Stewart McAllister
Encyclopedia
Stewart McAllister was a British documentary film editor who collaborated closely with Humphrey Jennings
during the Second World War to produce films for the Crown Film Unit
of the Ministry of Information. His contributions towards these films was largely neglected until Dai Vaughan's biography of him, Portrait of an Invisible Man, was published in 1983.
on 27 December 1914. While studying painting at the Glasgow School of Art
, McAllister became involved in the Film Society.
. Grierson invited him to join the GPO Film Unit
.
During the Second World War, McAllister continued working with this unit, which was renamed the Crown Film Unit in 1940. In this time, he worked as an editor for most of the films directed by Humphrey Jennings
, including Fires Were Started
and Listen to Britain. Other films he edited during the war include the Harry Watt
film Target for Tonight
.
Following the death of Humphrey Jennings in 1950, McAllister began working for the British Transport Films
unit, under Edgar Anstey
. With Anstey's encouragement, McAllister began working as a producer, resulting in films such as the humorous I Am a Litter Basket (1959). He also narrated many of the films that he produced.
McAllister's contribution seems to have been particularly significant for the film Listen to Britain, which uniquely acknowledged that it was 'Directed and edited by Humphrey Jennings and Stewart McAllister'. The recycling of other footage necessitated a greater degree of creative editing. Some of the film's most memorable scenes, including the cut from Flanagan and Allen
in a factory to Dame Myra Hess at the National Gallery
, were attributed to McAllister by his colleagues.
Humphrey Jennings
Frank Humphrey Sinkler Jennings was an English documentary filmmaker and one of the founders of the Mass Observation organization...
during the Second World War to produce films for the Crown Film Unit
Crown Film Unit
The Crown Film Unit was an organisation within the British Government's Ministry of Information during World War II. Formerly the GPO Film Unit it became the Crown Film Unit in 1940. Its remit was to make films for the general public in Britain and abroad...
of the Ministry of Information. His contributions towards these films was largely neglected until Dai Vaughan's biography of him, Portrait of an Invisible Man, was published in 1983.
Early life
McAllister was born in the Scottish county of LanarkshireLanarkshire
Lanarkshire or the County of Lanark ) is a Lieutenancy area, registration county and former local government county in the central Lowlands of Scotland...
on 27 December 1914. While studying painting at the Glasgow School of Art
Glasgow School of Art
Glasgow School of Art is one of only two independent art schools in Scotland, situated in the Garnethill area of Glasgow.-History:It was founded in 1845 as the Glasgow Government School of Design. In 1853, it changed its name to The Glasgow School of Art. Initially it was located at 12 Ingram...
, McAllister became involved in the Film Society.
Career
During his time in the Film Society, one of McAllister's films brought him to the attention of documentary film-maker John GriersonJohn Grierson
John Grierson was a pioneering Scottish documentary maker, often considered the father of British and Canadian documentary film. According to popular myth, in 1926, Grierson coined the term "documentary" to describe a non-fiction film.-Early life:Grierson was born in Deanston, near Doune, Scotland...
. Grierson invited him to join the GPO Film Unit
GPO Film Unit
The GPO Film Unit was a subdivision of the UK General Post Office. The unit was established in 1933, taking on responsibilities of the Empire Marketing Board Film Unit...
.
During the Second World War, McAllister continued working with this unit, which was renamed the Crown Film Unit in 1940. In this time, he worked as an editor for most of the films directed by Humphrey Jennings
Humphrey Jennings
Frank Humphrey Sinkler Jennings was an English documentary filmmaker and one of the founders of the Mass Observation organization...
, including Fires Were Started
Fires Were Started
Fires Were Started is a British film written and directed by Humphrey Jennings, filmed in documentary style showing the lives of firefighters through the Blitz in World War II...
and Listen to Britain. Other films he edited during the war include the Harry Watt
Harry Watt (director)
Harry Watt was a Scottish documentary and feature film director, who began his career working for John Grierson and Robert Flaherty. His 1959 film The Siege of Pinchgut was entered into the 9th Berlin International Film Festival...
film Target for Tonight
Target for Tonight
Target for Tonight is a 1941 British documentary film billed as being filmed by and acted by the Royal Air Force, all while under fire. It was directed by Harry Watt. The film revolves for the most part around one crew in a single Wellington aircraft...
