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{{Short description|English film director, film editor, screenwriter and film producer (1910–1999)}} |
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{{for|the sailor|Charles Crichton (sailor)}} |
{{for|the sailor|Charles Crichton (sailor)}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}} |
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}} |
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| caption = Crichton in 1988 |
| caption = Crichton in 1988 |
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| birth_date = {{Birth date|1910|8|6|df=yes}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Charles Crichton, Film Director, Dies at 89 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/16/movies/charles-crichton-film-director-dies-at-89.htm|access-date=31 March 2019 | date=16 September 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Charles Crichton|work=[[Hollywood.com]]|url=http://www.hollywood.com/celebrities/charles-crichton-57469080/}}</ref> |
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1910|8|6|df=yes}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Charles Crichton, Film Director, Dies at 89 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/16/movies/charles-crichton-film-director-dies-at-89.htm|access-date=31 March 2019 | date=16 September 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Charles Crichton|work=[[Hollywood.com]]|url=http://www.hollywood.com/celebrities/charles-crichton-57469080/}}</ref> |
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| birth_place = [[Wallasey]], [[Cheshire]], |
| birth_place = [[Wallasey]], [[Cheshire]], England<ref>{{cite web|title=Charles Crichton|work=People.theiapolis|url=http://people.theiapolis.com/director-20NN/charles-crichton/|access-date=16 December 2015}}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |
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| death_date = {{Death date and age|1999|9|14|1910|8|6|df=yes}} |
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1999|9|14|1910|8|6|df=yes}} |
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| death_place = [[South Kensington]], |
| death_place = [[South Kensington]], London, England |
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| birthname = Charles Ainslie Crichton |
| birthname = Charles Ainslie Crichton |
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| occupation = film director<br>film editor |
| occupation = film director<br>film editor |
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'''Charles Ainslie Crichton'''<ref name=newyorktimes/> (6 August 1910 – 14 September 1999) was an English [[film director]] and [[film editor|editor]]. |
'''Charles Ainslie Crichton'''<ref name=newyorktimes/> (6 August 1910 – 14 September 1999) was an English [[film director]] and [[film editor|editor]]. |
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Born in [[Wallasey]], [[Cheshire]], he became best known for directing many comedies produced at [[Ealing Studios]] and had a 40-year career editing and directing many films and television programmes.<ref name=Kemp>{{cite book |last=Kemp |first=Philip |year=2000 |chapter=Charles Crichton |url=https://archive.org/details/internationaldic0000unse_i4g6 |editor1-first=Tom |editor1-last=Pendergast |editor2-first=Sara |editor2-last=Pendergast |title=International Dictionary of Film and Filmmakers, Edition 4 |publisher=St. James Press |isbn=978-1-55862-449-8 |url-access=registration }}</ref> For his final film, the acclaimed comedy ''[[A Fish Called Wanda]]'' (1988), Crichton was nominated for both the [[Academy Award for Best Director]] and the [[Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay]] (along with the film's star [[John Cleese]]). |
Born in [[Wallasey]], [[Cheshire]], he became best known for directing many comedies produced at [[Ealing Studios]] and had a 40-year career editing and directing many films and television programmes.<ref name=Kemp>{{cite book |last=Kemp |first=Philip |year=2000 |chapter=Charles Crichton |url=https://archive.org/details/internationaldic0000unse_i4g6 |editor1-first=Tom |editor1-last=Pendergast |editor2-first=Sara |editor2-last=Pendergast |title=International Dictionary of Film and Filmmakers, Edition 4 |publisher=St. James Press |isbn=978-1-55862-449-8 |url-access=registration }}</ref> For his final film, the acclaimed comedy ''[[A Fish Called Wanda]]'' (1988), Crichton was nominated for both the [[Academy Award for Best Director]] and the [[Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay]] (along with the film's star [[John Cleese]]). |
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==Early life and education== |
==Early life and education== |
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Crichton, one of six |
