Anthony Havelock-Allan
Encyclopedia
Sir Anthony James Allan Havelock-Allan, 4th Baronet (28 February 1904 - 11 January 2003) was a prolific and successful British film producer
and screenwriter whose credits included This Happy Breed
, Blithe Spirit
, the 1968 version of Romeo and Juliet
and Ryan's Daughter
.
Havelock-Allan was born at the family home of Blackwell Grange
near Darlington
and was educated at Charterhouse
and schools in Switzerland
. Before becoming a film producer, he worked as a stockbroker, jeweller, record company executive and cabaret
manager.
In 1935, Havelock-Allan joined the short-lived British and Dominions Imperial Studios, producing films with them like Lancashire Luck
(1937) until and even shortly after the studios burnt down in 1936. After working with her on This Man in Paris
, Havelock-Allan married actress Valerie Hobson
on 12 April 1939. They divorced in 1952.
In 1943 he founded his own company, Cineguild and following In Which We Serve
, on which he was Associate Producer, in 1945 he, Noel Coward
and Ronald Neame
produced David Lean
's Brief Encounter
. Havelock-Allan also worked with Neame on Lean's Great Expectations
in 1946 and was nominated for both films for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay
. He also founded Constellation Films in 1947 and co-founded British Home Entertainment with Lord Brabourne
in 1960.
Havelock-Allan married second wife María Teresa Consuelo Sara Ruiz de Villafranca (Sara Ruiz de Villafranca), a daughter of the former Spanish
Ambassador to Chile
and Brazil
, on 26 June 1979.
In 1975, he had succeeded to his childless brother's baronet
cy and on his own death in 2003, aged 98, his title passed to his son, Mark.
, unless otherwise stated:
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
and screenwriter whose credits included This Happy Breed
This Happy Breed (film)
This Happy Breed is a 1944 British drama film directed by David Lean. The screenplay by Lean, Anthony Havelock-Allan and Ronald Neame is based on the 1939 play of the same title by Noël Coward...
, Blithe Spirit
Blithe Spirit (film)
Blithe Spirit is a British fantasy comedy film directed by David Lean. The screenplay by Lean, Anthony Havelock-Allan, Ronald Neame, and Noël Coward is based on Coward's 1941 play of the same name...
, the 1968 version of Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet (1968 film)
Romeo and Juliet is a 1968 British-Italian cinematic adaptation of the William Shakespeare play of the same name.The film was directed and co-written by Franco Zeffirelli, and stars Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey. It won Academy Awards for Best Cinematography and Best Costume Design; it was also...
and Ryan's Daughter
Ryan's Daughter
Ryan's Daughter is a 1970 film directed by David Lean. The film, set in 1916, tells the story of a married Irish woman who has an affair with a British officer during World War I, despite opposition from her nationalist neighbours...
.
Havelock-Allan was born at the family home of Blackwell Grange
Blackwell, County Durham
Blackwell is a suburb in the borough of Darlington and the ceremonial county of County Durham, England. It is situated towards the edge of the West End of Darlington, beside the River Tees. Blackwell consists of large 1930s style semi-detached and detached houses, and private, newly-built homes...
near Darlington
Darlington
Darlington is a market town in the Borough of Darlington, part of the ceremonial county of County Durham, England. It lies on the small River Skerne, a tributary of the River Tees, not far from the main river. It is the main population centre in the borough, with a population of 97,838 as of 2001...
and was educated at Charterhouse
Charterhouse School
Charterhouse School, originally The Hospital of King James and Thomas Sutton in Charterhouse, or more simply Charterhouse or House, is an English collegiate independent boarding school situated at Godalming in Surrey.Founded by Thomas Sutton in London in 1611 on the site of the old Carthusian...
and schools in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. Before becoming a film producer, he worked as a stockbroker, jeweller, record company executive and cabaret
Cabaret
Cabaret is a form, or place, of entertainment featuring comedy, song, dance, and theatre, distinguished mainly by the performance venue: a restaurant or nightclub with a stage for performances and the audience sitting at tables watching the performance, as introduced by a master of ceremonies or...
manager.
In 1935, Havelock-Allan joined the short-lived British and Dominions Imperial Studios, producing films with them like Lancashire Luck
Lancashire Luck
Lancashire Luck is a 1937 British film comedy, directed by Henry Cass. It is notable as the film debut of Wendy Hiller, and the first credited appearance of Nigel Stock.-Plot:...
(1937) until and even shortly after the studios burnt down in 1936. After working with her on This Man in Paris
This Man in Paris
This Man in Paris is a 1939 British comedy mystery film directed by David MacDonald and starring Barry K. Barnes, Valerie Hobson and Alastair Sim. A British journalist and his wife travel to France to investigate a counterfeiting rang involving a British aristocrat.It was a sequel to the 1938 film...
