John Huntley (film historian)
Encyclopedia
John Frederick Huntley was a British film historian, educator and archivist.
Huntley was born in Kew
and entered the film industry as a teaboy at Denham Studios
around 1938. After war service in the RAF
, where he had a sideline in using film shows as an educational tool, he re-entered the film industry as one of film score conductor Muir Mathieson
's assistants; Huntley had briefly studied at the Royal College of Music
just after the war began.
He joined the British Film Institute
in 1952, initially working for the information department, but from 1955 in distribution. His connection with the Telekinema during the Festival of Britain
led to him being appointed as a programmer at the new National Film Theatre
for a time. According to film collector Kevin Brownlow
, Huntley was the most accessible of the BFI's staff because of his skill at bending the rules; he left the institute in 1974. With one of his daughters he set up the Huntley Film Archive in 1984, based from 2005 in the Herefordshire village of Ewyas Harold
.
John Huntley was a published author and regular broadcaster; he presented Bygones on ITV for two years from 1987. He died from cancer in London.
Huntley was born in Kew
Kew
Kew is a place in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in South West London. Kew is best known for being the location of the Royal Botanic Gardens, now a World Heritage Site, which includes Kew Palace...
and entered the film industry as a teaboy at Denham Studios
Denham Film Studios
Denham Film Studios were a British film production studio operating from 1936 to 1952.The studios were founded by Alexander Korda, on a 165 acre site near the village of Denham, Buckinghamshire. At the time it was the largest facility of its kind in the UK, but it was merged with Rank's Pinewood...
around 1938. After war service in the RAF
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
, where he had a sideline in using film shows as an educational tool, he re-entered the film industry as one of film score conductor Muir Mathieson
Muir Mathieson
James Muir Mathieson was a Scottish conductor and composer. Mathieson was almost always described as a "Musical Director" on a large number of British films.-Career:...
's assistants; Huntley had briefly studied at the Royal College of Music
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
just after the war began.
He joined the British Film Institute
British Film Institute
The British Film Institute is a charitable organisation established by Royal Charter to:-Cinemas:The BFI runs the BFI Southbank and IMAX theatre, both located on the south bank of the River Thames in London...
in 1952, initially working for the information department, but from 1955 in distribution. His connection with the Telekinema during the Festival of Britain
Festival of Britain
The Festival of Britain was a national exhibition in Britain in the summer of 1951. It was organised by the government to give Britons a feeling of recovery in the aftermath of war and to promote good quality design in the rebuilding of British towns and cities. The Festival's centrepiece was in...
led to him being appointed as a programmer at the new National Film Theatre
BFI Southbank
BFI Southbank is the leading repertory cinema in the UK specialising in seasons of classic, independent and non-English language films and is operated by the British Film Institute.-History:...
for a time. According to film collector Kevin Brownlow
Kevin Brownlow
Kevin Brownlow is a filmmaker, film historian, television documentary-maker, author, and Academy Award recipient. Brownlow is best known for his work documenting the history of the silent era. Brownlow became interested in silent film at the age of eleven. This interest grew into a career spent...
, Huntley was the most accessible of the BFI's staff because of his skill at bending the rules; he left the institute in 1974. With one of his daughters he set up the Huntley Film Archive in 1984, based from 2005 in the Herefordshire village of Ewyas Harold
Ewyas Harold
Ewyas Harold is a village and civil parish in the Golden Valley in Herefordshire, England, near to the Welsh border with present day Monmouthshire and about half way between the towns of Abergavenny and Hereford. It lies on the Dulas brook, and is contiguous with the neighbouring village of...
.
John Huntley was a published author and regular broadcaster; he presented Bygones on ITV for two years from 1987. He died from cancer in London.