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1-15 of 15
- Writer
- Soundtrack
William Cowper was born on 26 November 1731 in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England, UK. William was a writer, known for John Gilpin's Ride (1908), John Gilpin (1908) and Respect (2021). William died on 25 April 1800 in East Dereham, Norfolk, England, UK.- Writer
- Actor
- Producer
Graham Greene was one of the greatest novelists of the 20th century and
his influence on the cinema and theatre was enormous. He wrote five
plays and almost all of his novels, including "Brighton Rock", "The
Ministry of Fear" and "The End of the Affair", have been brought to the
screen. A superb storyteller, he also wrote the screenplays for such
classics as
The Fallen Idol (1948) and
The Third Man (1949).
A colorful and larger-than-life figure, Greene traveled widely
throughout the world, from the jungles of Liberia to the Mexican desert
to the Far East and the Soviet Union. In World War Two was a member of
MI-6 (the British intelligence service) working with the double-agent
Kim Philby, and he numbered among his friends
such diverse personalities as Evelyn Waugh,
Noël Coward and Panamanian dictator Gen.
Omar Torrijos. A notorious womanizer, he
married only once but had a string of extra-marital affairs and
confessed he was "a bad husband and a fickle lover." During the 1920s
and 1930s he confessed that he had had relationships with over 50
prostitutes.
Born in Hertforshire, England, in 1904, the son of the headmaster of
Berkhamstead School, Greene was educated at Berkhamstead and later
Oxford. At Oxford he published more than 60 poems and stories and soon
after graduation converted to Roman Catholicism. "I had to find a
religion to measure my evil against" he said. His first novel, "The Man
Within", came out in 1929, to public and critical acclaim. "Stamboul
Train" (1934), a topical political thriller, was the first to reach the
screen (as Orient Express (1934))
and a string of other taut suspense dramas followed: "This Gun For
Hire" (1942), "The Ministry of Fear" (1943) and "The Confidential
Agent" (1945). It was his novel "Brighton Rock", however, which
depicted Pinkie, a teenage gangster with demonic spirituality, that
eventually became a milestone in British cinema. Originally a
successful stage play starring
Richard Attenborough as Pinkie,
Greene co-wrote the 1947 screenplay
Brighton Rock (1948)) with
Terence Rattigan.
Greene's collaboration with director
_Carol Reed' produced three
distinctive films: The Fallen Idol (1948),
starring Ralph Richardson,
The Third Man (1949) and
Our Man in Havana (1959). One
of the peaks in British filmmaking, "The Third Man", starring
Orson Welles as Harry Lime, was a skillful
tale of deception and drug trafficking. Greene developed the screenplay
from a single sentence: "I had paid my last farewell to Harry a week
ago, when his coffin was lowered into the frozen February ground, so
that it was with incredulity that I saw him pass by, without a sign of
recognition, amongst a host of strangers in the Strand". The character
of Harry Lime later inspired an American radio series starring Orson
Welles, short stories published by the News of the World and the TV
series The Third Man (1959),
starring Michael Rennie. In
Peter Jackson's
Heavenly Creatures (1994).
Kate Winslet fantasizes about Harry.
As well as writing novels, Greene reviewed films for "The Spectator",
then for the short-lived "Night and Day", which folded after he was
accused of a "gross outrage" on
'Shirley Temple (I)'--then nine years
old--in his review of
Wee Willie Winkie (1937). He
wrote that "her admirers--middle-aged men and clergymen--respond to her
dubious coquetry, to the sight of her well-shaped and desirable little
body, packed with enormous vitality". In the view of the prosecuting
counsel it was "one of the most horrible libels one could well
imagine."
Greene was an intelligent and sophisticated playwright. His first play
written directly for the stage was "The Living Room" (1953), a powerful
drama of suicide and despair which starred
Dorothy Tutin. It was followed by "The
Potting Shed" (1957), a drama about an atheist's pact with God, and
"The Complaisant Lover" (1959), a comedy of manners in which a husband
and lover knowingly share a wife's favors, which starred
Michael Redgrave. Many of his played
were televised.
