David O. Selznick saw her potential in Alfred Hitchcock's film Young and Innocent (1937) and avidly pushed for her to star in his next film Rebecca (1940). Hitchcock's impression she was too immature for the role, and the sudden collapse of her studio, Gaumont British Picture Corporation, combined to help her lose the part to Joan Fontaine.
Completely retired shortly after her marriage to second husband, BBC
radio journalist Alexander Whyte, in 1950. They had one daughter, Sarah
Jane, born in July1952.
Better known in England as a stage actress; she gave vibrant performances in the title role of "Peter Pan", Viola in "Twelfth Night", and Rosalind in "As You Like It", among others.
Father was RADA-trained actor and theatrical manager Arnold
Pilbeam.