Patricia Morison, Broadway star of Kiss Me Kate, dies aged 103

Broadway and Hollywood star Patricia Morison has died aged 103.

She died of natural causes at her home in Los Angeles on Sunday, a spokesman confirmed.

Ms Morison acted in films alongside Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn, originated the role of an over-emotional diva in Broadway musical Kiss Me, Kate and starred on stage opposite Yul Brynner in The King and I.

She was often cast as the femme fatale or villain, including the mastermind in 1946's Dressed to Kill who sparred with Sherlock Holmes, played by Basil Rathbone.

The star made her film debut in Persons in Hiding in 1939, playing a wicked woman who pushes her man (J. Carrol Naish) to commit murder.

It is thought she was cast in villainous parts because of her tumbling dark locks and dark-haired beauty.

She was born in New York City in 1915.

Her other films included Danger Woman and Tarzan and the Huntress.