Harold Huth (20 January 1892 – 26 October 1967) was a British actor,

film director A film director controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the film crew and actors in the fulfilment of that vision. The director has a key role in choosing the cast members, p ...

and producer.

Biography

Early life

He was born in

Huddersfield Huddersfield is a market town in the Kirklees district in West Yorkshire, England. It is the administrative centre and largest settlement in the Kirklees district. The town is in the foothills of the Pennines. The River Holme's confluence into ...

Yorkshire Yorkshire ( ; abbreviated Yorks), formally known as the County of York, is a Historic counties of England, historic county in northern England and by far the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its large area in comparison with other Eng ...

, in 1892. He was a nephew of

Eva Moore Eva Moore (9 February 1868 – 27 April 1955) was an English actress. Her career on stage and in film spanned six decades, and she was active in the women's suffrage movement. In her 1923 book of reminiscences, ''Exits and Entrances'', she des ...

and a cousin of the actor

Roland Pertwee Roland Pertwee (15 May 1885 – 26 April 1963) was an English playwright, film and television screenwriter, director and actor. He was the father of ''Doctor Who'' actor Jon Pertwee and playwright and screenwriter Michael Pertwee. He was al ...

. For the first eighteen years of his professional life, Huth worked in the motor business.

Actor

Huth made his screen debut as an actor in the 1927 film '' One of the Best'', directed by T. Hayes Hunter at

Gainsborough Pictures Gainsborough Pictures was a British film studio based on the south bank of the Regent's Canal, in Poole Street, Hoxton in the former Metropolitan Borough of Shoreditch, north London. Gainsborough Studios was active between 1924 and 1951. The com ...

. He got the role in part due to the connections of Pertwee. Huth followed it up with the role of Captain Nolan in the film '' Balaclava'' about the

Charge of the Light Brigade The Charge of the Light Brigade was a failed military action involving the British light cavalry led by Lord Cardigan against Russian forces during the Battle of Balaclava on 25 October 1854 in the Crimean War. Lord Raglan had intended to se ...

. Huth went on to have roles in ''

A South Sea Bubble ''A South Sea Bubble'' is a 1928 British silent comedy adventure film directed by T. Hayes Hunter and starring Ivor Novello, Benita Hume and Alma Taylor. The screenplay concerns a group of adventurers who head to the Pacific Ocean to hunt f ...

'' (1928) with Ivor Novello, directed by Hunter; '' The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel'' (1928) with

Matheson Lang Matheson Alexander Lang (May 15, 1879 – April 11, 1948) was a Canadian-born stage and film actor and playwright in the early 20th century. He is best remembered for his performances roles in Great Britain in Shakespeare plays. Biography Lang w ...

, playing

Louis Antoine de Saint-Just Louis Antoine Léon de Saint-Just (; 25 August 17679 Thermidor, Year II 8 July 1794, was a French revolutionary, political philosopher, member and president of the French National Convention, a Jacobin club leader, and a major figure of the Fr ...

; and '' The Silver King'' (1929), directed by Hunter, with

Percy Marmont Percy Marmont (25 November 1883 – 3 March 1977) was an English film actor. Biography Marmont appeared in more than 80 films between 1916 and 1968. A veteran film actor by 1923, he scored a big hit that year in ''If Winter Comes'', later rem ...

and

Chili Bouchier Chili Bouchier (born Dorothy Irene Boucher; 12 September 1909 – 9 September 1999) was an English film actress who achieved success during the silent film era, and went on to many screen appearances with the advent of sound films, before progre ...

. Huth made his stage acting debut aged 36 on stage in ''The Truth Game'' with Ivor Novello.

Raymond Massey Raymond Hart Massey (August 30, 1896 – July 29, 1983) was a Canadian actor, known for his commanding, stage-trained voice. For his lead role in '' Abe Lincoln in Illinois'' (1940), Massey was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor. Amo ...

then cast him opposite

Fay Compton Virginia Lilian Emmeline Compton-Mackenzie, (; 18 September 1894 – 12 December 1978), known professionally as Fay Compton, was an English actress. She appeared in several films, and made many broadcasts, but was best known for her stage per ...

in ''

Dishonored Lady ''Dishonored Lady'' (also known as ''Sins of Madeleine'') is a 1947 American crime film directed by Robert Stevenson and starring Hedy Lamarr, Dennis O'Keefe and John Loder. It is based on the 1930 play ''Dishonored Lady'' by Edward Sheldon and ...

