Because of facial scars the actress sustained in a London car crash in 1937, her future husband, cinematographer Lucien Ballard, designed a compact spotlight that he coined the "Obie" (Oberon's nickname). Mounted on the side of the camera, the device lights the subject head on, thus reducing the incidence of unflattering facial lines and shadows.
Born under the sign of Aquarius!
Early publicity stated that she was born in Tasmania, rather than India. At that time, a Tasmanian background was considered "classier" than her true mixed race origins.
Had extremely sensitive skin -- suffered from cosmetic poisoning twice, the second time left permanent scarring
Her father hailed from Britain and her mother from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).
Her will left most of her money to be divided between her children. She left $1 million to the Motion Picture Country Home and Hospital. Her husband, Robert Wolders, got nothing, at his own request.
In 1949, twelve years after her mother's death, she commissioned a painting of her mother from an old photograph, instructing the painter to lighten her mother's complexion in the painting to hide the fact that she is part-Indian.
Interred at Forest Lawn, Glendale, California, USA, in the Garden of Remembrance, 2nd section, left side.
Lost the role of "Domini Enfilden" in The Garden of Allah (1936) to Marlene Dietrich.
Measurements: 33 1/2-24-35 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)
The mini series Queenie (1987) (TV) starring Mia Sara is based on a book by Merle's nephew, loosely based on her life.
To hide her half-Indian parentage, she would falsely represent to visitors that her mother was the maid.
Two children, Francesca Pagliai and Bruno Pagliai Jr.
Was known as "Queenie Thompson" up until 1939 when her then husband Alexander Korda convinced her to change her name.