The diary of a late Fishguard woman provides a fascinating account of how she became a nanny to a top Hollywood actor during the filming of John Huston’s classic movie Moby Dick in 1954.

Janet Owen was just 16 when she landed a job as a make-up artist at the Fishguard Bay Hotel which had been taken over by Elstree Productions.

And having befriended the infant son of Richard Basehart she found herself being offered a job as his nanny – along with the chance of travelling the world.

Janet – who later became Mrs Janet Miles – recorded her recollections of the time Tinsel Town came to the Twin Towns six years before her death in 2023.

Janet Owen (Image: Owen Family Collection).
Janet Owen (Image: Owen Family Collection )

Her memories are included in the current Moby Dick exhibition at Fishguard’s Theatr Gwaun staged as part of the Ar Ymyl y Tir 2026/On Land’s Edge Festival marking the 70th anniversary of the film’s cinematic release.

Janet said the arrival of the film company sparked ‘great excitement’ and she ended up with a job in the make-up department.

“I had been working at the Bay for about three weeks when I heard that Richard Basehart’s nanny had walked out after a row with Mrs Basehart – the Italian actress Valentina Cortese.

“They were desperate for a replacement as Valentina was off to Italy in two days to finish filming a movie.

“It was a live-in job and their little boy, Jackie, was two-and-a-half years old.

“I got the job and my pay went up to £3, plus living in at the hotel. I thought I was crachach. Mrs Basehart went off to Italy and I got on great with Jackie who was a lovely little boy.

“His clothes were Italian cashmere trousers, tops, cardigans, lovely leather shoes of all colours.

Janet miles
Janet Mile (Image: Owen Family Collection)

“We ate all meals in the lovely dining room. The food was delicious – so many things I had never seen before, fruits like mango, melon, Chinese gooseberries and many others.

“When Mrs Basehart was at the hotel we ate with her for breakfast. She had fresh fruit and something called yoghurt – I’d never heard the word before, let alone seen it.

“Mrs Basehart went off for three weeks’ filming and during that period Jackie had a great time as my mother would drop my sister off at the hotel and he would enjoy playing with her.

“The film company had leased four or five Rolls Royces – chauffeur-driven – that people could use. I would ask our driver, Jack, to run me to my home and took Jackie to play with my sister.

“He would enjoy playing on the swing in the garden. I don’t think he had ever got dirty before.

The cast of Moby Dick – including Gregory Peck, Richard Basehart and Leo Genn are pictured with director John Huston during a break in the filming at Fishguard.
The cast of Moby Dick – including Gregory Peck, Richard Basehart and Leo Genn are pictured with director John Huston during a break in the filming at Fishguard. (Mike Lewis)

“One day Mr Basehart asked me if I had a passport. I said no. I had never been further than Cardiff.”

He said: “We would like you to be our nanny. Jackie is very happy with you.” Unfortunately, Mam and Dad said I was too young.

“I was very sad when I had to part with Jackie, after what had been a very memorable chapter in my life.”

See onlandsedge.co.uk for further info.