Dorothy Gladys Smith, better known as Dodie Smith and in theatrical circles by her pen-name CL Anthony. She was born May 3, 1896 at Whitefield, Lancashire and educated at Manchester and at St Paul’s Girls’ School in London.
After studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, she first appeared on stage in musical comedy in 1915. After several years touring with various companies, she left stage to go into business. Her first play, Autumn Crocus, was produced at the Lyric Theatre, London, in 1931 and was an immediate success. In 1932 her second play Service was produced at Wyndham’s Theatre. Both these plays have been filmed.
The One Hundred and One Dalmatians was also filmed but as an animated cartoon feature in 1961 by Walt Disney Productions. She wrote this in 1956 and then in 1967 another children’ book, The Starlight Barking was published to be followed by yet another, The Midnight Kittens in 1978.