John Elliot (author)
Encyclopedia
John Herbert Elliot was a British novelist, screenwriter and television producer. Between 1954 and 1960 he scripted a succession of one-off television plays including War in the Air and A Man from the Sun. In 1961 he joined with astronomer Fred Hoyle
(to ensure scientific authenticity) to write the ground-breaking science fiction serial A for Andromeda
which set the tone for all which was to follow in its stead. The success of A For Andromeda prompted a sequel, The Andromeda Breakthrough, in 1962.
Following Andromeda, Elliot wrote more one-off plays, but his talents were underused by the BBC
. He resigned from the BBC in 1963 but, as a parting gift, offered an option on his concept for the drama series Mogul (re-named The Troubleshooters from the second series) for which he wrote much of the seven series.
His other works include programmes such as Fall of Eagles
and Survival as well as novels including Duel, Blood Upon the Snow, and A For Andromeda and The Andromeda Breakthrough
(also co-written with Fred Hoyle).
Fred Hoyle
Sir Fred Hoyle FRS was an English astronomer and mathematician noted primarily for his contribution to the theory of stellar nucleosynthesis and his often controversial stance on other cosmological and scientific matters—in particular his rejection of the "Big Bang" theory, a term originally...
(to ensure scientific authenticity) to write the ground-breaking science fiction serial A for Andromeda
A for Andromeda
A for Andromeda is a British television science fiction drama serial first made and broadcast by the BBC in seven parts in 1961. Written by the noted cosmologist Fred Hoyle, in conjunction with author and television producer John Elliot, it concerns a group of scientists who detect a radio signal...
which set the tone for all which was to follow in its stead. The success of A For Andromeda prompted a sequel, The Andromeda Breakthrough, in 1962.
Following Andromeda, Elliot wrote more one-off plays, but his talents were underused by the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
. He resigned from the BBC in 1963 but, as a parting gift, offered an option on his concept for the drama series Mogul (re-named The Troubleshooters from the second series) for which he wrote much of the seven series.
His other works include programmes such as Fall of Eagles
Fall of Eagles
Fall of Eagles is a 13-part British television drama aired by the BBC in 1974. The series was created by John Elliot and produced by Stuart Burge....
and Survival as well as novels including Duel, Blood Upon the Snow, and A For Andromeda and The Andromeda Breakthrough
The Andromeda Breakthrough
The Andromeda Breakthrough was a 1962 sequel to the popular BBC TV science fiction serial A for Andromeda, again written by Fred Hoyle and John Elliot....
(also co-written with Fred Hoyle).
Further reading
- MacKenzie, S. (2006), "War in the Air : Churchill, the Air Ministry and the BBC response to Victory at Sea", Contemporary British History http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a757750008~jumptype=rss