Crichton, one of six children, was born on 6 August 1910 in [[Wallasey]], [[Cheshire]], [[England]].<ref name=newyorktimes/><ref name=guardian>{{cite news|last=Bergan|first=Ronald|title=Charles Crichton|date=14 September 1999|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/1999/sep/15/guardianobituaries3|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref><ref name=guardian2>{{cite news|title=Ealing legend dies|date=15 September 1999|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/1999/sep/15/news|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref> He was educated at [[Oundle School]] in [[Northamptonshire]], followed by [[New College, Oxford|New College]] at the [[University of Oxford]] where he read History.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1999-09-15|title=Charles Crichton|url=http://www.theguardian.com/news/1999/sep/15/guardianobituaries3|access-date=2021-09-23|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref><ref name=independent/><ref name=bbc/> |
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== Career == |
== Career == |
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===Editing=== |
===Editing=== |
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In 1931, Crichton began his career in the film industry as a film editor.<ref name=newyorktimes/> His first credit as editor was ''[[Men of Tomorrow]]'' (1932).<ref name=independent/> He edited over fifty films, such as ''[[Things to Come]]'' (1936).<ref name=guardian2/> Other films he edited included those that were produced by [[Alexander Korda]], such as ''[[Cash (1933 film)|Cash]]'' (1933), ''[[The Girl from Maxim's]]'' (1933), ''[[The Private Life of Henry VIII]]'' (1933), ''[[Sanders of the River]]'' (1935), ''[[Elephant Boy (film)|Elephant Boy]]'' (1937) and ''[[The Thief of Bagdad (1940 film)|The Thief of Bagdad]]'' (1940).<ref name=guardian/><ref name=independent/> Crichton was paid £8 per week for his editing.<ref name=bbc/> In 1940, Crichton began his employment at [[Ealing Studios]].<ref name=newyorktimes/> There he edited the film, ''[[The Big Blockade]]'' (1942).<ref name=guardian/> Crichton also served as an associate producer of the film, ''[[Nine Men (film)|Nine Men]]'' (1943), which he also edited.<ref name=independent/> |
In 1931, Crichton began his career in the film industry as a film editor.<ref name=newyorktimes/> His first credit as editor was ''[[Men of Tomorrow (1932 film)|Men of Tomorrow]]'' (1932).<ref name=independent/> He edited over fifty films, such as ''[[Things to Come]]'' (1936).<ref name=guardian2/> Other films he edited included those that were produced by [[Alexander Korda]], such as ''[[Cash (1933 film)|Cash]]'' (1933), ''[[The Girl from Maxim's]]'' (1933), ''[[The Private Life of Henry VIII]]'' (1933), ''[[Sanders of the River]]'' (1935), ''[[Elephant Boy (film)|Elephant Boy]]'' (1937) and ''[[The Thief of Bagdad (1940 film)|The Thief of Bagdad]]'' (1940).<ref name=guardian/><ref name=independent/> Crichton was paid £8 per week for his editing.<ref name=bbc/> In 1940, Crichton began his employment at [[Ealing Studios]].<ref name=newyorktimes/> There he edited the film, ''[[The Big Blockade]]'' (1942).<ref name=guardian/> Crichton also served as an associate producer of the film, ''[[Nine Men (film)|Nine Men]]'' (1943), which he also edited.<ref name=independent/> |
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===Directing=== |
===Directing=== |
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Crichton made his directorial debut with ''[[For Those in Peril (1944 film)|For Those in Peril]]'' (1944).<ref name=guardian/><ref name=guardian2/><ref name=bbc/> In 1945, he directed ''[[Painted Boats]]'' and co-directed a segment in ''[[Dead of Night]]''.<ref name=independent/> Crichton then directed ''[[Hue and Cry (film)|Hue and Cry]]'' (1947), a film considered to be the first comedy released by Ealing Studios.<ref name=guardian/><ref name=bbc/> Crichton later directed ''[[Against the Wind (film)|Against the Wind]]'' (1948) and ''[[Dance Hall (1950 film)|Dance Hall]]'' (1950).<ref name=independent/> Crichton then directed [[Alec Guinness]] in ''[[The Lavender Hill Mob]]'' (1951).<ref name=guardian/><ref name=guardian2/><ref name=independent/><ref name=bbc/> This was followed by ''[[Hunted (1952 film)|Hunted]]'' (1952), starring [[Dirk Bogarde]].<ref name=guardian/><ref name=independent/> Afterwards, Crichton directed ''[[The Titfield Thunderbolt]]'' (1953).<ref name=guardian/><ref name=guardian2/><ref name=independent/><ref name=bbc/> Later films he directed during the 1950s included ''[[The Divided Heart]]'' (1954), ''[[Law and Disorder (1958 film)|Law and Disorder]]'' (1958), and ''[[Floods of Fear]]'' (1959).<ref name=independent/> He also directed [[Peter Sellers]] in ''[[The Battle of the Sexes (1959 film)|The Battle of the Sexes]]'' (1959).<ref name=bbc/><ref name=losangelestimes/> |
