Getty ImagesOne of the last stars of Hollywood’s golden age has been laid to rest in a coastal town she visited to gain “respite” at the height of her fame, a church minister has revealed.
British actress Glynis Johns, known for her role as suffragette mother Winifred Banks in Mary Poppins, died in Los Angeles in January aged 100.
In April her ashes were transported to Jerusalem Independent Chapel in Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, to be buried alongside her Welsh father, actor Mervyn Johns.
Before the burial, a “lovely” and “solemn” ceremony was held in which Send In The Clowns – written for Johns by legendary composer Stephen Sondheim – was played, said Chris Owen, minister of the chapel.
Mr Owen said he was contacted by Johns’ goddaughter in the United States, who wanted to find out where the actress’ father was buried.
“It was a bit of a surprise – I hadn’t realised that she had links with the town of Burry Port,” he said, adding that the wish of her will was that “her ashes be buried in the family grave”.
“It’s lovely. As a young boy, I remember her films from the black and white days,” said Mr Owen, 72.
“People have forgotten about her today, but she was quite a famous actress.
“Her father had a more direct link to Burry Port, where I’m told she used to come back for the odd few days, just to have a bit of respite from all the fame.”
Among those to attend the ceremony was Rachael Nicholson, whose grandmother was Johns’ cousin.
“They were both close in age. They really liked going together – when she was over – to dancing and ballet lessons in Pembrey,” Ms Nicholson said.
She said it was a “small” service.
“Small considering that she is one of the big stars of Hollywood, but it is clear that this is where she considered her roots, and that she wants to come back to her family.”
Getty ImagesPart of a showbusiness family, Johns was born in October 1923 in South Africa, where her parents were performing.
Her father was born in Wales, but travelled as part of a drama company.
He returned to Britain, and acted in a number of films in the period after World War Two, including The Captive Heart and Scrooge. He died in 1992, aged 93.
Glynis Johns followed her father into acting.
Her first big screen role was in 1948 as the mermaid Miranda, with her performance in the comedy making her a star in the UK.
She was later nominated for an Academy Award for best supporting actress for her role in the 1960 film The Sundowners, and starred opposite Dame Julie Andrews in the classic 1964 Disney musical Mary Poppins, which went on to win five Oscars.
She also won a Tony Award in 1973 for playing Desiree Armfeldt in Sondheim’s Broadway musical A Little Night Music, in which she sang Send In The Clowns.
She once described the song as “the greatest gift I’ve ever been given”.