''. Huth had the male lead in ''

Downstream Downstream may refer to: * Downstream (bioprocess) * Downstream (manufacturing) * Downstream (networking) * Downstream (software development) * Downstream (petroleum industry) * Upstream and downstream (DNA), determining relative positions on DNA ...

'' (1929) opposite

, directed by Giuseppe Guarino. Huth made a third film with Bouchier, '' City of Play'' (1929). Huth had roles in '' Leave It to Me'' (1930); '' An Obvious Situation'' (1930), directed by Guarino; ''

Guilt Guilt may refer to: *Guilt (emotion), an emotion that occurs when a person feels that they have violated a moral standard *Culpability, a legal term *Guilt (law), a legal term Music *Guilt (album), ''Guilt'' (album), a 2009 album by Mims *Guilt ( ...

'' (1931), directed by

Reginald Fogwell Reginald Fogwell (23 November 1893, Dartmouth, Devon -1977) was a British film director, film producer, producer and screenwriter. Selected filmography Director * ''The Warning (1928 film), The Warning'' (1928) * ''Cross Roads (film), Cross Roads ...

; and ''

Bracelets A bracelet is an article of jewellery that is worn around the wrist. Bracelets may serve different uses, such as being worn as an ornament. When worn as ornaments, bracelets may have a supportive function to hold other items of decoration, suc ...

'' (1931). Huth starred in ''The Outsider'' (1930) on stage.

Edgar Wallace Richard Horatio Edgar Wallace (1 April 1875 – 10 February 1932) was a British writer. Born into poverty as an illegitimate London child, Wallace left school at the age of 12. He joined the army at age 21 and was a war correspondent during th ...

wrote the play ''

Smoky Cell ''Smoky Cell'' is a thriller play by the British writer Edgar Wallace first staged in 1930. In America a group of detectives hunt down a notorious racketeer. It ran for 103 performances at Wyndham's Theatre in the West End from 16 December 1930 ...

'' (1931) for Huth. He had the lead in '' The Outsider'' (1931), alongside Joan Barry, receiving much acclaim. He had a key support part in '' Down River'' (1931) with

Charles Laughton Charles Laughton (1 July 1899 – 15 December 1962) was a British actor. He was trained in London at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and first appeared professionally on the stage in 1926. In 1927, he was cast in a play with his future w ...

. Huth's first screenplay credit was in ''

Madame Guillotine ''Madame Guillotine'' is a 1931 British historical romance film directed by Reginald Fogwell and starring Madeleine Carroll, Brian Aherne and Henry Hewitt. It was shot at Isleworth Studios.Wood p.69 Plot summary During the French Revolutio ...

'' (1931), starring

Madeleine Carroll Edith Madeleine Carroll (26 February 1906 – 2 October 1987) was an English actress, popular both in Britain and America in the 1930s and 1940s. At the peak of her success in 1938, she was the world's highest-paid actress. Carroll is rememb ...

, and directed by Fogwell. Huth acted in ''

A Honeymoon Adventure ''A Honeymoon Adventure'' is a 1931 British thriller film directed by Maurice Elvey and starring Benita Hume, Peter Hannen and Harold Huth. Written in collaboration by Rupert Downing and Basil Dean, it The film was shot at Beaconsfield Studios ...

'' (1931); ''

Adventure An adventure is an exciting experience or undertaking that is typically bold, sometimes risky. Adventures may be activities with danger such as traveling, exploring, skydiving, mountain climbing, scuba diving, river rafting, or other extreme spo ...

'' (1931); ''

Aren't We All? ''Aren't We All?'' is a comic play by Frederick Lonsdale. At the core of the drawing room comedy's slim plot is the Hon. William Tatham who, having been consigned to the proverbial doghouse for a romantic indiscretion, is determined to catch hi ...

