Roy William Neill (4 September 1887 – 14 December 1946) was an Irish-born American film director best known for directing the last eleven of the fourteen

Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes () is a fictional detective created by British author Arthur Conan Doyle. Referring to himself as a " consulting detective" in the stories, Holmes is known for his proficiency with observation, deduction, forensic science and ...

films starring

Basil Rathbone Philip St. John Basil Rathbone MC (13 June 1892 – 21 July 1967) was a South African-born English actor. He rose to prominence in the United Kingdom as a Shakespearean stage actor and went on to appear in more than 70 films, primarily costume ...

and

Nigel Bruce William Nigel Ernle Bruce (4 February 1895 – 8 October 1953) was a British character actor on stage and screen. He was best known for his portrayal of Dr. Watson in a series of films and in the radio series ''The New Adventures of Sherlock ...

, made between 1943 and 1946 and released by

Universal Studios Universal Pictures (legally Universal City Studios LLC, also known as Universal Studios, or simply Universal; common metonym: Uni, and formerly named Universal Film Manufacturing Company and Universal-International Pictures Inc.) is an Ameri ...

Biography

With his father as the captain, Roy William Neill was born on a ship off the coast of

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

. His birth name was Roland de Gostrie. Neill began directing silent films in 1917 and went on to helm 111 films, 55 of them silent. Although most of Neill's films were low-budget

B-movies A B movie or B film is a low-budget commercial motion picture. In its original usage, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the term more precisely identified films intended for distribution as the less-publicized bottom half of a double feature ...

, he was known for directing films with meticulously lit scenes with carefully layered shadows that would become the style of ''

film noir Film noir (; ) is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and motivations. The 1940s and 1950s are generally regarded as the "classic period" of American ' ...

'' in the late 1940s. In fact, his last film, '' Black Angel'' (1946), is considered a ''film noir''. He was also credited in some works as R. William Neill, Roy W. Neill, and Roy Neill. Neill lived in the United States for most of his career and was a US citizen. He did go to London from 1935 until 1940 where better opportunities existed for American directors. During this period, British film producer Edward Black hired Neill to direct ''

The Lady Vanishes ''The Lady Vanishes'' is a 1938 British mystery thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Margaret Lockwood and Michael Redgrave. Written by Sidney Gilliat and Frank Launder, based on the 1936 novel ''The Wheel Spins'' by Ethel L ...

''. However, due to delays in production, Black hired

Alfred Hitchcock Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock (13 August 1899 – 29 April 1980) was an English filmmaker. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of cinema. In a career spanning six decades, he directed over 50 featur ...

to direct instead. Neill died in

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

, England, from a

heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which may tr ...

Filmography

*'' The Girl, Glory'' (1917) *''

The Mother Instinct ''The Mother Instinct'' is a 1917 American silent drama film directed by Lambert Hillyer and Roy William Neill and starring Enid Bennett, Rowland V. Lee and Margery Wilson.Golden p.33 Cast * Enid Bennett as Eleanor Coutierre * Rowland V. Lee ...

'' (1917) *''

They're Off ''Goofy'' is a series of American Animated cartoon, animated comedy short films produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, Walt Disney Productions. The series started in 1939 with ''Goofy and Wilbur'' and ended in 1953 with ''How to Sleep (1953 f ...

'' (1917) *''

The Price Mark ''The Price Mark'' is a 1917 American drama silent film directed by Roy William Neill and written by John B. Ritchie. The film stars Dorothy Dalton, William Conklin, Thurston Hall, Adele Farrington, Edwin Wallock and Dorcas Matthews. The film ...

'' (1917) *''

Love Letters A love letter is an expression of love in written form. However delivered, the letter may be anything from a short and simple message of love to a lengthy explanation and description of feelings. History One of the oldest references to a l ...

'' (1917) *''

Flare-Up Sal ''Flare-Up Sal'' is a surviving 1918 American silent drama film directed by Roy William Neill and starring Dorothy Dalton. Thomas H. Ince produced and released through Paramount Pictures. Cast * Dorothy Dalton as Flare-Up Sal *Thurston Hall as ...

'' (1918) *'' Love Me'' (1918) *'' Free and Equal'' (1918) *''

Tyrant Fear ''Tyrant Fear'' is a 1918 American silent drama film directed by Roy William Neill, written by R. Cecil Smith, and starring Dorothy Dalton, Thurston Hall, Melbourne MacDowell, William Conklin, Lou Salter, and Carmen Phillips. It was released on ...

