she was in John Clements' comedy The Happy Marriage. In 1955 she starred in the J.B. Priestley play Mr. Kettle and Mrs. Moon.
Radio Rowe made her American radio debut on Grand Central Station.
Television Rowe's television work included Love Story, Rogues' Gallery, Vanity Fair, The Mill on the Floss (1965 TV adaptation of the book) and as Emily Forsyte in the 1967 BBC TV serial drama The Forsyte Saga. In later years, she appeared in The Ghosts of Motley Hall, and her most famous roles were that of Nancy Penrose, the mother of Hester played by Julia McKenzie in the ITV sitcom Fresh Fields, (1984–86) and Vera Polling in After Henry (1988). She was also in the Tales of the Unexpected episode What Have You Been up to Lately?. (series 5-episode 13) She appeared in an episode of Upstairs, Downstairs, "The Hero's Farewell", as the Duchess of Mitcham, and she made a guest appearance in the final episode of Rising Damp, playing Miss Jones's mother.
Personal life Rowe married actor Clive Morton in 1954. She died in London on 31 July 1988 at the age of 75.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1944 They Came to a City Philippa 1952 Never Look Back Liz 1952 Miss Robin Hood Marion 1953 Street Corner C.O. Uncredited1954 The Teckman Mystery Eileen Miller 1954 Aunt Clara Maggie Mason Uncredited1955 The Dark Avenger Genevieve 1957 The Birthday Present Secretary 1958 The Moonraker Lady Dorset 1970 Jane Eyre Mrs. Eshton TV movie1972 Lady Caroline Lamb Lady Holland
Radio appearances Year Program Episode/source 1948 Grand Central Station NA
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