Long before she became a global icon of cinema, a young Brigitte Bardot created a sensation on a British film set. A year after her star-making turn in And God Created Woman (1956), the French actress travelled to London for a pivotal role that would become a legendary piece of studio folklore.
A Fateful Trip to Post-War Britain
In 1959, Brigitte Bardot made a rare visit to the UK to co-star with the beloved British actor Dirk Bogarde. The film was Doctor at Sea, the second instalment in the popular comedy series. Bardot was cast as a cabaret performer who finds herself stranded on a cargo ship, where she is discovered by Bogarde's character, Dr Simon Sparrow.
The scene in question involved Sparrow finding Bardot's character in the shower. As detailed in the 1987 book The Golden Gong, the initial plan, made with characteristic British modesty, was to film from the other side of a shower curtain with Bardot's body fully covered. However, a problem quickly emerged.
The Daring Decision That Electrified Pinewood
The film's producer, Betty Box, later explained that the camera could clearly pick out the outline of the garments Bardot was wearing beneath the curtain. The effect, she admitted frankly, simply "looked foolish".
It was Bardot herself who provided the solution. Demonstrating a professional pragmatism that belied her burgeoning sex-symbol status, she stripped off for the scene in front of an astonished crew. News of the event spread like wildfire through the studios.
Word whizzed round Pinewood Studios and the sound stage where they were filming soon became packed with curious onlookers, often "bulging at the seams" according to accounts.
A Professional and Personal Triumph
Far from causing friction, Bardot's down-to-earth approach endeared her to the entire production. In her own memoir, producer Betty Box recalled that Bardot was "a joy to work with". She also noted that the actress's "fractured English charmed everyone" on set, showcasing a personality that went beyond her screen image.
This episode from 1959 captures a fascinating moment in cinematic history, where European glamour met British reserve on the iconic stages of Pinewood. It highlights Bardot's early professionalism and the lasting impression she made during her brief but memorable time working in London, forever etching her name into the annals of British film lore.
