Catherine Lacey

Catherine Lacey (6 May 1904 – 23 September 1979) was a prominent English actress known for her impactful performances on both stage and screen. She began her cinematic journey in 1938 with a memorable role as a mysterious nun in Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film, *The Lady Vanishes*, where she was credited as Catherine Lacy.

Throughout her career, Lacey showcased her versatility in a range of significant films including *I Know Where I'm Going!* (1945), *The October Man* (1947), *Whisky Galore!* (1949), and *The Servant* (1963). Notably, she portrayed Queen Elizabeth I in *The Fighting Prince of Donegal* (1966). The late 1960s saw her delve into the horror genre, playing a sinister fortune-teller in *The Mummy's Shroud* and the deranged wife of Boris Karloff in Michael Reeves' *The Sorcerers*, a role that earned her the Silver Asteroid award for Best Actress at the Trieste Science Fiction Film Festival in 1968.

In addition to her film accomplishments, Lacey made a significant mark in television, beginning with a BBC adaptation of *The Duchess of Malfi* in 1938 and concluding her appearances with the 1973 *Play for Today* episode *Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont*. Her talent was recognized with the prestigious Guild of TV Producers and Directors award for Actress of the Year in 1960, solidifying her legacy in the performing arts.