Crichton made his directorial debut with ''[[For Those in Peril (1944 film)|For Those in Peril]]'' (1944).<ref name=guardian/><ref name=guardian2/><ref name=bbc/> In 1945, he directed ''[[Painted Boats]]'' and co-directed a segment in ''[[Dead of Night]]''.<ref name=independent/> Crichton then directed ''[[Hue and Cry (film)|Hue and Cry]]'' (1947), a film considered to be the first comedy released by Ealing Studios.<ref name=guardian/><ref name=bbc/> Crichton later directed ''[[Against the Wind (1948 film)|Against the Wind]]'' (1948) and ''[[Dance Hall (1950 film)|Dance Hall]]'' (1950).<ref name=independent/> Crichton then directed [[Alec Guinness]] in ''[[The Lavender Hill Mob]]'' (1951).<ref name=guardian/><ref name=guardian2/><ref name=independent/><ref name=bbc/> This was followed by ''[[Hunted (1952 film)|Hunted]]'' (1952), starring [[Dirk Bogarde]].<ref name=guardian/><ref name=independent/> Afterwards, Crichton directed ''[[The Titfield Thunderbolt]]'' (1953).<ref name=guardian/><ref name=guardian2/><ref name=independent/><ref name=bbc/> Later films he directed during the 1950s included ''[[The Divided Heart]]'' (1954), ''[[Law and Disorder (1958 film)|Law and Disorder]]'' (1958), and ''[[Floods of Fear]]'' (1959).<ref name=independent/> He also directed [[Peter Sellers]] in ''[[The Battle of the Sexes (1959 film)|The Battle of the Sexes]]'' (1959).<ref name=bbc/><ref name=losangelestimes/> |
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Crichton was the original director of ''[[Birdman of Alcatraz (film)|Birdman of Alcatraz]]'' (1962),<ref>{{cite news|last=Scott|first=Vernon|title=Actor lives in fear of snips|date=20 May 1978|newspaper=[[Lodi News-Sentinel]]|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2245&dat=19780520&id=qWozAAAAIBAJ&pg=5337,5020691&hl=en|access-date=16 December 2015}}</ref> but he quit after clashing with [[Burt Lancaster]]. Crichton was then replaced by [[John Frankenheimer]].<ref name=guardian/> Crichton said of the experience: "Had I known that Burt Lancaster was to be ''de facto'' producer, I do not think I would have accepted the assignment, as he had a reputation for quarreling with better directors than I. But [[Harold Hecht]], the credited producer, had assured me that there would be no interference from Lancaster. This did not prove to be the case."<ref>{{cite web|title=Overview for Charles Crichton|publisher=[[Turner Classic Movies]]|url=http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/41105%7C29203/Charles-Crichton/|access-date=16 December 2015}}</ref> Crichton was also planning another film project with [[Sammy Davis |
Crichton was the original director of ''[[Birdman of Alcatraz (film)|Birdman of Alcatraz]]'' (1962),<ref>{{cite news|last=Scott|first=Vernon|title=Actor lives in fear of snips|date=20 May 1978|newspaper=[[Lodi News-Sentinel]]|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2245&dat=19780520&id=qWozAAAAIBAJ&pg=5337,5020691&hl=en|access-date=16 December 2015}}</ref> but he quit after clashing with [[Burt Lancaster]]. Crichton was then replaced by [[John Frankenheimer]].<ref name=guardian/> Crichton said of the experience: "Had I known that Burt Lancaster was to be ''de facto'' producer, I do not think I would have accepted the assignment, as he had a reputation for quarreling with better directors than I. But [[Harold Hecht]], the credited producer, had assured me that there would be no interference from Lancaster. This did not prove to be the case."<ref>{{cite web|title=Overview for Charles Crichton|publisher=[[Turner Classic Movies]]|url=http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/41105%7C29203/Charles-Crichton/|access-date=16 December 2015}}</ref> Crichton was also planning another film project with [[Sammy Davis Jr.]], but it never came to fruition due to the death of a producer involved with it.<ref name=newyorktimes/> |
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''[[The Third Secret (film)|The Third Secret]]'' (1964) and ''[[He Who Rides a Tiger]]'' (1965), the last two films Crichton directed during the 1960s, were not successful.<ref name=newyorktimes/> The latter film was the last film he directed for 23 years.<ref name=guardian2/><ref>{{cite news|title=Charles Crichton|date=16 September 1999|newspaper=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1683&dat=19990916&id=c-UcAAAAIBAJ&pg=3054,107257&hl=en|access-date=13 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Gazlay|first=Kristin|title=Director Charles Crichton dies at 89|date=16 September 1999|newspaper=[[The Daily Gazette]]|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1957&dat=19990916&id=AE1GAAAAIBAJ&pg=3488,3645426&hl=en|access-date=13 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Comedy film director Charles Crichton, 89|date=16 September 1999|newspaper=[[Bangor Daily News]]|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2457&dat=19990916&id=hKNJAAAAIBAJ&pg=4626,143254&hl=en|access-date=13 December 2015}}</ref> |
