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Tony Beckley
Derek Anthony Beckley (7 October 1927 – 19 April 1980) was an English actor. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Beckley went on to carve out a career on film and television throughout the 1960s and 1970s, often playing villainous roles, as well as being a veteran of numerous stage productions. Early life Beckley was born in Southampton, Hampshire, England. He was a child out of wedlock and never met his father. His mother, Beatrice Mitchell, worked as a steward on ocean liners such as the and the . Due to work commitments, she was often away, and Beckley was brought up mainly by another woman whom he referred to as his aunt.van Gelder, Lawrence. 1979. "New Face: Tony Beckley - Genial Film Maniac With English Roots." in ''New York Times'', 19 Oct 1979, Section The Weekend, Page C3 When he was five years old, Beckley and his mother moved to Portsmouth and when the Second World War broke out he was sent to Winchester, where he attended boarding school at Winton Ho ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Italian Job
''The Italian Job'' is a 1969 British comedy caper film, written by Troy Kennedy Martin, produced by Michael Deeley, directed by Peter Collinson, and starring Michael Caine. The film's plot centres around Cockney criminal Charlie Croker, recently released from prison, who forms a gang for the job of stealing a cache of gold bullion being transported through the city of Turin, Italy in an armoured security truck. In addition to Caine, the film's cast also included Benny Hill, Raf Vallone, Tony Beckley, and Noël Coward; the film was Coward's last before his retirement from acting. The soundtrack was composed by Quincy Jones, featuring the songs "On Days Like These", sung by Matt Monro over the opening credits, and "Getta Bloomin' Move On" (usually referred to as "The Self-Preservation Society", after its chorus) during the climactic car chase, which featured Caine among its singers. The film proved a success upon its release, earning critical acclaim amongst critics for the pe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Saint (TV Series)
''The Saint'' is a British mystery spy thriller television series that aired in the United Kingdom on ITV between 1962 and 1969. It was based on the literary character Simon Templar created by Leslie Charteris in the 1920s and featured in many novels over the years. In the television series, Templar was played by Roger Moore. Templar helps those whom conventional agencies are powerless or unwilling to protect, often using methods that skirt the law. Chief Inspector Claud Eustace Teal is his nominal nemesis who considers Templar a common criminal, but often grudgingly tolerates his actions for the greater good. NBC picked up the show as a summer replacement in its evening schedule in 1966 because of the strong performance in the United States of the first two series in first-run syndication. The programme, therefore, ended its run with both trans-Atlantic primetime scheduling and colour episodes. It also proved popular beyond the UK and US, eventually airing in over 60 countries ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sitting Target
''Sitting Target'', also known as ''Screaming Target'', is a 1972 British crime film directed by Douglas Hickox and mainly shot in various locations in London, including the Winstanley and York Road Estates. It stars Oliver Reed, Ian McShane and Jill St. John and was based on the 1970 novel by Laurence Henderson. Plot Harry Lomart, a convicted murderer, and Birdy Williams are convicts planning a breakout. Before the two men can abscond to another country, Lomart gets word that his wife Pat has been having an affair with another man and has become pregnant. The two men had made plans to lie low after their escape from jail, but Lomart decides to find and kill his wife and the man she has been seeing. A police inspector, Milton, is the man assigned to catch the two escaped convicts. Cast * Oliver Reed as Harry Lomart * Jill St. John as Pat Lomart * Ian McShane as Birdy Williams * Edward Woodward as Inspector Milton * Frank Finlay as Marty Gold * Freddie Jones as MacN ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Assault (film)