, Havelock-Allan married actress Valerie Hobson
Valerie Hobson
Valerie Hobson was a British actress who appeared in a number of British films during the 1940s and 1950s...
on 12 April 1939. They divorced in 1952.
In 1943 he founded his own company, Cineguild and following In Which We Serve
In Which We Serve
In Which We Serve is a 1942 British patriotic war film directed by David Lean and Noël Coward. It was made during the Second World War with the assistance of the Ministry of Information ....
, on which he was Associate Producer, in 1945 he, Noel Coward
Noël Coward
Sir Noël Peirce Coward was an English playwright, composer, director, actor and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what Time magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and chic, pose and poise".Born in Teddington, a suburb of London, Coward attended a dance academy...
and Ronald Neame
Ronald Neame
Ronald Elwin Neame CBE, BSC was an English film cinematographer, producer, screenwriter and director.-Early career:...
produced David Lean
David Lean
Sir David Lean CBE was an English film director, producer, screenwriter, and editor best remembered for big-screen epics such as The Bridge on the River Kwai , Lawrence of Arabia ,...
's Brief Encounter
Brief Encounter
Brief Encounter is a 1945 British film directed by David Lean about the conventions of British suburban life, centring on a housewife for whom real love brings unexpectedly violent emotions. The film stars Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard, Stanley Holloway and Joyce Carey...
. Havelock-Allan also worked with Neame on Lean's Great Expectations
Great Expectations (1946 film)
Great Expectations is a 1946 British film which won two Academy Awards and was nominated for three others...
in 1946 and was nominated for both films for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay
Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay
The Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay is one of the Academy Awards, the most prominent film awards in the United States. It is awarded each year to the writer of a screenplay adapted from another source...
. He also founded Constellation Films in 1947 and co-founded British Home Entertainment with Lord Brabourne
John Knatchbull, 7th Baron Brabourne
John Ulick Knatchbull, 7th Baron Brabourne, CBE , professionally known as John Brabourne, was a British peer, television producer and Academy-award nominated film producer....
in 1960.
Havelock-Allan married second wife María Teresa Consuelo Sara Ruiz de Villafranca (Sara Ruiz de Villafranca), a daughter of the former Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
Ambassador to Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
and Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, on 26 June 1979.
In 1975, he had succeeded to his childless brother's baronet
Baronet
A baronet or the rare female equivalent, a baronetess , is the holder of a hereditary baronetcy awarded by the British Crown...
cy and on his own death in 2003, aged 98, his title passed to his son, Mark.
Filmography
All as ProducerFilm producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
, unless otherwise stated:
- 1970 Ryan's DaughterRyan's DaughterRyan's Daughter is a 1970 film directed by David Lean. The film, set in 1916, tells the story of a married Irish woman who has an affair with a British officer during World War I, despite opposition from her nationalist neighbours...
- 1968 Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet (1968 film)Romeo and Juliet is a 1968 British-Italian cinematic adaptation of the William Shakespeare play of the same name.The film was directed and co-written by Franco Zeffirelli, and stars Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey. It won Academy Awards for Best Cinematography and Best Costume Design; it was also...
- 1968 Up the Junction
- 1967 The Mikado
- 1965 OthelloOthello (1965 film)Othello is a 1965 film based on the National Theatre's staging of Shakespeare's Othello staged by John Dexter. Directed by Stuart Burge, the film starred Laurence Olivier, Maggie Smith, Frank Finlay, and Joyce Redman, providing film debuts for both Derek Jacobi and Michael...
- 1962 The Quare FellowThe Quare FellowThe Quare Fellow is Brendan Behan's first play, first produced in 1954.The title is taken from a Hiberno-English pronunciation of queer, meaning 'strange' or 'unusual'. In context, the word lacks the denotation of homosexuality which it holds today...
- 1958 Orders to KillOrders to KillOrders to Kill was a 1958 British wartime drama film. It starred Paul Massie, Eddie Albert and Lillian Gish. It was directed by Anthony Asquith based on a story by Donald C. Downes.-Plot summary:...
- 1954 The Young LoversThe Young LoversThe Young Lovers is a 1954 British Cold War romance drama, directed by Anthony Asquith and starring Odile Versois and David Knight. The film was produced by Anthony Havelock-Allan, with cinematography from Jack Asher and screenplay by George Tabori and Robin Estridge...
- 1953 Never Take No for an Answer
- 1952 Meet Me TonightMeet Me TonightMeet me Tonight is a 1952 omnibus British comedy film adapted from three one act plays by Noel Coward that are part of his Tonight at 8:30 play cycle...
