She was the little girl who left a lasting impression on a homesick Hollywood star. Susan Jones was just three when her parents invited actor Bernard Miles to stay at their home in St Nicholas during the filming of Moby Dick at Fishguard in 1954.

He formed a close bond with the vicar and his family – and in particular with the clergyman’s small daughter.

Now in her mid-70s, Susan has been reminiscing ahead of the Ar Ymyl y Tir 2026/On Land’s Edge Festival this weekend, marking the 70th anniversary of the release of John Huston’s classic movie.

“Bernard Miles didn’t want to stay at the Fishguard Bay Hotel with the rest of the cast so Mum and Dad – the Rev Glynn Jones and his wife Evelyn – put him up in our rectory,” she remembers.

Susan Jones was three when actor Bernard Miles came to stay.
Susan Jones was three when actor Bernard Miles came to stay. (Mike Lewis)

“Bernard was missing his family which is probably while he took a bit of shine to me.

“During the time he was with us one of his own daughters, Sally, celebrated her 21st birthday and my parents hosted a party which several members of the cast attended.

“Irish stew and apple pie was on the menu and Bernard Miles provided the drink and an accordion-ist!

“Quite a crowd turned up and I have a very dim memory of Richard Basehart appearing at the back door.

“I was tucked up in bed upstairs, but apparently Gregory Peck asked my mother: ‘Where is this lit-tle girl I keep hearing so much of?”

“She took him upstairs to my bedroom where I was lying asleep and he tickled my toes!

“Whilst Bernard was learning the script he’d give me sheets of paper and crayons to colour my drawings.

“Towards the end of the filming he came back to his room to find bits of paper torn up and camera film unravelled all over the place.

“I was so upset filming was ending that I’d used a pair of scissors to cut off the legs of his trousers – or so he said!

Susan Jones, once a little girl who charmed Hollywood star Bernard Miles during the filming of Moby Dick, shares her cherished memories ahead of a Fishguard festival marking the film's 70th anniversary.
Susan Jones, once a little girl who charmed Hollywood star Bernard Miles during the filming of Moby Dick, shares her cherished memories ahead of a Fishguard festival marking the film's 70th anniversary. (Mike Lewis)

“Fortunately, he did end up seeing the funny side.”

Thirty years later Bernard Miles was reunited with Susan and her parents when the subject of the ‘This Is Your Life’ TV programme.

Host Eamonn Andrews related how the little girl was so determined to stop him from leaving she cut the legs off his trousers.

“Well, Bernard, that was thirty years ago,” said Eamonn Andrews, “but here tonight is the girl who was so determined you wouldn’t be separated – Susan Jones – and with her, meeting you for the first time in thirty years, her parents – the Rev Glynn and Evelyn Jones!”