Biography

May 27, 1926 · Finsbury Park, London, England, UK

Margaret Ann Barton

Last surviving cast member of Brief Encounter (1945).

She was cast for Brief Encounter (1945) at age 18 after David Lean and Noel Coward saw her on the West End stage during WWII. During the war she became well known for playing children and young people because she was small for her age.

Had one son, Michael G James, who was born in 1952, but he died of cancer aged just 30.

It was nerve-wracking, but fascinating as well. You could hear these things coming over and then the sound stopped. I knew they were going to drop but you didn't know where. I remember how the audience would get down on the floor and you could hear the seats going back. And then this great explosion would happen and dust would drop down from the top of the theatre. [remembering the Axis "buzz bombs" dropping on London]

Young people come dressed up in the style of the 40s. They bring a handkerchief for the last few scenes because they know they're going to cry. [on attending special screenings of "Brief Encounter"]

I think the film's [Brief Encounter] appeal is partly to do with the music. It was [director] David Lean's idea to have the Rachmaninov [Piano Concerto No.2].