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Frank Launder
Frank Launder (28 January 1906 – 23 February 1997) was a British writer, film director and producer, who made more than 40 films, many of them in collaboration with Sidney Gilliat. Early life and career He was born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England and worked briefly as a clerk before becoming an actor and then a playwright. He began working as a screenwriter on British films in the 1930s, contributing the original story for the classic Will Hay comedy ''Oh, Mr Porter!'' (1937). Sidney Gilliat Launder first collaborated with Gilliat in 1936 on the film '' Seven Sinners''. After writing a number of screenplays with Gilliat, including ''The Lady Vanishes'' (1938) for Alfred Hitchcock, and ''Night Train to Munich'' for Carol Reed; the two men wrote and directed the wartime drama ''Millions Like Us'' (1943). After founding their own production company Individual Pictures, they produced a number of memorable dramas and thrillers including ''I See a Dark Stranger'' (1945) and '' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hitchin
Hitchin () is a market town and unparished area in the North Hertfordshire Districts of England, district in Hertfordshire, England, with an estimated population of 35,842. History Hitchin is first noted as the central place of the Hicce people, a tribe holding 300 Hide (unit), hides of land as mentioned in a 7th-century document,Gover, J E B, Mawer, A and Stenton, F M 1938 ''The Place-Names of Hertfordshire'' English Place-Names Society volume XV, 8 the Tribal Hidage. Hicce, or Hicca, may mean ''the people of the horse.'' The tribal name is Old English and derives from the Middle Angles, Middle Anglian people. It has been suggested that Hitchin was the location of 'Councils of Clovesho, Clofeshoh', the place chosen in 673 by Theodore of Tarsus the Archbishop of Canterbury during the Synod of Hertford, the first meeting of representatives of the fledgling Christianity, Christian churches of Anglo-Saxon England, to hold annual synods of the churches as Theodore attempted to conso ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Happiest Days Of Your Life (film)
''The Happiest Days of Your Life'' is a 1950 British comedy film directed by Frank Launder, based on the 1947 play of the same name by John Dighton. The two men also wrote the screenplay. It is one of a stable of classic British film comedies produced by Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat for British Lion Film Corporation. The film was made on location in Liss and at Riverside Studios, London. In several respects, including some common casting, it was a precursor of the '' St. Trinian's'' films of the 1950s and 1960s. Plot In September 1949, confusion reigns when St Swithin's Girls' School is accidentally billeted at Nutbourne College: a boys' school in Hampshire. The two heads, Wetherby Pond (Alastair Sim) and Muriel Whitchurch ( Margaret Rutherford), try to cope with the ensuing chaos, as the children and staff attempt to live in the newly cramped conditions (it being impossible to share dormitories or other facilities), and seek to prevent the children taking advantage of the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
For The Love Of Mike (1932 Film)
''For the Love of Mike'' is a 1932 British musical film, musical comedy film directed by Monty Banks and starring Bobby Howes, Constance Shotter and Arthur Riscoe. It was made at Elstree Studios (Shenley Road), Elstree Studios by British International Pictures.Wood p.74 The film's sets were designed by the art director David Rawnsley. Plot A private secretary begins to suspect that his nouveau riche employer is cheating his young female ward (legal), ward out of her inheritance, but inadvertently becomes involved in a plan to rob his master's safe. Cast * Bobby Howes as Booby Seymour * Constance Shotter as Mike * Arthur Riscoe as Conway Paton * Renée Macready as Stella Rees * Jimmy Godden as Henry Miller * Viola Tree as Emma Miller * Wylie Watson as Rev. James * Hal Gordon as PC * Syd Crossley as Sullivan * Monty Banks as Chef * Merle Oberon as Bit Part References Bibliography * Low, Rachael. ''Filmmaking in 1930s Britain''. George Allen & Unwin, 1985. * Wo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Josser In The Army