Greene's work continues to fascinate actors, filmmakers and cinema goers
throughout the world. In 1973
Maggie Smith and
Alec McCowen starred in "Travels With My
Aunt" (Smith's role had originally been offered to
Katharine Hepburn),
Nicol Williamson and
Ann Todd starred in
The Human Factor (1979) and
Ralph Fiennes and
Julianne Moore starred in a remake of
The End of the Affair (1999).
Greene said of his writing: "When I describe a scene . . . I capture it
with the moving eye of the cine-camera rather than with the
photographer's eye--which leaves it frozen. In this precise domain I
think the cinema has influenced me."
Towards the end of his life Greene lived in Vevey, Switzerland, with
his companion Yvonne Cloetta. He died there peacefully on April 13,
1991.- Additional Crew
Hugh Greene was born on 15 November 1910 in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England, UK. He is known for The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes (1971), Shades of Greene (1975) and That Was the Week That Was (1962). He died on 19 February 1987 in London, England, UK.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Some of Hordern's finest work was not in films or television but on
radio: His performance as Gandalf in the BBC's radio adaptation of The
Lord of the Rings was arguably the definitive portrayal of that
character (contrast Hordern's Gandalf with that of Ian McKellen in the
3-part film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings directed by Peter
Jackson).- Brian Johnston was born on 24 June 1912 in Little Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Derby Day (1952), How Do You View? (1949) and Inspector Morse (1987). He was married to Pauline. He died on 5 January 1994 in Westminster, London, England, UK.
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Casting Director
- Production Manager
John P.R. (Pat) MacDonnell was born in Berkamstead in 1920, the son of
a Royal Marine Captain. Following his parents divorce he became the
stepson of paper magnate Ralph Reed, who was later knighted for his
wartime service organizing recycling and rationing as Paper Controller
for the Board of Trade.
After leaving Ottershaw College in 1936 at the age of 15, Pat worked
for a number of independent production companies before 1940. These
included UK Films Ltd., Baxter & Barter, British National Films Ltd.,
Julius Hagen Productions and John Stafford Productions. Most of this
early experience was on quota quickies, the majority of which were
directed by John Baxter.
During this period, Pat trained in Camera Departments as a Runner,
Clapper-loader, Focus-puller and Camera Operator, and was occasionally
asked to light small sets. He also assisted in Cutting Rooms as well as
Sound, Props, Wardrobe and Stills Departments, developing a broad range
of skills and knowledge. He also had a particular interest in Make-Up
at that time and spent several weeks studying its techniques at his own
expense, and this interest later contributed to his close friendship
with George Blackler.
At the outbreak of WWII he was working at Sound City, Shepperton, and
when the War Office commandeered the studios he was probably seconded
along with other studio staff to the secret manufacture of fake
aircraft and artillery for use as decoys in the Middle East.
Saunders-Roe moved their operations to Shepperton after their nearby
factory was hit in an air-raid, and Pat was later employed in a key
position testing parts for their flying-boats. Incidentally,
Vickers-Armstong took over Nettlefold Studios in similar circumstances,
and built three huge aircraft hangars there, which made excellent sound
stages after the war.
In February 1943 Pat joined the Rank Organisation as a 3rd Assistant
Director with Two Cities Films Ltd. at Denham, and was soon off to
Ireland for location shooting on Henry V (1944). A few weeks later, having
just turned 18, Vicky Fuggle arrived at Denham to work as a Production
Secretary for RKO Radio British Productions Ltd. initially on Herbert Wilcox's
Yellow Canary (1943) and then on Victor Hanbury's Hotel Reserve (1944). They met when Pat returned to
Denham for 'Henry V' studio filming in June 1943, and married in
February 1946.
Vicky was also briefly involved with Henry V. Her diary records that on
New Year's Day 1944 she took music notes for Laurence Olivier and William Walton in
Denham's Theatre 1. During this period she was regularly loaned out by
RKO in various capacities. While working on Yellow Canary she became PA
to Anna Neagle in her 'spare time'. In January 1944 Vicky took over from
Maude Spector (who had moved on to assist Casting Director Irene Howard at Two
Cities) as secretary to Victor Hanbury, and in March moved again to work for
RKO Production Manager Ernest Holding. In addition to her normal duties, she
typed several drafts of the treatment and script for Great Day (1945) with
screenwriter John Davenport, including one session of re-writes at The London
Clinic, where he was being treated for gout. She also continued to
handle dictation and fan-mail for Miss Neagle.