'' (1932) with

Gertrude Lawrence Gertrude Lawrence (4 July 1898 – 6 September 1952) was an English actress, singer, dancer and musical comedy performer known for her stage appearances in the West End of London and on Broadway in New York. Early life Lawrence was born Gertr ...

; and '' The First Mrs. Fraser'' (1932). He had the lead in '' The Flying Squad'' (1932); '' Sally Bishop'' (1932), directed by Hunter; and ''

The World, the Flesh, the Devil ''The World, the Flesh, the Devil'' is a 1932 British crime film directed by George A. Cooper and starring Harold Huth, Isla Bevan and Victor Stanley. It was based on a play by Laurence Cowen. It was shot at Beaconsfield and Twickenham Studios ...

'' (1932). Huth had support parts in ''

Rome Express ''Rome Express'' is a 1932 British thriller film directed by Walter Forde and starring Esther Ralston and Conrad Veidt. Based on a story by Clifford Grey, with a screenplay by Sidney Gilliat, the film is a tale about a European express train ...

'' (1932); ''

Discord Discord is a VoIP and instant messaging social platform. Users have the ability to communicate with voice calls, video calls, text messaging, media and files in private chats or as part of communities called "servers".The developer documenta ...

'' (1932); '' My Lucky Star'' (1933), with

Florence Desmond Florence Dawson (31 May 1905 – 16 January 1993), better known by her stage name Florence Desmond, was an English actress, comedian and impersonator. Biography Early life and career Born in London in 1905, Desmond was educated at the Dame A ...

; '' The Ghoul'' (1933), with

Boris Karloff William Henry Pratt (23 November 1887 – 2 February 1969), better known by his stage name Boris Karloff (), was an English actor. His portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in the horror film ''Frankenstein'' (1931) (his 82nd film) established h ...

and directed by Hunter; and '' The Camels Are Coming'' (1934) with

Jack Hulbert John Norman Hulbert (24 April 189225 March 1978) was a British actor, director, screenwriter and singer, specializing primarily in comedy productions, and often working alongside his wife (Dame) Cicely Courtneidge. Biography Born in Ely, Ca ...

. Huth quit acting to become head of casting for Gaumont British. He returned to acting briefly with a small role in ''

Take My Tip ''Take My Tip'' is a 1937 British musical comedy film directed by Herbert Mason (who stage managed some musical revues in the past), produced by Michael Balcon and starring Jack Hulbert, Cicely Courtneidge, Harold Huth and Frank Cellier. It ...

'' (1937) with Hulbert.

Director and Producer

Huth directed his first film, ''

Hell's Cargo ''Hell's Cargo'' is a 1939 British adventure film directed by Harold Huth and starring Walter Rilla, Kim Peacock and Robert Newton. It was made at Elstree Studios.Wood p.100 The film is a remake of the 1938 French hit '' Alert in the Mediterran ...

'' (1939), for

Associated British Picture Corporation Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC), originally British International Pictures (BIP), was a British film production, distribution and exhibition company active from 1927 until 1970 when it was absorbed into EMI. ABPC also owned appro ...

. He followed it with ''

Bulldog Sees It Through ''Bulldog Sees it Through'' is a 1940 British, black-and-white, mystery war film directed by Harold Huth and starring Jack Buchanan, Greta Gynt, Googie Withers, Ronald Shiner as Pug and Sebastian Shaw. Plot This is not a Bulldog Drummond ...

'' (1940) starring

Jack Buchanan Walter John Buchanan (2 April 1891 – 20 October 1957) was a Scottish theatre and film actor, singer, dancer, producer and director. He was known for three decades as the embodiment of the debonair man-about-town in the tradition of George G ...

, and ''

East of Piccadilly ''East of Piccadilly'' released in the US as ''The Strangler'' is a 1941 British mystery film based on a story by Gordon Beckles. It was directed by Harold Huth and starring Judy Campbell, Sebastian Shaw, Niall MacGinnis, Henry Edwards, Mar ...

