Blue plaque unveiled in honour of Madeleine Carroll.
The University of Birmingham has commemorated one of its most distinguished graduates, the actor and humanitarian, Madeleine Carroll, through the unveiling of a new commemorative Blue Plaque
Carroll, who was born in West Bromwich, graduated from the University of Birmingham in 1926 with a BA in French with Honours. During her studies she appeared in some productions for the University’s Dramatic Society, before later going on to star in films in the UK and in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s.
In 1935 Carroll attracted the attention of Alfred Hitchcock and starred as one of the director’s earliest prototypical cool, glib, intelligent blondes in The 39 
After her only sister Marguerite was killed during the Blitz in World War II, Carroll made a shift from acting to working in field hospitals as a Red Cross nurse and helped orphans of the war and survivors of concentration camps. As a result of this work she proposed a World Children’s Day to UNICEF, which has since been celebrated globally on 20th November each year.
Around 50 people attended the unveiling of the blue plaque at the newly equipped screening room called The Carroll at the University of Birmingham yesterday, followed by a talk on the life and importance of Madeleine Carroll and a commemorative screening of The 39 Steps.
Professor Rob Stone, Co-director of B-Film: The Birmingham Centre for Film Studies from the University of Birmingham said: “We are delighted to able to honour the life and work of Madeline Carroll – for Hers is a rich legacy in both her film and humanitarian work, and it is very fitting that our celebration takes place on UNICEF World Children’s Day, that Madeleine was instrumental in establishing.”