'' (1918) *''

The Mating of Marcella ''The Mating of Marcella'' is a lost 1918 American drama silent film directed by Roy William Neill, and written by Joseph F. Poland and R. Cecil Smith. The film stars Dorothy Dalton, Thurston Hall, Juanita Hansen, William Conklin, Donald MacDo ...

'' (1918) *''

The Kaiser's Shadow ''The Kaiser's Shadow'' is a 1918 American silent drama film directed by Roy William Neill and written by Octavus Roy Cohen and J.U. Giesy. The film stars Dorothy Dalton, Thurston Hall, Edward Cecil, Leota Lorraine, Otto Hoffman, and Charles K ...

'' (1918) *'' Green Eyes'' (1918) *''

Vive la France! ''Vive la France!'' is an extant 1918 silent film war drama directed by Roy William Neill and starring Dorothy Dalton. It was distributed by Famous Players-Lasky and Paramount Pictures. Plot Cast * Dorothy Dalton - Genevieve Bouchette *Edmund ...

'' (1918) *''

Puppy Love Puppy love, also known as a crush, is an informal term for feelings of romantic love, often felt during childhood and early adolescence. It is an infatuation usually developed by someone's looks and attractiveness at first sight. Such feelings f ...

'' (1919) *'' Charge It to Me'' (1919) *''

Trixie from Broadway Trixie from Broadway is a 1919 silent film drama directed by Roy William Neill and starring Margarita Fischer and Emory Johnson Alfred Emory Johnson (March 16, 1894 – April 18, 1960) was an American actor, director, producer, and writer. ...

'' (1919) *''

The Career of Katherine Bush ''The Career of Katherine Bush'' is a lost 1919 American silent drama film produced by Famous Players-Lasky and distributed by Paramount Pictures. Roy William Neill directed and Catherine Calvert starred. The film is based on a 1916 Elinor Glyn no ...

'' (1919) *''

The Bandbox ''The Bandbox'' is a 1919 American silent film, silent mystery film, mystery crime film directed by Roy William Neill and starring Doris Kenyon, Walter McEwen (actor), Walter McEwen and Gretchen Hartman.Connelly p. 319 It is based on the 1912 nove ...

'' (1919) *''

The Woman Gives ''The Woman Gives'' is a 1920 American silent drama film directed by Roy William Neill and starring Norma Talmadge, John Halliday, and Edmund Lowe. Plot As described in a film magazine, artist Inga Sonderson (Talmadge) and her betrothed sculp ...

'' (1920) *'' The Inner Voice'' (1920) *''

Yes or No? ''Yes or No?'' is a 1920 American silent drama film directed by Roy William Neill and starring Norma Talmadge in a duo role. It is based on the 1917 Broadway play ''Yes or No'' by Arthur Goodrich. Talmadge and Joe Schenck produced the picture ...

'' (1920) *''

Good References ''Good References'' is a 1920 American silent romantic comedy drama film directed by Roy William Neill and starring Constance Talmadge, Vincent Coleman, Ned Sparks, Nellie Parker Spaulding, Mona Lisa, and Matthew Betz. It is based on the novel ...

'' (1920) *'' Dangerous Business'' (1920) *'' Something Different'' (1920) *''

The Idol of the North ''The Idol of the North'' is a lost 1921 American silent drama film directed by Roy William Neill and written by Frank S. Beresford and Tom McNamara based upon a story by J. Clarkson Miller. The film stars Dorothy Dalton, Edwin August, E.J. R ...

'' (1921) *''

The Conquest of Canaan ''The Conquest of Canaan'' is a 1921 American silent drama film produced by Famous Players-Lasky and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It starred Thomas Meighan and Doris Kenyon and was directed by Roy William Neill. It was filmed in Ashevi ...

'' (1921) *''

The Iron Trail ''The Iron Trail'' is a 1921 American silent adventure film directed by Roy William Neill and written by Dorothy Farnum. The film stars Wyndham Standing, Thurston Hall, Reginald Denny, Alma Tell, and Harlan Knight. The film was released on Oct ...

'' (1921) *''

What's Wrong with the Women? ''What's Wrong with the Women?'' is 1922 American silent Jazz Age drama film, directed by Roy William Neill, produced by Daniel Carson Goodman, and starring Wilton Lackaye, Barbara Castleton, and Constance Bennett. It is not known whether t ...

'' (1922) *'' The Man From M.A.R.S.'' (1922) *'' Toilers of the Sea'' (1923) *'' By Divine Right'' (1924) *''

Vanity's Price ''Vanity's Price'' is a lost 1924 American silent drama film directed by Roy William Neill and starring Anna Q. Nilsson. It was produced by the Gothic Productions company and released by FBO.Broken Laws ''Broken Laws'' is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by Roy William Neill, remarkable for the appearance of Dorothy Davenport, who is billed as "Mrs. Wallace Reid".

