Marla Landi


Marla Landi, Lady Dashwood is an Italian-born British film actress.

Early life

Her major roles included Across the Bridge, Dublin Nightmare, First Man into Space, The Murder Game, and the Hammer films The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Pirates of Blood River. She was a Play School presenter from 1964–70. Joy Whitby, the programme's creator and earliest producer, recalled in 2013: "She spoke English with a heavy accent, but she was very loveable and children adored her." Landi also presented Parliamo Italiano. She also appeared in an episode of the television version of Hancock's Half Hour known as "The Italian Maid" in 1959.
She was also a top photographic model and had a number of magazine covers including Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Tatler. She later became the Fashion editor for Harper's Bazaar.

She then went on to set up her own successful international wig business.

Honours

She was made a Knight of the Italian Republic for promoting the Italian language and culture in the United Kingdom.

Personal life

In 1977 she married Sir Francis Dashwood, 11th Baronet. Together they lived at West Wycombe House in Buckinghamshire.

Filmography