''[[The Third Secret (film)|The Third Secret]]'' (1964) and ''[[He Who Rides a Tiger]]'' (1965), the last two films Crichton directed during the 1960s, were not successful.<ref name=newyorktimes/> The latter film was the last film he directed for 23 years.<ref name=guardian2/><ref>{{cite news|title=Charles Crichton|date=16 September 1999|newspaper=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1683&dat=19990916&id=c-UcAAAAIBAJ&pg=3054,107257&hl=en|access-date=13 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Gazlay|first=Kristin|title=Director Charles Crichton dies at 89|date=16 September 1999|newspaper=[[The Daily Gazette]]|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1957&dat=19990916&id=AE1GAAAAIBAJ&pg=3488,3645426&hl=en|access-date=13 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Comedy film director Charles Crichton, 89|date=16 September 1999|newspaper=[[Bangor Daily News]]|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2457&dat=19990916&id=hKNJAAAAIBAJ&pg=4626,143254&hl=en|access-date=13 December 2015}}</ref> |
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Crichton moved to directing television shows, then corporate videos. The latter were through [[John Cleese]]'s company Video Arts. This led Cleese to propose Crichton returning to the crime comedy film genre.<ref name="screenonline.org.uk">{{Cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/449392/|title=BFI Screenonline: Crichton, Charles ( |
Crichton moved to directing television shows, then corporate videos. The latter were through [[John Cleese]]'s company Video Arts. This led Cleese to propose Crichton returning to the crime comedy film genre.<ref name="screenonline.org.uk">{{Cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/449392/|title=BFI Screenonline: Crichton, Charles (1910–1999) Biography}}</ref> Beginning in 1983, Cleese and Crichton worked together on the story for ''[[A Fish Called Wanda]]''. Cleese wrote the screenplay. When the film went into production in 1987, Cleese had to act as stand-by director for insurance reasons since Crichton was 77 years old.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g1Va-fZwdsUC&q=charles+crichton&pg=PA100|last=Mayer|first=Geoff|title=Historical Dictionary of Crime Films|year=2012|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=9780810879003}}</ref> Cleese said of working with Crichton as a stand-by director: "That was a subterfuge. I knew the studio would be worried about Charlie's age. I don't know anything about how to direct, but that doesn't stop one-half of the directors. I simply prayed that Charlie would be on the set every morning. He shoots in such a way to convey the essence of every scene. He's economical. He's a dear man who's terrified of showing off. If he says anything shrewd or insightful, he'll apologize for a minute so he won't be considered pompous."<ref>{{cite news|last=Harmetz|first=Aljean|title='Fish Called Wanda' a Crichton Keeper|date=26 March 1989|newspaper=[[The Milwaukee Journal]]|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19890326&id=RWsaAAAAIBAJ&pg=4378,1028019&hl=en|access-date=16 December 2015}}</ref> |
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== Personal life and death == |
== Personal life and death == |
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In 1936, Crichton married Vera Harman-Mills, and together they had two sons, David and Nicholas.<ref name=independent>{{cite news|last=Vallance|first=Tom|title=Obituary: Charles Crichton|date=15 September 1999|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-charles-crichton-1119361.html|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref><ref name=bbc>{{cite news|title=Charles Crichton: A legend of British film |date=15 September 1999|work=[[BBC News]]|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/447612.stm|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref><ref name=losangelestimes>{{cite news|last=Oliver|first=Myrna|title=Charles Crichton; British Director of Movie Comedies|date=16 September 1999|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url= |
In 1936, Crichton married Vera Harman-Mills, and together they had two sons, David and Nicholas.<ref name=independent>{{cite news|last=Vallance|first=Tom|title=Obituary: Charles Crichton|date=15 September 1999|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-charles-crichton-1119361.html|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref><ref name=bbc>{{cite news|title=Charles Crichton: A legend of British film |date=15 September 1999|work=[[BBC News]]|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/447612.stm|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref><ref name=losangelestimes>{{cite news|last=Oliver|first=Myrna|title=Charles Crichton; British Director of Movie Comedies|date=16 September 1999|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-sep-16-mn-10742-story.html|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref> Nicholas became an eminent judge and reformer in UK family law.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/law/2018/dec/21/nicholas-crichton-obituary|title=Nicholas Crichton obituary|last=Brindle|first=David|date=2018-12-21|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-01-01|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Crichton married his second wife, Nadine Haze, in 1962, and their marriage lasted until his death.<ref name=independent/> |