'' (1924) *''

Percy The English surname Percy is of Norman origin, coming from Normandy to England, United Kingdom. It was from the House of Percy, Norman lords of Northumberland, derives from the village of Percy-en-Auge in Normandy. From there, it came into use ...

'' (1925) *''

Marriage in Transit ''Marriage in Transit'' is a 1925 American silent comedy film directed by Roy William Neill. It stars Edmund Lowe and Carole Lombard. Plot As described in a film magazine review, a Secret Service agent is assigned to recover a government code ...

'' (1925) *''

The Kiss Barrier ''The Kiss Barrier'' is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by Roy William Neill and written by Eugenie Magnus Ingleton. The film stars Edmund Lowe, Claire Adams, Diana Miller, Marion Harlan, Thomas R. Mills, and Charles Clary. The fi ...

'' (1925) *'' Greater Than a Crown'' (1925) *'' The Cowboy and the Countess'' (1926) *'' The Fighting Buckaroo'' (1926) *''

A Man Four-Square ''A Man Four-Square'' is a lost 1926 American silent Western film directed by Roy William Neill and starring Buck Jones, Marion Harlan and Harry Woods.Solomon p.377 Cast * Buck Jones as Craig Norton * Marion Harlan as Polly * Harry Woods ...

'' (1926) *''

Black Paradise ''Black Paradise'' is a 1926 American silent adventure film directed by Roy William Neill and starring Madge Bellamy, Leslie Fenton, and Edmund Lowe Edmund Dantes Lowe (March 3, 1890 – April 21, 1971) was an American actor. His formati ...

'' (1926) *'' The City'' (1926) *''

Marriage Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between ...

'' (1927) *''

The Arizona Wildcat ''The Arizona Wildcat'' is a 1939 American comedy Western film directed by Herbert I. Leeds and starring Leo Carrillo and Jane Withers. Plot The orphaned Mary Jane Patterson ( Jane Withers) is under the guardianship of Manuel Hernandez (Leo ...

'' (1927) *'' The Lady of Victories'' (1928) - short *'' The Czarina's Secret'' (1928) - short *''

San Francisco Nights ''San Francisco Nights'' is a 1928 American silent drama film directed by Roy William Neill and starring Percy Marmont, Mae Busch, and George E. Stone.''Guide to the Silent Years of American Cinema'', p. 60 Cast * Percy Marmont as John Vicker ...

'' (1928) *'' The Virgin Queen'' (1928) - short *''

The Olympic Hero ''The Olympic Hero'' is a 1928 American silent film, silent comedy film, comedy sports film directed by Roy William Neill and starring Charles Paddock, Julanne Johnston and Crauford Kent. It incorporated some real footage from the 1924 Summer Oly ...

'' (1928) *'' Lady Raffles'' (1928) *''

Cleopatra Cleopatra VII Philopator ( grc-gre, Κλεοπάτρα Φιλοπάτωρ}, "Cleopatra the father-beloved"; 69 BC10 August 30 BC) was Queen of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt from 51 to 30 BC, and its last active ruler.She was also a ...

'' (1928) - short *'' The Heart of General Robert E. Lee'' (1928) - short *'' The Viking'' (1928) *''

Madame DuBarry Jeanne Bécu, Comtesse du Barry (19 August 1743 – 8 December 1793) was the last ''maîtresse-en-titre'' of King Louis XV of France. She was executed, by guillotine, during the French Revolution due to accounts of treason—particularly being ...

'' (1928) - short *'' Behind Closed Doors'' (1929) *''

Wall Street Wall Street is an eight-block-long street in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan in New York City. It runs between Broadway in the west to South Street and the East River in the east. The term "Wall Street" has become a metonym for t ...

'' (1929) *''

The Melody Man ''The Melody Man'' is a 1930 American Pre-Code drama musical film produced and distributed by Columbia Pictures. It was directed by Roy William Neill and starred John St. Polis, Alice Day and William Collier, Jr. The story is based on a Broad ...

'' (1930) *'' Cock 'o the Walk'' (1930) -

lost film A lost film is a feature or short film that no longer exists in any studio archive, private collection, public archive or the U.S. Library of Congress. Conditions During most of the 20th century, U.S. copyright law required at least one copy o ...