''Josser in the Army'' is a 1932 British war comedy film directed by Norman Lee and starring Ernie Lotinga, Betty Norton, Jack Hobbs. It was part of the Josser series of films featuring Lotinga. It was made at Elstree Studios by British International Pictures.Wood p.75 Synopsis Following the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, factory foreman Jimmy Josser joins the regiment of his employer. While serving on the western front he manages to thwart a plan by German secret agents. Cast * Ernie Lotinga as Jimmy Josser * Betty Norton as Joan * Jack Hobbs as Paul Langdon * Hal Gordon as Parker * Jack Frost as Ginger * Arnold Bell Arnold Bell (23 May 1901 – 12 March 1988) was a British actor. Selected filmography * ''Convict 99'' (1919) - Warder Gannawy * '' Doctor Josser K.C.'' (1931) * '' Josser in the Army'' (1932) - Becker * ''Doss House'' (1933) - Reporter * '' ... as Becker * Harold Wilkinson as Seeley References Bibliography * Low, Rachael. ''Filmma ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
After Office Hours (1932 Film)
''After Office Hours'' is a 1932 British romantic drama film directed by Thomas Bentley and starring Frank Lawton, Viola Lyel and Garry Marsh. The film was based on the 1931 play ''London Wall'' by John Van Druten with several of the cast reprising their roles from the original stage production. The film was produced by the British film studio British International Pictures at their Elstree Studios. Premise Office romance, in which Hec is in love with secretary Pat, and fellow secretary Miss Janus, older and wiser, takes it upon herself to concoct a plan to help him receive the empty-headed Pat's affections. Cast * Frank Lawton as Hec * Heather Angel as Pat * Viola Lyel as Miss Janus * Garry Marsh Garry Marsh (21 June 1902 – 6 March 1981) was an English stage and film actor. Born Leslie Marsh Gerahty in St Margarets, Surrey, his parents were George and Laura. His elder brothers were the author Digby George Gerahty and the journalist ... as Brewer * Eileen Peel ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Children Of Fortune
''Children of Fortune'' (German: ''Kinder des Glücks'') is a 1931 British-German crime film directed by Alexander Esway and starring Dina Gralla, Kurt Vespermann and Vicky Werckmeister. It was made as the German-language version of '' Children of Chance''.Murphy p.182 It was made at Elstree Studios and distributed in Germany by Süd-Film, which was owned by British International Pictures. Cast * Dina Gralla * Kurt Vespermann * Vicky Werckmeister * Jenny Kiefe * Wera Engels * Ekkehard Arendt * Michael von Newlinsky * Teddy Bill Teddy Bill (18 November 1900 – 11 February 1949) was an Austrian actor. Later in his career he was also credited as Teddy Kern. Selected filmography * ''Princess Trulala'' (1926) - Lackei * ''Vienna - Berlin'' (1926) - Ein Heurigenfänger * ... * Rudolf Meinhard-Jünger References Bibliography * Murphy, Robert. ''Directors in British and Irish Cinema: A Reference Companion''. British Film Institute, 2006. External links * 1931 f ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Woman Between (1931 British Film)
''The Woman Between'' is a 1931 British drama film directed by Miles Mander and starring Owen Nares, Adrianne Allen and David Hawthorne. It was made at Elstree Studios by British International Pictures, the leading studio of the era. Mander adapted the film from Miles Malleson's 1925 play ''Conflict''. The film is notable for its sexual and political content which has been attributed to a brief period of relaxation in oversight by the BBFC. It was one three similarly themed films which Allen appeared in at the time including '' Loose Ends'' and ''The Stronger Sex''.''The Unknown Thirties''. p.219-36 Premise An aristocratic young woman becomes romantically torn between two men, once friends at University, who stand for the Conservative Party and Labour Party in an election. Both have murky recent pasts, one having been a petty thief and the other had lived outside of marriage with the heroine. Her father is left bemused by the morals of the younger generation. Cast * Owen Nares ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Keepers Of Youth
''Keepers of Youth'' is a 1932 British drama film directed by Thomas Bentley and starring Garry Marsh, Ann Todd and Robin Irvine. It was based on the 1929 play ''Keepers of Youth'' by Arnold Ridley, and marked the film debut of Ann Todd. It was shot at the Elstree Studios of British International Pictures. Plot The arrival of Mr. Knox, the new sports instructor at a British Public school (United Kingdom), public school, heralds trouble. He imposes his dominant personality to influence colleagues and the headmaster alike, and then attempts to force himself on Millicent, the assistant matron. Cast *Garry Marsh as Knox *Ann Todd as Millicent *Robin Irvine as David Lake *John Turnbull (actor), John Turnbull as Gordon Duff *O. B. Clarence as Slade *Herbert Ross as Sullivan *Mary Clare as Mrs Venner *Ethel Warwick as Matron *Rene Ray as Kitty Williams References External links * 1932 films British drama films 1932 drama films Films shot at British International Pic ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hobson's Choice (1931 Film)
