TELEVISION SUCCESS

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28154, 18 December 1956, Page 2

TELEVISION SUCCESS

SISTER OF DUKE’S SECRETARY (By SUSAN VAUGHON) What has happened to pretty 25-years-old Mary Parker, who became a household name in Britain as announcer of 8.8. C. television’s “Quite Contrary?” The answer is that she is in Australia. A colleague, who has been reporting on the Olympic Games, tells me she is a great success in the new television service there. Although she was born near Bath, Somerset, Australia is really her home. She went out there with her parents when she was only four jnonths old. Her father. Captain C. A. Parker, C.8.E., transferred from the Royal Navy to the Australian fleet in World War I. and her bother is. of course,

Lieutenant - Commander Michael Parker,' the Duke of Edinburgh’s private secretary and equerry. He, too, has been in Australia recently—as a member of the Duke’s round-the-world touring team. Mary Parker has met members of the Royal Family on several occasions, but she is emphatic that the privilege has not helped her professionally in any way. Indeed, she has found it a tough climb to the top.

She once stayed up all night dyeing her hair blonde to get her first acting part. Several years ago, a famous producer told her to give up her ideas of playing in Shakespeare and to get experience in every form of theatre. “Come back in four years,” he said, “and I might be able to use you.” . Now she has come back. But it is not every producer who can be lucky enough to use her.