'' (1941). Huth also moved into producing with ''

Busman's Honeymoon ''Busman's Honeymoon'' is a 1937 novel by Dorothy L. Sayers, her eleventh and last featuring Lord Peter Wimsey, and her fourth and last to feature Harriet Vane. Plot introduction Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane marry and go to spend thei ...

'' (1940), shot in Britain for

MGM Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and abbreviated as MGM, is an American film, television production, distribution and media company owned by Amazon through MGM Holdings, founded on April 17, 1924 a ...

starring Robert Montgomery. He worked as producer on '' "Pimpernel" Smith'' (1941) for

Leslie Howard Leslie Howard Steiner (3 April 18931 June 1943) was an English actor, director and producer.Obituary ''Variety'', 9 June 1943. He wrote many stories and articles for ''The New York Times'', ''The New Yorker'', and '' Vanity Fair'' and was one ...

and over at British Mercury he co-directed ''

Breach of Promise Breach of promise is a common law tort, abolished in many jurisdictions. It was also called breach of contract to marry,N.Y. Civil Rights Act article 8, §§ 80-A to 84. and the remedy awarded was known as heart balm. From at least the Middle ...

'' (1942). Huth returned to acting in ''

This Was Paris ''This Was Paris'' is a 1942 British Second World War spy film directed by John Harlow and starring Ann Dvorak, Ben Lyon and Griffith Jones. It was shot at Teddington Studios. Plot British Captain Bill Hamilton meets and is attracted to Ame ...

'' (1942) and MGM got him to produce another in England, ''

The Adventures of Tartu ''The Adventures of Tartu'' (alternate British title and American release title: ''Sabotage Agent'', also known as ''Tartu'') is a 1943 British Second World War spy film directed by Harold S. Bucquet and starring Robert Donat. It was a morale bo ...

'' (1943).

Gainsborough Pictures

Huth joined

, for whom he produced a melodrama, '' Love Story'' (1944), with

Margaret Lockwood Margaret Mary Day Lockwood, CBE (15 September 1916 – 15 July 1990), was an English actress. One of Britain's most popular film stars of the 1930s and 1940s, her film appearances included ''The Lady Vanishes'' (1938), ''Night Train to Munich' ...

Stewart Granger Stewart Granger (born James Lablache Stewart; 6 May 1913 – 16 August 1993) was a British film actor, mainly associated with heroic and romantic leading roles. He was a popular leading man from the 1940s to the early 1960s, rising to fame thr ...

and

Patricia Roc Patricia Roc (born Felicia Miriam Ursula Herold; 7 June 1915 – 30 December 2003) was an English film actress, popular in the Gainsborough melodramas such as ''Madonna of the Seven Moons'' (1945) and '' The Wicked Lady'' (1945), though she only ...

; it was a huge commercial success. Also popular were ''

They Were Sisters ''They Were Sisters'' is a 1945 British melodrama film directed by Arthur Crabtree for Gainsborough Pictures and starring James Mason and Phyllis Calvert. The film was produced by Harold Huth, with cinematography from Jack Cox and screenplay by ...

'' (1945), with James Mason and '' Caravan'' (1946) with Granger. Huth's last film for Gainsborough as producer, ''

The Root of All Evil Root of all evil or Root of evil may refer to: Music * ''The Root of All Evil'' (album), a 2009 album by Swedish death metal band Arch Enemy * ''The Root of All Evil'' (EP), Japanese work by all-female tribute band Iron Maidens * "The Root of Al ...

'' (1947), with

Phyllis Calvert Phyllis Hannah Murray-Hill (née Bickle; 18 February 1915 – 8 October 2002), known professionally as Phyllis Calvert, was an English film, stage and television actress. She was one of the leading stars of the Gainsborough melodramas of the 1 ...

, was less successful.

Independent producer

Huth's success at Gainsborough saw him receive an offer to set up his own company, Harold Huth Productions with

John Corfield John Corfield (1893–1953) was a British film producer.MacNab, Geoffrey (1993) ''J. Arthur Rank and the British Film Industry''. Routledge. p.15 For more than a decade he oversaw production at British National Films. Selected filmography * ''Tu ...