''Hobson's Choice'' is a 1931 British comedy drama film directed by Thomas Bentley and starring James Harcourt, Viola Lyel, Frank Pettingell and Herbert Lomas. Based on the 1916 play ''Hobson's Choice'' by Harold Brighouse, it follows the tale of a coarse bootshop owner who becomes outraged when his eldest daughter decides to marry a meek cobbler. It was produced by the leading British company of the time, British International Pictures, at their studios in Elstree. The film is missing from the BFI National Archive, and is listed as one of the British Film Institute The British Film Institute (BFI) is a film and television charitable organisation which promotes and preserves film-making and television in the United Kingdom. The BFI uses funds provided by the National Lottery to encourage film production, ...'s " 75 Most Wanted" lost films. An earlier silent film version of the play had been released in 1920. Cast References Bibliography *Low, Rachael. ''Filmmaking ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The W Plan
''The W Plan'' is a 1930 British spy film produced and directed by Victor Saville and starring Brian Aherne, Madeleine Carroll, Gibb McLaughlin, and Gordon Harker. The screenplay was written by Saville with Miles Malleson and Frank Launder, based on the novel of the same name by Graham Seton. When the film was released in the United States, Aherne was appearing in ''The Barretts of Wimpole Street'' on Broadway, and receiving praise for his performance as Robert Browning. The film was a critical success, but did not do well at the box office. Plot Colonel Duncan Grant (Brian Aherne) is a British officer during World War I. When the British high command get wind of a German plan, titled The W Plan, from the lips of a dying German officer, Major Ulrich Muller (George Merritt), they send Grant behind enemy lines to learn the details. After successfully being dropped by airplane near the German town of Essen, where he makes his way to home of the dead German who was responsible f ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Children Of Chance (1930 Film)
''Children of Chance'' is a 1930 British comedy crime film directed by Alexander Esway and starring Elissa Landi, Mabel Poulton, John Stuart and John Longden. Production It was made at Elstree Studios by British International Pictures, the country's biggest production company of the era.Wood p.69 A separate German version ''Children of Fortune'' was also made. Such multiple-language versions were common during the early years of sound before dubbing became more established. Synopsis Binnie, a struggling young actress, is mistaken for her doppelganger the model Lia Monta. Unfortunately Monta, a woman with a shady past has that very same day stolen some precious pearls and fled to the Continent. Binnie, delighted to have won a film contract with a leading producer who be believes her to be Monta, is forced to face the consequences of the other woman's theft. Cast * Elissa Landi as Binnie/Lia Monta * Mabel Poulton as Molly * John Stuart as Gordon * John Longden as Jeffrey * Gu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Under The Greenwood Tree (1929 Film)
''Under the Greenwood Tree '' is a 1929 British historical drama film directed by Harry Lachman and starring Marguerite Allan, Nigel Barrie and Wilfred Shine. It is an adaptation of the 1872 novel ''Under the Greenwood Tree'' by Thomas Hardy. Production and release The film's sets were designed by Wilfred Arnold. It was made at Elstree Studios by the leading British company of the era British International Pictures. It was originally intended to be a silent film, but following the arrival of sound, songs and dialogue were added using the RCA system. It was released in September 1929, around the same time as ''The American Prisoner'', both films following on from the company's first sound release, Alfred Hitchcock's ''Blackmail'', in June. A review in ''Close Up'' suggested it "has perhaps the best direction yet produced from a British studio".Low p.193 Cast * Marguerite Allan as Fancy Day * Nigel Barrie as Shinar * John Batten as Dick Dewey * Maud Gill as Old Maid * Wilfred Sh ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