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Following completion of production on ''A Fish Called Wanda'', Crichton retired from the entertainment industry and spent the rest of his life living comfortably, fishing in both Scotland and Wales.<ref name="screenonline.org.uk"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/447612.stm|title=BBC News | Entertainment | Charles Crichton: A legend of British film}}</ref> He died on 14 September 1999 in [[South Kensington]], London, at the age of 89.<ref name=newyorktimes>{{cite news |last1=Honan|first1=William |title=Charles Crichton, Film Director, Dies at 89 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/16/movies/charles-crichton-film-director-dies-at-89.html| access-date=16 August 2014 |work=The New York Times|date=16 September 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=John F. White Sr.,75, considered the dean of...|date=17 September 1999|newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|url= |
Following completion of production on ''A Fish Called Wanda'', Crichton retired from the entertainment industry and spent the rest of his life living comfortably, fishing in both Scotland and Wales.<ref name="screenonline.org.uk"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/447612.stm|title=BBC News | Entertainment | Charles Crichton: A legend of British film}}</ref> He died on 14 September 1999 in [[South Kensington]], London, at the age of 89.<ref name=newyorktimes>{{cite news |last1=Honan|first1=William |title=Charles Crichton, Film Director, Dies at 89 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/16/movies/charles-crichton-film-director-dies-at-89.html| access-date=16 August 2014 |work=The New York Times|date=16 September 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=John F. White Sr.,75, considered the dean of...|date=17 September 1999|newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1999-09-17-9909170379-story.html|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref> |
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==Filmography |
==Filmography== |
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{{Div col}} |
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*''[[For Those in Peril (1944 film)|For Those in Peril]]'' (1944) |
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*''[[Dead of Night]]'' ([[1945 in film|1945]]) (co-director) |
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*''[[Painted Boats]]'' (1945) |
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*''[[Hue and Cry (film)|Hue and Cry]]'' ([[1947 in film|1947]]) |
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*''[[Against the Wind (1948 film)|Against the Wind]]'' ([[1948 in film|1948]]) |
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*''[[Another Shore]]'' (1948) |
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*''[[Train of Events]]'' (1949) |
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*''[[Dance Hall (1950 film)|Dance Hall]]'' ([[1950 in film|1950]]) |
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*''[[The Lavender Hill Mob]]'' ([[1951 in film|1951]]) |
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*''[[Hunted (1952 film)|Hunted]]'' ([[1952 in film|1952]]) |
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*''[[The Titfield Thunderbolt]]'' ([[1953 in film|1953]]) |
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*''[[The Love Lottery]]'' (1954) |
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*''[[The Divided Heart]]'' ([[1954 in film|1954]]) |
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*''[[Man in the Sky]]'' (1957) |
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*''[[Law and Disorder (1958 film)|Law and Disorder]]'' (1958) |
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*''[[Floods of Fear]]'' (1959) |
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*''[[The Battle of the Sexes (1959 film)|The Battle of the Sexes]]'' ([[1959 in film|1959]]) |
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*''[[The Boy Who Stole a Million]]'' (1960) |
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*''[[The Third Secret (film)|The Third Secret]]'' ([[1964 in film|1964]]) |
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*''[[He Who Rides a Tiger]]'' (1965) |
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*''[[A Fish Called Wanda]]'' ([[1988 in film|1988]]) (for which Crichton also co-wrote the original story) |
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{{div col end}} |
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== |
===Feature films=== |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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! Year |
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! Title |
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!width=65| Director |
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!width=65| Writer |
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! Notes |
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|- |
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| 1944 |
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| ''[[For Those in Peril (1944 film)|For Those in Peril]]'' |