. He produced ''

The White Unicorn ''The White Unicorn'' is a 1947 British drama film directed by Bernard Knowles and starring Margaret Lockwood, Joan Greenwood, Ian Hunter and Dennis Price. Kyra Vayne appeared as the singer. It was made at Walton Studios by the independent p ...

'' (1947) with fellow Gainsborough alumni Lockwood and

Bernard Knowles Bernard Knowles (20 February 1900 – 12 February 1975) was an English film director, producer, cinematographer and screenwriter. Born in Manchester, Knowles worked with Alfred Hitchcock on numerous occasions before the director emigrated to H ...

and produced and directed '' Nightbeat'' (1947). Huth and Corfeld then helped set up Burnham Productions where Huth produced and directed'' My Sister and I'' (1948), with

Sally Ann Howes Sally Ann Howes (20 July 1930 – 19 December 2021) was an English actress and singer. Her career on screen, stage and television spanned six decades. She is best known for the role of Truly Scrumptious in the 1968 musical film ''Chitty Chitty ...

, and ''

Look Before You Love ''Look Before You Love'' is a 1948 British drama film directed by Harold Huth and starring Margaret Lockwood, Griffith Jones and Maurice Denham. Plot summary A woman working in the British Embassy in Brazil falls in love and marries a man, bu ...

'' (1948) with

Later career

Huth produced '' Blackmailed'' (1951), directed by

Marc Allégret Marc Allégret (22 December 1900 – 3 November 1973) was a French screenwriter, photographer and film director. Biography Born in Basel, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland, he was the elder brother of Yves Allégret. Marc was educated to be a lawyer in ...

, in which he also had a small role. He also appeared in ''

Sing Along with Me ''Sing Along with Me '' is a 1952 British musical film directed by Peter Graham Scott and starring Donald Peers, Dodo Watts and Dennis Vance. The screenplay concerns a grocer, played by Donald Peers, who wins a radio singing competition and is ...

'' (1952). Huth directed for television, notably ''

Douglas Fairbanks Presents ''Douglas Fairbanks Presents'' is a 1953-1956 syndicated half-hour dramatic anthology series. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was the host, and he sometimes starred in episodes. It was also known as ''Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Presents''. A total of 117 episo ...

'' (1953–57). He and Fairbanks produced '' Police Dog'' (1955) and '' The Hostage'' (1956); Huth directed the latter. Huth went to work as an associate producer at

Warwick Films Warwick Films was a film company founded by film producers Irving Allen and Albert R. Broccoli in London in 1951. The name was taken from the Warwick Hotel in London.Broccoli, Albert R., Zec Donald. ''When the Snow Melts''. Boxtree. 1998 Their f ...

for

Irwin Allen Irwin Allen (born Irwin O. Cohen, June 12, 1916 – November 2, 1991) was an American film and television producer and director, known for his work in science fiction, then later as the "Master of Disaster" for his work in the disaster film gen ...

and

Albert Broccoli Albert Romolo Broccoli ( ; April 5, 1909 – June 27, 1996), nicknamed "Cubby", was an American film producer who made more than 40 motion pictures throughout his career. Most of the films were made in the United Kingdom and often filmed at ...

, helping make '' The Man Inside'' (1958), ''

Idol on Parade ''Idol on Parade'' is a 1959 British comedy movie produced by Warwick Films, directed by John Gilling and featuring William Bendix, Anthony Newley, Sid James and Lionel Jeffries. It was based on John Antrobus' first screenplay. p. 44 The movie ...

'' (1959), ''

The Bandit of Zhobe ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...

'' (1959), ''

Jazz Boat ''Jazz Boat'' is a 1960 British musical comedy film directed by Ken Hughes and starring Anthony Newley, Anne Aubrey, Lionel Jeffries and big band leader Ted Heath and his orchestra. Many of the cast and the same director then made ''In the Nick ...

'' (1960), ''

The Trials of Oscar Wilde ''The Trials of Oscar Wilde'', also known as ''The Man with the Green Carnation'' and ''The Green Carnation'', is a 1960 British drama film based on the libel and subsequent criminal cases involving Oscar Wilde and the Marquess of Queensberry. I ...

