 Tree entered films in 1937 and played a string of character parts in films such as that year's "Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel" and the role of Freddy in the following year's "Pygmalion", which had special significance for him, because his grandfather, Herbert Beerbohm Tree originated the role of Henry Higgins in the play's initial English language production in 1914.In a sentimental gesture, the film's producer, Gabriel Pascal, cast Tree's mother, Viola, in the cameo role of social reporter Perfide, giving Tree a final opportunity to work with his mother.Ill with pleurisy, she died at the age of 54, five weeks after "Pygmalion"s 6 October 1938 London premiere.