Mandy Miller


Mandy Miller is an English child actress who made a number of films in the 1950s and is probably best remembered for her recording of the 1956 song "Nellie the Elephant".

Early life

She was christened Carmen but called Mandy by her family. Her career tended to involve serious acting roles rather than comedy, even in her first small part in The Man in the White Suit, where she was a sad-faced little girl who helped Alec Guinness escape from his pursuers.
She was a natural actress and put in a much praised performance in her second film, another Ealing production, Mandy, playing a deaf-mute child whose parents did not know how to cope with bringing her up.
She was also convincing in the next film, Background, along with the other two child actors in this film about a family breaking up because of an impending divorce. Like Mandy, this was a drama about a well-to-do middle-class family; Valerie Hobson played her mother.
She also had lighter roles, such as in Raising a Riot starring Kenneth More. Some of her other famous co-stars were Joan Greenwood, Cecil Parker, Godfrey Tearle, Thora Hird and Sam Wanamaker. Miller also made two single records, familiar to British people of a certain age: "Snowflakes" and "Nellie the Elephant".
She also appeared in television dramas, making films until she was 18.

Personal life

In 1962, at the age of 18, Miller moved to New York City to become an au pair. In 1965, she married Christopher Davey, an architect, and had three children. She lives in retirement in Britain.
She is the aunt of actress Amanda Pays.

Filmography