U.K. woman may be Jeanne Craine imposter

LONDON, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- A woman in rural England calling herself Jeanne Craine may be a fake, some fear, especially after the famous actress reportedly died last month in California.

During the past three years, a woman who said her name was Jeanne Craine has lived in Fleetwood, Lancashire, London's Mirror reported Wednesday.

The supposedly retired actress, who once co-starred beside Kirk Douglas, Charlton Heston and Frank Sinatra, has participated in local productions and even married a fan, William Laws, 89.

Last month's report that Craine died at age 78 in California has caused some people to doubt the Lancashire woman's identity, who is believed to be Marjorie Calvert, 68.

"I urged Dad not to go ahead with the marriage," said Laws' son, Ken Laws, 56.

"I have had friends contact Marjorie. ... One of them got through on her mobile but she said she could not speak as she was with Omar Sharif," he said.

Carol Lawrence, who produced a local stage show in which Craine acted, also doubts the woman's identity.

"She told marvelous stories about Hollywood," Lawrence said. ... "But I saw her one night selling programs wearing a badge with the name Marjorie Calvert on it."