''Assault'' is a 1971 British thriller film directed by Sidney Hayers and starring Suzy Kendall, Frank Finlay, Freddie Jones, and Lesley-Anne Down; David Essex also has a small role. It is based on the 1962 novel ''The Ravine'' by Kendal Young, and tells about a police attempt to track down a dangerous rapist/killer on the loose. In the U.S., it was retitled ''In the Devil's Garden''. Premise After a schoolgirl is raped on her way home from school, police move in to investigate the case. After a further girl is attacked and killed, they call in the assistance of a doctor and a local schoolteacher to help solve the case. Cast * Suzy Kendall as Julie West * Frank Finlay as Det. Chief Supt. Velyan * Freddie Jones as Reporter * James Laurenson as Greg Lomax * Lesley-Anne Down as Tessa Hurst * Tony Beckley as Leslie Sanford * Anthony Ainley as Mr. Bartell * Dilys Hamlett as Mrs. Sanford * James Cosmo as Det. Sgt. Beale * Patrick Jordan as Sgt. Milton * Allan Cuthbertson as Coroner ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Get Carter
''Get Carter'' is a 1971 British crime film written and directed by Mike Hodges in his directorial debut and starring Michael Caine, Ian Hendry, John Osborne, Britt Ekland and Bryan Mosley. Based on Ted Lewis's 1970 novel ''Jack's Return Home'', the film follows the eponymous Jack Carter (Caine), a London gangster who returns to his hometown in North East England to learn about his brother's supposedly accidental death. Suspecting foul play, and with vengeance on his mind, he investigates and interrogates, regaining a feel for the city and its hardened-criminal element. Producer Michael Klinger optioned Lewis's novel shortly after its publication and made a deal with the ailing Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) to finance and release the film, making ''Get Carter'' the last project to be approved by the studio's Borehamwood division before its closure. The production went from novel to finished film in eight months, with principal photography taking place from July to September 1970 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Lost Continent (1968 Film)
''The Lost Continent'' is a 1968 adventure film made by Hammer Films and Seven Arts featuring Eric Porter, Hildegard Knef, Suzanna Leigh, Tony Beckley, and James Cossins. The film was produced, directed and written by Michael Carreras based on Dennis Wheatley's novel ''Uncharted Seas'' (1938). The film was called "the strangest film to come out of the Hammer Studios". The film sees the crew and passengers of the dilapidated tramp steamer ''Corita'' heading from Freetown to Caracas. While the passengers all have their own reasons for getting out of Africa, the captain of the ship is also eager to leave, as he is smuggling a dangerous explosive cargo. Whilst en route to South America the ship is holed and eventually what's left of the crew and passengers find themselves marooned in a mist-enshrouded Sargasso Sea surrounded by killer seaweed, murderous crustaceans and previously marooned descendants of Spanish Conquistadores and pirates. Plot Captain Lansen reads the Bu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
When A Stranger Calls (1979 Film)
''When a Stranger Calls'' is a 1979 American psychological horror film written and directed by Fred Walton and co-written by Steve Feke. It stars Carol Kane, Colleen Dewhurst, Tony Beckley and Charles Durning. The film derives its story from the classic folk legend of "the babysitter and the man upstairs". The film has developed a large cult following over time because of the first 20 minutes, now consistently regarded as one of the scariest openings in film history. The first 12 minutes of Wes Craven's ''Scream'' (1996) is an homage to the opening of ''When a Stranger Calls''. The film was released in the United States on September 28, 1979, by Columbia Pictures. It was commercially successful, grossing $20 million at the box office. It received a mixed critical reception, with many praising the opening scene and performances, but criticism for its writing and lack of scares. It was followed by the 1993 made-for-cable sequel ''When a Stranger Calls Back'' and a remake in 2006. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Fiend (film)
''The Fiend'' (also known as ''Beware My Brethren'') is a 1972 British horror film produced and directed by Robert Hartford-Davis and starring Ann Todd, Tony Beckley and Patrick Magee. The film is set against a background of religious fanaticism and, as with other films directed by Hartford-Davis, also includes elements of the sexploitation genre of the early 1970s. ''The Fiend'' as originally released runs for 98 minutes, but an edited version of 87 minutes (removing most of its more graphic content) was produced for the American market. The film was released on DVD in 2005; however the DVD uses the cut version. Plot Widow Birdy Wemys has become a devoted member of a fundamentalist fire-and-brimstone religious sect called "the Brethren", led by the charismatic Minister. Birdy has turned her sizeable home over to the Brethren for use as a church and a recruiting ground, and her son Kenny has also fallen under their spell. Kenny is a troubled individual, dominated by his overbe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Long Day's Dying