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| {{yes}} |
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| {{no}} |
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| |
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|- |
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|rowspan=2| 1945 |
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| ''[[Dead of Night]]'' |
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| {{yes}} |
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| {{no}} |
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| Co-Directed with [[Alberto Cavalcanti]], [[Basil Dearden]] and [[Robert Hamer]]<br>Directed Segment: ''The Golfer's Story'' |
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|- |
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| ''[[Painted Boats]]'' |
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| {{yes}} |
|||
| {{no}} |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
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| 1947 |
|||
| ''[[Hue and Cry (film)|Hue and Cry]]'' |
|||
| {{yes}} |
|||
| {{no}} |
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| |
|||
|- |
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|rowspan=2| 1948 |
|||
| ''[[Against the Wind (1948 film)|Against the Wind]]'' |
|||
| {{yes}} |
|||
| {{no}} |
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| |
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|- |
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| ''[[Another Shore]]'' |
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| {{yes}} |
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| {{no}} |
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| |
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|- |
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| 1949 |
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| ''[[Train of Events]]'' |
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| {{yes}} |
|||
| {{no}} |
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| Co-Directed with [[Sidney Cole]] and Basil Dearden<br>Directed Segment: ''The Composer'' |
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|- |
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| 1950 |
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| ''[[Dance Hall (1950 film)|Dance Hall]]'' |
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| {{yes}} |
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| {{no}} |
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| |
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|- |
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| 1951 |
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| ''[[The Lavender Hill Mob]]'' |
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| {{yes}} |
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| {{no}} |
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| Nominated – [[Golden Lion]]<br>Nominated – [[Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Feature Film]] |
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|- |
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| 1952 |
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| ''[[Hunted (1952 film)|Hunted]]'' |
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| {{yes}} |
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| {{no}} |
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| |
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|- |
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| 1953 |
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| ''[[The Titfield Thunderbolt]]'' |
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| {{yes}} |
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| {{no}} |
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| |
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|- |
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|rowspan=2| 1954 |
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| ''[[The Love Lottery]]'' |
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| {{yes}} |
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| {{no}} |
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| |
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|- |
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| ''[[The Divided Heart]]'' |
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| {{yes}} |
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| {{no}} |
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|- |
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| 1957 |
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| ''[[Man in the Sky]]'' |
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| {{yes}} |
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| {{no}} |
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| |
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|- |
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| 1958 |
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| ''[[Law and Disorder (1958 film)|Law and Disorder]]'' |
