Mabel Blythe
Mabel Josephine Blythe (1930–2004) was a popular Sri Lankan actress and singer who appeared in early Sinhala films opposite Eddie Jayamanne.
Mabel Blythe මේබල් බ්ලයිත් | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mabel Josephine Blythe March 28, 1930 Kandy, Sri Lanka |
| Died | 2004 (aged 83) |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1947-1983 |
| Spouse(s) | Ranjith Anthony |
| Relatives | Shirley Blythe (sister) Princey Blythe (sister) |
Personal life
Blythe was born on March 28, 1930.[1] Blythe married Ranjith Anthony and settled in Nuwara Eliya subsequently relying on a Tower Hall pension.
Career
Actress Jemini Kantha introduced her to B. A. W. Jayamanne who cast Blythe in Hadisi Vinishchaya (1949) opposite Eddie Jayamanne. She subsequently had similar roles in Sengawunu Pilithura (1951), Umathu Wishwasaya (1952), Kele Handa (1953), Iranganie (1954), Matha Bedhaya (1955), Perakadoru Bena (1955), Daiwa Wipaakaya (1956), Vanaliya (1958; with her sister Shirly Blythe), Kawata Andare (1960) and Mangalika (1963).[2]
Blythe sang in her movies. Her song "Sara Goiya" done for Daiwa Wipaakaya is considered one of the longest songs in Sri Lankan cinema running in at eight minutes. Blythe dueted with Mohideen Baig on "Surathaliye Sukumaliye" for the same film.[3] Earlier she did several duets with Eddie Jayamanne.
Blythe's later movies include Senasuma Kothanada (1966), Geetha (1970), Sujeewa (1972), Sukiri Kella (1975) and Mangala (1976). She also appeared in two South Indian films, Walliyin Selvan (with MG Ramachandran) and Periya Ediththa Pen (alongside Chandrababu). Blythe retired from film after filling in the role originally done by Jemini Kantha in the remake of Kadawunu Poronduwa (1982) pairing with Eddie Jayamanne one last time.[3]
She was presented the Sarasaviya Rantisara Award in 2002.[3]
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Hadisi Vinischaya | Srimathi | |
| 1951 | Sengawunu Pilithura | Nancina | |
| 1952 | Umathu Wishvasaya | Lizzy | |
| 1953 | Kele Handa | Missy | |
| 1954 | Iranganie | Margret | |
| 1955 | Mathabhedaya | Millie | |
| 1956 | Daiva Vipakaya | Shiromala | |
| 1958 | Wanaliya | ||
| 1959 | Hadisi Vivahaya | Anta | |
| 1970 | Geetha | Mabel | |
| 1976 | Hariyata Hari | Leticia | |
| 1982 | Kadawunu Poronduwa remake | Josie | |
| 1949 | Peralena Iranama | ||
| 1955 | Perakadoru Bena | ||
| 1961 | Jeewitha Poojawa | ||
| 1963 | Mangalika | ||
| 1964 | Kala Kala De Pala Pala De | ||
| 1964 | Sujage Rahasa | ||
| 1966 | Senasuma Kothanada | ||
| 1967 | Pipena Kumudu | ||
| 1967 | Magul Poruwa | ||
| 1967 | Sarana | ||
| 1972 | Sujeewa | Sujeewa's mother | [4] |
| 1975 | Sookiri Kella | Dayawathie | |
| 1985 | Raththaran Kanda | ||
| 1991 | Cheriyo Doctor | Mrs. Saparamadu | |
| 1992 | Jaya Sri We Kumariye | ||
| 1993 | Jeewan Malli | ||
| 2003 | Sepata Dukata Sunny | Mala's mother |
References
- Uvais, Ramesh (2004). "Mabel Blythe". Daily Mirror.
- Savarimutthu, Ranee (1977). On the Development of Sinhala Cinema, 1947-1967. Colombo, Sri Lanka: OCIC Sri Lanka.
- Kiriella, Indrani (2004). "Remembering Mabel Blythe Anthony: I'll never hear that voice again". Daily News. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2009.
- "All about Sujeewa". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
External links
- Mabel Blythe on IMDb