- 1951 The Small MiracleThe Small MiracleThe Small Miracle is a 1951 British drama film starring Vittorio Manunta, Denis O'Dea, Guido Celano and John Le Mesurier. The film focuses around a young boy who, determined to save his sick donkey, travels to Rome to ask the Pope's permission to bring his donkey to church in the hope that his...
- 1950 Shadow of the Eagle
- 1949 The Interrupted JourneyThe Interrupted JourneyThe Interrupted Journey is a 1949 British thriller film directed by Daniel Birt and Valerie Hobson, Richard Todd, Christine Norden and Tom Walls. A man fleeing with his mistress narrowly escapes a train crash after he pulls the emergency chord and is wracked with guilt...
- 1949 The Small Voice
- 1948 Blanche FuryBlanche FuryBlanche Fury is a 1948 drama film starring Valerie Hobson, Stewart Granger and Michael Gough. It was adapted from a novel by Joseph Shearing. In Victorian era England, two schemers will stop at nothing to acquire the Fury estate, even murder.-Plot:...
- 1947 Take My LifeTake My LifeTake My Life is a 1947 British thriller film directed by Ronald Neame and starring Hugh Williams, Greta Gynt and Marius Goring.-Cast:* Hugh Williams as Nicholas Talbot* Greta Gynt as Philippa Shelley* Marius Goring as Sidney Flemming...
- 1946 Great ExpectationsGreat Expectations (1946 film)Great Expectations is a 1946 British film which won two Academy Awards and was nominated for three others...
- (Executive producerExecutive producerAn executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
) - 1945 Brief EncounterBrief EncounterBrief Encounter is a 1945 British film directed by David Lean about the conventions of British suburban life, centring on a housewife for whom real love brings unexpectedly violent emotions. The film stars Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard, Stanley Holloway and Joyce Carey...
- (uncredited) - 1942 In Which We ServeIn Which We ServeIn Which We Serve is a 1942 British patriotic war film directed by David Lean and Noël Coward. It was made during the Second World War with the assistance of the Ministry of Information ....
- (Associate producer) - 1942 Unpublished StoryUnpublished StoryUnpublished Story is a 1942, British, black-and-white, drama, war film, directed by Harold French and starring Ronald Shiner as the agitating, Pamphleteer or Leaflet Distributor, Richard Greene, Valerie Hobson, Basil Radford and Roland Culver...
- 1940 This Man in ParisThis Man in ParisThis Man in Paris is a 1939 British comedy mystery film directed by David MacDonald and starring Barry K. Barnes, Valerie Hobson and Alastair Sim. A British journalist and his wife travel to France to investigate a counterfeiting rang involving a British aristocrat.It was a sequel to the 1938 film...
- 1939 The Lambeth WalkThe Lambeth Walk (film)The Lambeth Walk is a 1939 British musical comedy film directed by Albert de Courville and starring Lupino Lane, Sally Gray and Seymour Hicks. It was an adaptation of the 1937 musical Me and My Girl. The film takes its title from the play's best known song The Lambeth Walk...
- 1939 The Silent BattleThe Silent BattleThe Silent Battle is a 1939 British thriller film directed by Herbert Mason and starring Rex Harrison, Valerie Hobson and John Loder. It is also known by the alternative titles Continental Express and Peace in our Time. It was inspired by the novel Le Poisson Chinois by Jean Bommart...
- 1938 This Man Is NewsThis Man Is NewsThis Man is News is a 1938 British comedy mystery film directed by David MacDonald and starring Barry K. Barnes, Valerie Hobson, Alastair Sim and Edward Lexy. A journalist solves a crime of which he himself is suspected....
- 1938 A Spot of BotherA Spot of Bother (film)A Spot of Bother is a 1938 British comedy film directed by David MacDonald and starring Robertson Hare, Alfred Drayton, Sandra Storme and Kathleen Joyce. The film is a farce in which a Bishop unwisely decides to loan the catherdral funds to a dubious businessman. Meanwhile his sectetary is involved...
- 1938 Incident in ShanghaiIncident in ShanghaiIncident in Shanghai is a 1938 British drama film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Margaret Vyner, Patrick Barr, Ralph Roberts and Derek Gorst.-Cast:* Margaret Vyner - Madeleine Linden* Patrick Barr - Pat Avon* Ralph Roberts - Robert Barlow...
- 1938 Lightning ConductorLightning Conductor (film)Lightning Conductor is a 1938 British comedy film directed by Maurice Elvey and starring Gordon Harker, John Davis Lodge and Sally Gray. A London bus driver becomes embroiled in a plot by foreign agents to steal secret documents.-Cast:...