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| {{yes}} |
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| {{no}} |
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| |
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|- |
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|rowspan=2| 1959 |
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| ''[[Floods of Fear]]'' |
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| {{yes}} |
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| {{yes}} |
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| |
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|- |
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| ''[[The Battle of the Sexes (1959 film)|The Battle of the Sexes]]'' |
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| {{yes}} |
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| {{no}} |
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| |
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|- |
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| 1960 |
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| ''[[The Boy Who Stole a Million]]'' |
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| {{yes}} |
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| {{yes}} |
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|- |
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| 1964 |
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| ''[[The Third Secret (film)|The Third Secret]]'' |
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| {{yes}} |
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| {{no}} |
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| |
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|- |
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| 1965 |
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| ''[[He Who Rides a Tiger]]'' |
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| {{yes}} |
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| {{no}} |
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| |
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|- |
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| 1988 |
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| ''[[A Fish Called Wanda]]'' |
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| {{yes}} |
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| {{yes|Story}} |
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| Nominated – [[Academy Award for Best Director]]<br>Nominated – [[Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay]]<br>Nominated – [[BAFTA Award for Best Film]]<br>Nominated – [[BAFTA Award for Best Direction]]<br>Nominated – [[Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Feature Film]]<br>Nominated – [[Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay]] |
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===Television=== |
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*''[[Danger Man]]'' |
*''[[Danger Man]]'' |
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{{Portal|Biography}} |
{{Portal|Biography}} |
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*{{IMDb name | id=0187769}} |
*{{IMDb name | id=0187769}} |
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*{{cite web |title=Charles Crichton |url=https://historyproject.org.uk/interview/charles-crichton |website=[[The British Entertainment History Project]]}} |
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*[http://www.screenonline.org.uk/audio/id/952332/index.html BECTU interview of Crichton] conducted by [[Sidney Cole|Sid Cole]] and Alan Lawton (1987) reproduced on the BFI screenonline website |
*[http://www.screenonline.org.uk/audio/id/952332/index.html BECTU interview of Crichton] conducted by [[Sidney Cole|Sid Cole]] and Alan Lawton (1987) reproduced on the BFI screenonline website |
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*{{Find a Grave|23454}} |
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{{Charles Crichton}} |
{{Charles Crichton}} |
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|title = Awards for Charles Crichton |
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Latest revision as of 16:37, 20 October 2024
Charles Crichton | |
|---|---|
 Crichton in 1988 | |
| Born | Charles Ainslie Crichton 6 August 1910[1][2] |
| Died | 14 September 1999 (aged 89) South Kensington, London, England |
| Occupation(s) | film director film editor |
| Years active | 1931–1988 |
Charles Ainslie Crichton[4] (6 August 1910 – 14 September 1999) was an English film director and editor.
Born in Wallasey, Cheshire, he became best known for directing many comedies produced at Ealing Studios and had a 40-year career editing and directing many films and television programmes.[5] For his final film, the acclaimed comedy A Fish Called Wanda (1988), Crichton was nominated for both the Academy Award for Best Director and the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay (along with the film's star John Cleese).