In late August 1944, due to her voluntary work for Belgian refugees as
well as her considerable secretarial skills, Vicky was chosen as a
temporary PA for Samuel Goldwyn, who was in the UK for a few weeks on behalf
of Eastern European refugees, and needed someone who could assist with
that as well as handling a good deal of movie correspondence.
On completion of 'Henry V' in February 1944, Pat transferred from Two
Cities to Independent Producers as 2nd A.D. on They Knew Mr. Knight (1946), before joining
Adele Raymond, first as her assistant, and then as Co-Casting Director.
On Gabriel Pascal's Caesar and Cleopatra (1945) he had two jobs. In addition to casting both crowd
and character parts, he was also 2nd A.D.
Other work as Casting Director included I Know Where I'm Going! (1945); A Matter of Life and Death (1946); Great Expectations (1946); Green for Danger (1946); Take My Life (1947) and Black Narcissus (1947).
Vicky (now MacDonnell) was also involved with Great Expectations. She
joined 'Cineguild' just as music recording for Brief Encounter (1945) was being completed,
and was secretary to Ronald Neame and David Lean throughout the period of the
Dickens adaptations. She left in May 1947 to have her first child
shortly after shooting began on Oliver Twist (1948). Indeed it was anticipated that
Vicky's baby would appear in the opening sequence as the newborn
Oliver, and the shooting schedule was arranged around his due date; but
in the event little Anthony was somewhat overdue, and sadly missed out
on the title role.
The industry and the ACT were far less concerned about demarcation in
those days, and Pat was able to work in a fairly wide variety of jobs
with Independent Producers. He was 2nd A.D on I See a Dark Stranger (1946); Assistant
Production Manager on Captain Boycott (1947); 1st A.D (2nd Unit) on Blanche Fury (1948), and on
Dulcimer Street (1948), Oliver Twist (1948) and The Passionate Friends (1949) he did Production Administration. He was
both Production Manager and 1st A.D. on three documentaries made at
Pinewood, and became Assistant to Chief Production Manager Tom White. In
this capacity he was associated with Independent Producers entire slate
for a while, including The Woman in the Hall (1947); The Red Shoes (1948); Sin of Esther Waters (1948); Don't Ever Leave Me (1949) and The Hidden Room (1949),
one of three films directed in England by Edward Dmytryk while he was
blacklisted in Hollywood.
In 1948 Pat was loaned to Gainsborough Pictures as a 2nd A.D. for
Once Upon a Dream (1949) and returned to Independent for Stop Press Girl (1949) as 2nd Unit Location
Manager. On The Blue Lagoon (1949) he was 2nd A.D again, and then Relief Location
Manager on Dear Mr. Prohack (1949).
Pat co-directed and managed the production of 'The Dark World', a short
charity appeal about blindness. He was 1st A.D on numerous commercials
and directed a few, including one for 'Dreft' featuring 'Patricia Medina'.
He also directed the National Anthem film which was screened at every
performance in Rank cinemas from 1948 until the coronation in 1953,
when it was finally replaced.
Pat's final job in the industry was as Assistant Director on the
Location Unit of Treasure Island (1950), after which he took ownership of an
advertising publication, The Helston and District Free Gazette. The
family moved to Cornwall and later to North Devon. He died in
Ilfracombe in May 1964.