*'' Just Like Heaven'' (1930) *'' Fifty Fathoms Deep'' (1931) *'' The Avenger'' (1931) *''

The Good Bad Girl ''The Good Bad Girl'' is a 1931 American romance film based on a novel by Winifred Van Duzer. Cast * Mae Clarke as Marcia Cameron * James Hall as Bob Henderson * Marie Prevost as Trixie Barnes * Robert Ellis as Dapper Dan Tyler * Nance O'Neil ...

'' (1931) *'' Fifty Fathoms Deep'' (1931) *'' The Menace'' (1932) *''

American Madness ''American Madness'' is a 1932 American pre-Code film directed by Frank Capra and starring Walter Huston as a New York banker embroiled in scandal. Plot At the Union National Bank, the directors are concerned because they think that bank presi ...

'' (1932) - uncredited *'' That's My Boy'' (1932) *'' The Circus Queen Murder'' (1933) *''

As the Devil Commands ''As the Devil Commands'' is a 1932 American pre-Code film written by Jo Swerling from a story by Keene Thompson. It is directed by Roy William Neill and stars Alan Dinehart, Mae Clarke and Neil Hamilton. Plot When John Duncan becomes ill, he ...

'' (1933) *''

Fury of the Jungle ''Fury of the Jungle'' is a 1933 American adventure film directed by Roy William Neill and starring Donald Cook, Peggy Shannon and Alan Dinehart. It was co-written by Dore Schary from a story by Horace McCoy. Plot A love triangle story set in ...

'' (1933) *'' Above the Clouds'' (1933) *''

The Ninth Guest ''The Ninth Guest'', sometimes abbreviated as ''The 9th Guest'', is a 1934 American pre-Code murder mystery film directed by Roy William Neill and starring Donald Cook and Genevieve Tobin. The film is an adaptation of the 1930 Broadway play ...

'' (1934) *''

Whirlpool A whirlpool is a body of rotating water produced by opposing currents or a current running into an obstacle. Small whirlpools form when a bath or a sink is draining. More powerful ones formed in seas or oceans may be called maelstroms ( ). ''Vo ...

'' (1934) *''

Black Moon Black Moon may refer to: * Black moon, one of four astronomical events involving new or dark moons * Black Moon (person) (c. 1821–1893), Lakota (American Indian) headman * Black Moon or Lilith (hypothetical moon), a hypothetical natural satelli ...

'' (1934) *''

Blind Date A blind date is a social engagement between two people who have not met, usually arranged by a mutual acquaintance. Structure A blind date is arranged for by a mutual acquaintance of both participants. The two people who take part in the blind ...

'' (1934) *''

I'll Fix It ''I'll Fix It'' is a 1934 American romantic comedy film directed by Roy William Neill and starring Jack Holt, Mona Barrie and Winnie Lightner. An extremely powerful machine politics fixer is frustrated when his attempts to secure his younger br ...

'' (1934) *''

Jealousy Jealousy generally refers to the thoughts or feelings of insecurity, fear, and concern over a relative lack of possessions or safety. Jealousy can consist of one or more emotions such as anger, resentment, inadequacy, helplessness or disgus ...

'' (1934) *'' Mills of the Gods'' (1934) *'' Eight Bells'' (1935) *'' The Black Room'' (1935) *'' The Lone Wolf Returns'' (1935) *''

Gypsy The Romani (also spelled Romany or Rromani , ), colloquially known as the Roma, are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group, traditionally nomadic itinerants. They live in Europe and Anatolia, and have diaspora populations located worldwide, with sign ...

'' (1937) *''

Doctor Syn The Reverend Doctor Christopher Syn is the smuggler hero of a series of novels by Russell Thorndike. The first book, ''Doctor Syn: A Tale of the Romney Marsh'' was published in 1915. The story idea came from smuggling in the 18th-century Romney ...

'' (1937) *''

Quiet Please Quiet Please may refer to: *'' Quiet, Please'', an American fantasy and horror radio program *'' Quiet Please!: Bawal ang Maingay'', a Filipino television game show *'' Quiet Please... The New Best of Nick Lowe'', an album by Nick Lowe *''Quiet Ple ...

'' (1938) *'' The Viper'' (1938) *''

Simply Terrific ''Simply Terrific'' is a 1938 British comedy film directed by Roy William Neill and starring Claude Hulbert, Reginald Purdell and Patricia Medina.Wood, Linda. ''British Films, 1927-1939''. British Film Institute, 1986. p.96 It was made at Teddi ...

'' (1938) *'' Double or Quits'' (1938) *''

Thank Evans ''Thank Evans'' is a 1938 British comedy film directed by Roy William Neill and starring Max Miller. The film is sequel to '' Educated Evans'' (1936), with Miller, Hal Walters and Albert Whelan all returning to reprise their roles as the haples ...

