Madeleine Carroll (1906-1987) was, without question, one of the lovliest Hollywood leading ladies ever. From 1928-1948, she appeared in a number of films, most of which are pretty much forgotten today, and many of them weren't incredibly popular when they were first released, which is what probably led to her premature leave of the screen. For a talanted, patrician beauty such as Madeleine to retire wasn't something out of the ordinary back then: many screen divas in the old days left earlier than their fans would have wanted: Greta Garbo (retired in 1941), Anita Paige (retired in 1936), Norma Shearer (retired in 1942), Jeanette MacDonald (retired in 1942), and Mary Pickford (retired in 1933). Sadly, Madeleine's popularity never really reached very high heights. Today, few know her, even within the circle of film buffs out there. Most actors and actresses have been in at least one or two movies that will ensure never-ending popularity. Not Madeleine. Not much is even known about her. There have been no biographies and you're hard pressed to find pictures and facts in film collection books. I do know that she was born in England and died in Spain and was one heck of a Princess Flavia. She was really born for that role; she's a perfect fairy tale princess.