His children include musician and agent Tony MacDonnell, actor Chris MacDonnell
and editor John MacDonnell. Among his grandchildren are 1st A.D. Joanna MacDonnell,
agent and former actress Sarah MacDonnell and great granddaughter, actor Emily Carey- Additional Crew
- Writer
Cicely Berry was born on 17 May 1926 in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England, UK. She was a writer, known for Stealing Beauty (1996), The Last Emperor (1987) and Titus (1999). She was married to Harry Moore. She died on 15 October 2018 in Cornwall, England, UK.- Art Department
Mark Boxer was born on 19 May 1931 in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England, UK. He is known for Oxbridge Blues (1984), Not So Much a Programme, More a Way of Life (1964) and Gallery (1984). He was married to Anna Ford and Arabella Stuart. He died on 20 July 1988 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK.- Producer
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Esther Rantzen was born on 22 June 1940 in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England, UK. She is a producer and writer, known for Whatever Next? (1968), BBC 3 (1965) and Hearts of Gold (1988). She was previously married to Desmond Wilcox.- Composer
- Soundtrack
Gerry Shury was born on 11 August 1944 in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England, UK. Gerry was a composer, known for Dynamo (1978), The Sweeney (1975) and Top of the Pops (1964). Gerry was married to Simone Neal. Gerry died on 24 May 1978 in Surrey, England, UK.- Educated at Shrewsbury School. Studied at Leeds University and awarded
a B.A. (Honours) in Classics. Worked as a journalist at the Doncaster
Evening Post, the Birmingham Post and his first work in broadcasting
was on BBC Radio Birmingham. He joined ATV Network's sports department
and covered football's 1982 World Cup. First met Anne Diamond when he
worked as a presenter on regional TV in the Midlands. His great break
came when he joined newly launched TV AM as sports presenter. This
brought him to national attention and two months later he had replaced
David Frost as the main presenter. He shared the stage with Anne
Diamond again. This partnership continued until 1986. His next move was
to ITV Sport. In 1992 Nick and great friend Anne Diamond moved to the
BBC to present the corporation's flagship morning broadcast, Good
Morning with Anne and Nick. Poor rating caused the BBC to axe the show
in 1996. He has also worked for West Country Television, satellite
channels and caused a stir when he interviewed disgraced former TV
presenter Frank Bough. Nick loves sport, in particular football and
cricket, and keeps active by playing squash. - Actress
- Music Department
- Producer
Sarah Brightman's soprano voice has sold millions of records and been
heard in arenas, cathedrals, and Olympic stadiums around the world.
Brightman is the winner of more than 180 gold and platinum awards in 40
countries, and is a concert artist who has performed before millions of
fans on every continent.
Brightman began her career as a member of the dance troupe, "Pans
People", before joining Hot Gossip, where she
released several disco hit singles as a solo performer. In 1981, she
made her West End musical theatre debut in "Cats", where she met
composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. She
went on to star in several Broadway musicals, including "The Phantom of
the Opera", where she originated the role of "Christine Daaé".
After a number of successful years on the musical stage, Brightman
decided to resume her solo career with former "Enigma" co-producer,
Frank Peterson. Their
collaboration resulted in a string of successful albums, beginning with
"Dive" (1993), "Fly" (1995) and "Timeless/Time To Say Goodbye" (1997).
Her duet with the Italian tenor,
Andrea Bocelli, "Time To Say
Goodbye", topped charts all over Europe and became the highest and
fastest selling single of all time in Germany. It subsequently became
an international success, selling 12 million copies, worldwide. In the
following years, Brightman released a series of highly personal and
thematic albums: "Eden" (1998), "La Luna" (2000), "Harem" (2003) and
"Symphony" (2008). The "Harem" concert tour grossed over $60 million
and played to 700,000 fans.
Brightman has appeared in several films, including
Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008),
and Stephen Evans'
First Night (2010).
She is the first artist to have been invited to perform at two Olympic
games, first at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games and, 16 years later,
in Beijing to an estimated four billion people, worldwide. In 2010, she
was named by Billboard as the fifth most influential and top-selling
classical artist of the 2000s decade in the United States.- Grace Downes was born on 17 December 1985 in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Shameful Sequels (2009). She has been married to Mike Jeavons since 7 November 2014.
- Isobel is a British actor of Scottish and English heritage. Her mother is from Aberdeen and her father from the Midlands.
She attended Tring Park School for the Preforming Arts and completed her training at Drama Centre London.
She is known for 'Chief Of Station', 'The Leerie', 'Armpit' and 'Farewell Waltz'. - Special Effects
- Visual Effects
- Art Department
Jamie Jackson-Moore was born in August 1958 in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England, UK. Jamie is known for Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), Lost in Space (1998) and GoldenEye (1995).