- 1937 Missing, Believed Married
- 1937 Mr. Smith Carries On
- 1937 Night Ride
- 1937 The Fatal HourThe Fatal HourThe Fatal Hour is a 1940 American thriller/ crime drama film. It was directed by William Nigh, and starred Boris Karloff, Grant Withers, and Marjorie Reynolds.The film is also known as Mr. Wong at Headquarters in the United Kingdom.-Cast:...
- 1937 Museum MysteryMuseum MysteryMuseum Mystery is a 1937 British crime film directed by Clifford Gulliver and starring Jock McKay, Elizabeth Inglis and Gerald Case. A gang of criminals plan to steal a valuable Burmese idol from a British museum but are foiled by the curator.-Cast:...
- 1937 The Cavalier of the StreetsThe Cavalier of the StreetsThe Cavalier of the Streets is a 1937 British comedy film directed by Harold French and starring Margaret Vyner, Patrick Barr and Carl Harbord...
- 1937 Cross My Heart
- 1937 Holiday's EndHoliday's EndHoliday's End is a 1937 British mystery film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Sally Stewart, Rosalyn Boulter and Wally Patch. The young monarch of a East European state is sent to boarding school where, shortly after his arrival, one of the teachers is murdered.-Cast:* Wally Patch -...
- 1937 Lancashire LuckLancashire LuckLancashire Luck is a 1937 British film comedy, directed by Henry Cass. It is notable as the film debut of Wendy Hiller, and the first credited appearance of Nigel Stock.-Plot:...
- 1937 The Last CurtainThe Last CurtainThe Last Curtain is a 1937 British crime film directed by David MacDonald and starring Campbell Gullan, Kenne Duncan and Greta Gynt. An insurance investigator examines a series of robberies that have taken place.-Cast:...
- 1936 The Scarab Murder CaseBFI 75 Most WantedThe BFI 75 Most Wanted is a list compiled by the British Film Institute of their most sought-after British feature films not currently held in the BFI National Archive, and classified as "missing, believed lost". The films chosen range from quota quickies and B-movies to lavish prestige...
- 1936 Show Flat
- 1936 Grand Finale
- 1936 Murder by Rope
- 1936 Pay Box Adventure
- 1936 Two on a Doorstep
- 1936 Wednesday's LuckWednesday's LuckWednesday's Luck is a 1936 British crime film directed by George Pearson and starring Wilson Coleman, Susan Bligh, Patrick Barr and Moore Marriott...
- 1936 Love at Sea
- 1936 The Secret VoiceThe Secret VoiceThe Secret Voice is a 1936 British thriller film directed by George Pearson and starring John Stuart, Diana Beaumont and John Kevan. A young scientist tries to protect his earth-shattering new invention from being discovered by enemy spies.-Cast:...
- 1936 House Broken
- 1936 The Belles of St. ClementsThe Belles of St. ClementsThe Belles of St. Clements is a 1936 British drama film directed by Ivar Campbell and starring Evelyn Foster, Meriel Forbes and Basil Langton. It is a meoldrama set inside a teacher training college.-Cast:* Evelyn Foster ... Eve Chester...
- 1936 Ticket of Leave
- 1935 Expert's Opinion
- 1935 CheckmateCheckmate (1935 film)Checkmate is a 1935 British crime film directed by George Pearson and starring Maurice Evans, Felix Aylmer and Evelyn Foster. It was based on a novel by Amy Kennedy Gould...
- 1935 Lucky Days
- 1935 Cross Currents
- 1935 The Mad HattersThe Mad HattersThe Mad Hatters is a 1935 British comedy film directed by Ivar Campbell and starring Chili Bouchier, Sydney King and Evelyn Foster. After opening a hat shop together, two men fall in love with a French woman living next door.-Cast:...
- 1935 Jubilee Window
- 1935 Once a ThiefOnce a Thief (1935 film)Once a Thief is a 1935 British, black-and-white, crime film directed by George Pearson and starring Ronald Shiner as the Man. It was produced by British and Dominions Film Corporation and Paramount British Productions.-Cast:* John Stuart as Roger Drummond...
- 1935 School for Stars
- 1935 The Village SquireThe Village SquireThe Village Squire is a 1935 British comedy film directed by Reginald Denham and starring David Horne, Leslie Perrins, Moira Lynd and Vivien Leigh. It was based on a play by Arthur Jarvis Black...
- 1935 Key to Harmony
- 1935 The Price of Wisdom
- 1935 Gentlemen's AgreementGentlemen's Agreement (film)Gentlemen's Agreement is a 1935 British, black-and-white, adventure film directed by George Pearson and starring Ronald Shiner as Jim Ferrin and Vivien Leigh as Phil Stanley. It was produced by British and Dominions Film Corporation and Paramount British Productions. Unfortunately, Allmovie has...