Una Pearl

In June 1956, Una got a call from a casting agent to go to a house on Piccadilly, London, where cinematographer Jack Cardiff was casting for body-doubles for The Prince and the Showgirl (1957). Una, born and bred in Croydon, London, had already worked in repertory theatre as well as walk-on roles in such films as An Alligator Named Daisy (1955) with Donald Sinden and Diana Dors, and The Silken Affair (1956) with David Niven, had put her on the cover of Picturegoer magazine in 1956 (she looked endearing and pretty in a demure baby doll nightie). To Una's surprise, Cardiff selected her from around 50 other girls. Una was ten years younger, and two inches shorter than Marilyn Monroe. She had Monroe's exact skin colouring. The film was shot in Technicolor. Unlike many who have gone on record to give their side of the story, Una does not have one bad word to say about Marilyn. 'I found her charming, a giggler - the least little thing would set her off laughing. And she was very down to earth. I didn't find her snooty like some actresses, who wouldn't smile, and would look the other way if you said good morning.' So fond did Una grow of Marilyn that when she had her first daughter, in 1965, she named her after the star! After four months of hard work, Una made it into three scenes of the final edit, highly unusual for a 1950s body double. Her long-fingered elegant hands, 'always a selling point', are seen in close-up when Elsie Marina reads a programme booklet. Una also appears in long shot, waving to King George V in the coronation scenes, and when Marilyn was too ill to be on set, Una was filmed from behind, bobbing up and down in curtsy to Laurence Olivier. Una finally retired from showbusiness during the late 1960s to raise her family. She has two daughters. For many years she lived in total obscurity, only returning to the limelight in October 2002 when she was invited to attend the opening night of a photographic tribute to the late Frank Worth. Called 'Worth Exposing Hollywood' it featured never before seen images of Marilyn Monroe. Una graciously gave interviews to the BBC and CNN as well as joining actors Patricia Neal, Betty Garrett, Arlene Dahl, Peggy Cummins, Mildred Shay, Noreen Nash, James Whitmore, Kathleen Hughes and Liz Fraser for a photo opportunity. Una Pearl lives in Essex, England.