'' (1938) British *'' Many Tanks Mr. Atkins'' (1938) *'' Everything Happens to Me'' (1938) *''

A Gentleman's Gentleman ''A Gentleman's Gentleman'' is a 1939 British comedy film directed by Roy William Neill and starring Eric Blore, Marie Lohr and Peter Coke. It was made at Teddington Studios and was based on a play by Philip MacDonald. Cast * Eric Blore as He ...

'' (1939) *'' Murder Will Out'' (1939) *'' His Brother's Keeper'' (1940) *'' Hoots Mon!'' (1940) *'' The Good Old Days'' (1939) *''

Eyes of the Underworld Eyes of the Underworld may refer to: * Eyes of the Underworld (1942 film) ''Eyes of the Underworld'' is a 1942 American film noir crime film directed by Roy William Neill starring Richard Dix, Wendy Barrie and Lon Chaney Jr.Weaver, Brunas & Bru ...

'' (1942) *'' Madame Spy'' (1942) *''

Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon ''Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon'' (1942) is the fourth in the Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce series of 14 Sherlock Holmes films which updated the characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to the then present day. The film is credited as ...

'' (1942) *''

Sherlock Holmes in Washington Sherlock may refer to: Arts and entertainment * Sherlock Holmes, a fictional detective created by Arthur Conan Doyle ** ''Sherlock'' (TV series), a BBC TV series that started in 2010 ** Sherlock Hemlock, a Muppet from the TV show ''Sesame Street ...

'' (1943) *''

Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man ''Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man'' is a 1943 American horror film directed by Roy William Neill and starring Lon Chaney Jr. as the Wolf Man and Bela Lugosi as Frankenstein's monster. This was the first of a series of later called "monster rallie ...

'' (1943) *''

Rhythm of the Islands ''Rhythm of the Islands'', also known as ''Isle of Romance'', is a 1943 American film directed by Roy William Neill starring Jane Frazee. Plot summary Two ambitious guys from Brooklyn, Tommy Jones and Eddie Dolan, get the idea of buying a trop ...

'' (1943) *''

Sherlock Holmes Faces Death ''Sherlock Holmes Faces Death'' is the sixth film in the Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce series of Sherlock Holmes films. Made in 1943, it is a loose adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Holmes 1893 story "The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual." I ...

'' (1943) *''

The Spider Woman ''The Spider Woman'' (alternatively titled ''Sherlock Holmes and the Spider Woman'' and ''Spider Woman'') is a 1943 mystery film starring Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson, the seventh of fourteen such films the p ...

'' (1943) *''

The Scarlet Claw ''The Scarlet Claw'' is a 1944 American mystery thriller film based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes detective stories. Directed by Roy William Neill and starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, it is the eighth film of the Rathbone/ ...

'' (1944) *''

The Pearl of Death ''The Pearl of Death'' is a 1944 Sherlock Holmes film starring Basil Rathbone as Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson, the ninth of fourteen such films the pair made. The story is loosely based on Conan Doyle's short story "The Adventure of the ...

'' (1944) *''

Gypsy Wildcat ''Gypsy Wildcat'' is a 1944 Technicolor adventure film directed by Roy William Neil starring Maria Montez, Jon Hall and Peter Coe. It was co-written by James M. Cain. Plot A king's messenger ( Jon Hall) protects a Gypsy dancer (Maria Montez) ...

'' (1944) *''

Sherlock Holmes and the House of Fear ''The House of Fear'' is a 1945 crime film directed by Roy William Neill. It is loosely based on the 1891 short story " The Five Orange Pips" by Arthur Conan Doyle, and features the characters Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. It is the 10th film o ...

'' (1945) *''

The Woman in Green ''The Woman in Green'' is a 1945 American film, the eleventh of the fourteen ''Sherlock Holmes'' films based on the characters created by Arthur Conan Doyle. Directed by Roy William Neill, it stars Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bru ...

'' (1945) *'' Pursuit to Algiers'' (1945) *''

Terror by Night ''Terror by Night'' is a 1946 Sherlock Holmes crime drama directed by Roy William Neill and starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. The story revolves around the theft of a famous diamond aboard a train. The film's plot is a mostly original st ...

'' (1946) *'' Dressed to Kill'' (1946) *'' Black Angel'' (1946)

References

External links

* *
Passport portrait of Roy William Neil
{{DEFAULTSORT:Neill, Roy 1887 births 1946 deaths People born at sea Irish film directors American film directors Horror film directors Irish emigrants to the United States (before 1923)