Her first break came while she was still in Scotland, when actor-manager
Osmond Tearle heard of her ability and booked her to appear in various Shakesperian plays. During
World War I, Dudgeon was part of Lena Ashwell's company, performing for soldiers near the English front, occasionally joined by male soldiers on leave. She also worked for Lydia Yvorska's company. Following her emigration to America, she joined Mr Clive's company as the
Copyley Theatre. in
Becky Sharp (1935) One of her earlier best remembered appearances was in the role of Sir Roderick Femm in the 1932 film
The Old Dark House. Director
James Whale needed someone to portray a
centenarian and Dudgeon was the oldest actress he knew of, despite her being just 60 at the time. A beard was pasted onto her and she delivered her lines in her own, high voice. She was also known as playing Miss Pinkerton in
Becky Sharp (1935). She featured in some other hit films of the following years, such as
Camille (1936),
Pride and Prejudice (1940) and a supporting role alongside
Charles Laughton in
The Canterville Ghost (1944). She is also remembered by horror film buffs for her startling transformation scene in the cult comedy-thriller
Sh! The Octopus (1937). ==Personal life==