''The Long Day's Dying'' is a 1968 British Techniscope war film directed by Peter Collinson, based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Alan White and starring David Hemmings. It was listed to compete at the 1968 Cannes Film Festival, but the festival was cancelled due to the events of May 1968 in France. The film was then able to compete at the 1968 San Sebastián International Film Festival, where it won its top prize, the Golden Shell for Best Film. Plot Three British paratroopers are cut off from their unit and are lost behind enemy lines. Sheltering in a deserted farmhouse, they are awaiting the return of their Sergeant who has ventured out in an attempt to locate their unit. The three soldiers are Tom, a world-weary cynical veteran, John, a middle-class educated thinker who despises war and Cliff, an eager soldier who loves his work. All three are highly trained professional killers who, regardless of their own personal thoughts, do not hesitate to perform their duties. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Penthouse (1967 Film)
''The Penthouse'' is a 1967 British satirical drama thriller film directed by Peter Collinson. It stars Terence Morgan and Suzy Kendall and was based on a 1964 play ''The Meter Man'' by Scott Forbes. Plot Bruce Victor ( Terence Morgan), a real estate agent, is a married man having an affair with Barbara (Suzy Kendall). They are staying in a penthouse apartment that they've rented. One morning, two men, Tom and Dick ( Tony Beckley and Norman Rodway, respectively), who claim to be meter men and that Harry is downstairs, arrive but Barbara then realizes that they are thieves when they tie Bruce up to a chair. When she screams for help, they violate her with drugs and alcohol. Barbara then performs a striptease for them and Dick later has sex with her. After Tom and Dick finally leave, Harry (Martine Beswick), a woman, who claims to be Tom and Dick's parole officer, arrives and brings them back up to make them apologize for what they did. However, the three then tie them both ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Peter Collinson (film Director)
Peter Collinson (1 April 1936 – 16 December 1980) was a British film director probably best remembered for directing ''The Italian Job'' (1969). Early life Peter Collinson was born in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire in 1936. His parents, an actress and a musician, separated when he was two years old; he was raised by his grandparents. From the age of eight until 14 he attended the Actor's Orphanage in Chertsey, Surrey, where he had the chance to write and act in many plays. Noël Coward, who was president of the orphanage at the time, became his godfather and helped him to obtain jobs in the entertainment industry, which was dramatized in the radio play '' Mr Bridger's Orphan'' by Marcy Kahan in 2013. (Collinson later directed Coward in his best-known film, ''The Italian Job'' (1969)). He auditioned for RADA but was rejected, so went to work for the New Cross Empire theatre when aged 14. He did a variety of theatrical jobs until 1954, when he was called up for national service. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chimes At Midnight
''Falstaff (Chimes at Midnight)'' (Spanish: ''Campanadas a medianoche'') is a 1966 period comedy-drama film directed by and starring Orson Welles. The Spanish-Swiss co-production was released in the United States as ''Chimes at Midnight'' and in most of Europe as ''Falstaff''. The film's plot centres on William Shakespeare's recurring character Sir John Falstaff and the father-son relationship he has with Prince Hal, who must choose between loyalty to his father, King Henry IV, or Falstaff. Welles said that the core of the film's story was "the betrayal of friendship." It stars Welles as Falstaff, Keith Baxter as Prince Hal, John Gielgud as Henry IV, Jeanne Moreau as Doll Tearsheet and Margaret Rutherford as Mistress Quickly. The script contains text from five of Shakespeare's plays; primarily ''Henry IV, Part 1'' and '' Henry IV, Part 2'', but also ''Richard II'', ''Henry V'', and ''The Merry Wives of Windsor''. Ralph Richardson's narration is taken from the works of chronic ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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