.
Following the death of Humphrey Jennings in 1950, McAllister began working for the British Transport Films
British Transport Films
British Transport Films was an organisation set up in 1949 to make documentary films on the general subject of British transport. Its work included internal training films, travelogues , and "industrial films" promoting the progress of Britain's railway...
unit, under Edgar Anstey
Edgar Anstey
Edgar Anstey OBE, , was a leading British documentary film-maker....
. With Anstey's encouragement, McAllister began working as a producer, resulting in films such as the humorous I Am a Litter Basket (1959). He also narrated many of the films that he produced.
Collaboration with Jennings
McAllister's role in the production of Crown Film Unit films has often been overlooked, with greater attention being focused on Jennings. However, the exact nature of McAllister's collaboration with Humphrey Jennings remains uncertain.McAllister's contribution seems to have been particularly significant for the film Listen to Britain, which uniquely acknowledged that it was 'Directed and edited by Humphrey Jennings and Stewart McAllister'. The recycling of other footage necessitated a greater degree of creative editing. Some of the film's most memorable scenes, including the cut from Flanagan and Allen
Flanagan and Allen
Flanagan and Allen were a British singing and comedy double act popular during World War II. Its members were Bud Flanagan and Chesney Allen...
in a factory to Dame Myra Hess at the National Gallery
National gallery
The National Gallery is an art gallery on Trafalgar Square, London, United Kingdom.National Gallery may also refer to:*Armenia: National Gallery of Armenia, Yerevan*Australia:**National Gallery of Australia, Canberra...
, were attributed to McAllister by his colleagues.
Personality
McAllister was shy and introverted, but was also considered bad-tempered and argumentative.As editor
- 7 Till 5 (1933)
- North Sea (1938)
- The Islanders (1939 - as assistant editor)
- Men of the Lightship (1940)
- London Can Take It!London Can Take It!London Can Take It! is a short documentary film produced by the GPO Film Unit for the Ministry of Information covering less than eighteen hours of the German blitz on London and its people...
(1940) - The Heart of Britain (1941)
- Words for BattleWords for BattleWords for Battle is a British propaganda film produced by the Ministry of Information's Crown Film Unit in 1941. It was written and directed by Humphrey Jennings, and originally had the title In England Now...
(1941) - Target for TonightTarget for TonightTarget for Tonight is a 1941 British documentary film billed as being filmed by and acted by the Royal Air Force, all while under fire. It was directed by Harry Watt. The film revolves for the most part around one crew in a single Wellington aircraft...
(1941) - Listen to Britain (1942)
- Fires Were StartedFires Were StartedFires Were Started is a British film written and directed by Humphrey Jennings, filmed in documentary style showing the lives of firefighters through the Blitz in World War II...
(1943) - The Silent VillageThe Silent VillageThe Silent Village is a 1943 British propaganda short film in the form of a drama documentary, made by the Crown Film Unit and directed by Humphrey Jennings...
(1943) - The Eighty Days (1944)
- A Diary for TimothyA Diary for TimothyA Diary for Timothy is a British documentary film directed by Humphrey Jennings. It was produced by Basil Wright for the Crown Film Unit....
(1945) - Family Portrait (1950)
- Journey Into History (1951)
- Train Time (1952)
- Frontline: Memories of the Camps (1985)
- A Painful Reminder: Evidence for All Mankind (1985)
As producer
- The Heart is Highland (1952)
- Ocean Terminal (1952)
- The Coasts of Clyde (1959)
- I Am a Litter Basket (1959)
- Groundwork for Progress (1959)
- Railway Electrification at Industrial Frequency (1960)