Betty Evelyn Box; British Producer of Popular Films

Betty Evelyn Box, 83, successful British film producer of such comedies as “Miranda.” Other than the whimsical mermaid tale of “Miranda” with Glynis Johns, Box’s hits included “Doctor in the House,” starring Dirk Bogarde, “Conspiracy of Hearts” with Lilli Palmer and the comedy series of the Huggett family led by Jack Warner and Kathleen Harrison. The producer also helped further the careers of James Mason and Brigitte Bardot. Box said she created the kind of films she wanted to see, and her work was far better known for its popularity than artistry. Born in Beckenham, England, she began her career producing about 200 training and propaganda films during World War II. She was put in charge of production at Islington Studios in 1947. In addition to producing, Box was a lyricist and shared a Golden Globe for best original song for “I Feel Love” from the motion picture “Benji.” Box came from a film family. Her older brother Sydney and his wife, Muriel, were a well-known screenwriting, directing and producing team, and her husband, Peter Rogers, was a writer and later producer of the “Carry On” comedy film series. On Friday near London.

Frances Bain Conley; Actress on Stage and in Movies

Frances Bain Conley, 74, stage, film and television actress of the 1940s and 1950s. Born in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, she was trained in acting at the Abbey Theater in Dublin and at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Known by the stage name Frances Bain, she first performed in “Meet the Navy,” a World War II musical comedy revue produced by the Canadian navy. Discovered by Darryl F. Zanuck, she was offered a Hollywood film contract. Conley made her debut in “The Big Clock” starring Ray Milland and Charles Laughton. On television, she had the lead in a 10-episode biblical series called “The Living Book.” After several years in small theater productions, Conley became an interior decorator. On Friday in Culver City of pneumonia.

Wilhelmina Duff Balken Pruyn; Horse Breeder

Wilhelmina Duff Balken Pruyn, 92, horse breeder, businesswoman and philanthropist. A resident of Rolling Hills for many years, Pruyn was a director of the California American Saddlebred Horse Assn. until her death. Her philanthropies included Los Angeles’ Childrens Hospital and Crisis Hot Line. An antique collector, she had antique shops in Palos Verdes and Beverly Hills and a clothing store in Malaga Cove on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. At her ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyo., and farm in Chesapeake Bay, Md., Pruyn bred American Saddlebred Horses and miniature horses. On Wednesday near Bohannon, Va.