'' (1960) and ''

In the Nick ''In the Nick'' is a 1960 British comedy film directed by Ken Hughes and starring Anthony Newley, Anne Aubrey, Bernie Winters, James Booth and Harry Andrews. In the film, a gang of incompetent criminals are placed in a special type of new priso ...

'' (1961). He was credited as a writer on ''

The Hellions ''The Hellions'' is a 1961 British adventure film directed by Ken Annakin starring Richard Todd, Anne Aubrey, Lionel Jeffries, Ronald Fraser and Colin Blakely that was set and filmed in South Africa. Plot A lone law enforcement officer, Sam ...

'' (1961). He retired in 1961. He and

Peter Finch Frederick George Peter Ingle Finch (28 September 191614 January 1977) was an English-Australian actor of theatre, film and radio. Born in London, he emigrated to Australia as a teenager and was raised in Sydney, where he worked in vaudeville ...

did discuss making a film about

Oliver Cromwell Oliver Cromwell (25 April 15993 September 1658) was an English politician and military officer who is widely regarded as one of the most important statesmen in English history. He came to prominence during the 1639 to 1651 Wars of the Three Ki ...

but it was not made. Huth died in 1967 in London."In the Picture" ''Sight and Sound''; London Vol. 37, Iss. 1, (Winter 1967): 17.

Selected filmography

Actor

* '' One of the Best'' (1927) - Adjutant * '' Balaclava'' (1928) - Capt. Nolan, Adjutant * ''

'' (1928) - Pirate * '' The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel'' (1928) - St. Just * ''

Sir or Madam ''Sir or Madam'' (German: ''Ossi hat die Hosen an'') is a 1928 British-German silent comedy film directed by Carl Boese and starring Margot Armand, Percy Marmont and Ossi Oswalda. It was based on the 1923 novel '' Sir or Madame'' by Berta Ruck ...

'' (1928) * '' The Silver King'' (1929) - Geoffrey Ware * ''

'' (1929) - Peter Carras * '' City of Play'' (1929) - Arezzi * '' Leave It to Me'' (1930, Short) - Slade * '' An Obvious Situation'' (1930) - Gustave * ''

'' (1931) - Tony Carleton * ''

'' (1931) - Maurice Dupont * '' The Outsider'' (1931) - Anton Ragatzy * '' Down River'' (1931) - John Durham * ''

'' (1931) - Walter Creason * ''Adventure'' (1931) * ''

'' (1932) - Karl Van der Hyde * '' The First Mrs. Fraser'' (1932) - Mario * '' The Flying Squad'' (1932) - Mark McGill * '' Sally Bishop'' (1932) - John Traill * ''

'' (1932) - George Grant * ''

'' (1932) - Nicholas Brophy * ''

'' (1933) - Lord Quilhampton * '' My Lucky Star'' (1933) - Hero * '' The Ghoul'' (1933) - Aga Ben Dragore * '' The Camels are Coming'' (1934) - Dr. Zhiga * ''

'' (1937) - Buchan * ''

'' (1942) - Count Raul De La Vague * '' Blackmailed'' (1951) - Hugh Sainsbury * ''

'' (1952) - (final film role)

Director

* ''

'' (1939) * ''

'' (1940) * ''

'' (1941) * ''

'' (1942) * ''

'' (1945) * '' Night Beat'' (1947) * '' My Sister and I'' (1948) * ''

'' (1948) * '' The Hostage'' (1956)

Producer

* ''

'' (1940) * '' "Pimpernel" Smith'' (1941) * ''

'' (1943) * '' Love Story'' (1944) * ''

'' (1945) * '' Caravan'' (1946) * ''

'' (1947) * ''

'' (1947) * '' Night Beat'' (1947) * '' My Sister and I'' (1948) * ''

'' (1948) * '' Blackmailed'' (1951) * '' Police Dog'' (1955) * '' The Man Inside'' (1958) * ''

'' (1959) * ''

'' (1960) * ''

'' (1961)

Screenwriter

* ''

'' (1931) * ''

'' (1961)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Huth, Harold English male film actors English male silent film actors English film producers English film directors 1892 births 1967 deaths Male actors from Huddersfield 20th-century English male actors 20th-century English businesspeople