Early life and education
[edit]Crichton, one of six children, was born on 6 August 1910 in Wallasey, Cheshire, England.[4][6][7] He was educated at Oundle School in Northamptonshire, followed by New College at the University of Oxford where he read History.[8][9][10]
Career
[edit]Editing
[edit]In 1931, Crichton began his career in the film industry as a film editor.[4] His first credit as editor was Men of Tomorrow (1932).[9] He edited over fifty films, such as Things to Come (1936).[7] Other films he edited included those that were produced by Alexander Korda, such as Cash (1933), The Girl from Maxim's (1933), The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933), Sanders of the River (1935), Elephant Boy (1937) and The Thief of Bagdad (1940).[6][9] Crichton was paid £8 per week for his editing.[10] In 1940, Crichton began his employment at Ealing Studios.[4] There he edited the film, The Big Blockade (1942).[6] Crichton also served as an associate producer of the film, Nine Men (1943), which he also edited.[9]
Directing
[edit]Crichton made his directorial debut with For Those in Peril (1944).[6][7][10] In 1945, he directed Painted Boats and co-directed a segment in Dead of Night.[9] Crichton then directed Hue and Cry (1947), a film considered to be the first comedy released by Ealing Studios.[6][10] Crichton later directed Against the Wind (1948) and Dance Hall (1950).[9] Crichton then directed Alec Guinness in The Lavender Hill Mob (1951).[6][7][9][10] This was followed by Hunted (1952), starring Dirk Bogarde.[6][9] Afterwards, Crichton directed The Titfield Thunderbolt (1953).[6][7][9][10] Later films he directed during the 1950s included The Divided Heart (1954), Law and Disorder (1958), and Floods of Fear (1959).[9] He also directed Peter Sellers in The Battle of the Sexes (1959).[10][11]
Crichton was the original director of Birdman of Alcatraz (1962),[12] but he quit after clashing with Burt Lancaster. Crichton was then replaced by John Frankenheimer.[6] Crichton said of the experience: "Had I known that Burt Lancaster was to be de facto producer, I do not think I would have accepted the assignment, as he had a reputation for quarreling with better directors than I. But Harold Hecht, the credited producer, had assured me that there would be no interference from Lancaster. This did not prove to be the case."[13] Crichton was also planning another film project with Sammy Davis Jr., but it never came to fruition due to the death of a producer involved with it.[4]
The Third Secret (1964) and He Who Rides a Tiger (1965), the last two films Crichton directed during the 1960s, were not successful.[4] The latter film was the last film he directed for 23 years.[7][14][15][16]
Crichton moved to directing television shows, then corporate videos. The latter were through John Cleese's company Video Arts. This led Cleese to propose Crichton returning to the crime comedy film genre.[17] Beginning in 1983, Cleese and Crichton worked together on the story for A Fish Called Wanda. Cleese wrote the screenplay. When the film went into production in 1987, Cleese had to act as stand-by director for insurance reasons since Crichton was 77 years old.[18] Cleese said of working with Crichton as a stand-by director: "That was a subterfuge. I knew the studio would be worried about Charlie's age. I don't know anything about how to direct, but that doesn't stop one-half of the directors. I simply prayed that Charlie would be on the set every morning. He shoots in such a way to convey the essence of every scene. He's economical. He's a dear man who's terrified of showing off. If he says anything shrewd or insightful, he'll apologize for a minute so he won't be considered pompous."[19]
Personal life and death
[edit]In 1936, Crichton married Vera Harman-Mills, and together they had two sons, David and Nicholas.[9][10][11] Nicholas became an eminent judge and reformer in UK family law.[20] Crichton married his second wife, Nadine Haze, in 1962, and their marriage lasted until his death.[9]
Following completion of production on A Fish Called Wanda, Crichton retired from the entertainment industry and spent the rest of his life living comfortably, fishing in both Scotland and Wales.[17][21] He died on 14 September 1999 in South Kensington, London, at the age of 89.[4][22]
Filmography
[edit]Feature films
[edit]Television
[edit]
|
|
References
[edit]- ^ "Charles Crichton, Film Director, Dies at 89". The New York Times. 16 September 1999. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
- ^ "Charles Crichton". Hollywood.com.
- ^ "Charles Crichton". People.theiapolis. Retrieved 16 December 2015.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c d e f g Honan, William (16 September 1999). "Charles Crichton, Film Director, Dies at 89". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
- ^ Kemp, Philip (2000). "Charles Crichton". In Pendergast, Tom; Pendergast, Sara (eds.). International Dictionary of Film and Filmmakers, Edition 4. St. James Press. ISBN 978-1-55862-449-8.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Bergan, Ronald (14 September 1999). "Charles Crichton". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f "Ealing legend dies". The Guardian. 15 September 1999. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- ^ "Charles Crichton". The Guardian. 15 September 1999. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Vallance, Tom (15 September 1999). "Obituary: Charles Crichton". The Independent. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Charles Crichton: A legend of British film". BBC News. 15 September 1999. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- ^ a b Oliver, Myrna (16 September 1999). "Charles Crichton; British Director of Movie Comedies". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- ^ Scott, Vernon (20 May 1978). "Actor lives in fear of snips". Lodi News-Sentinel. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
- ^ "Overview for Charles Crichton". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
- ^ "Charles Crichton". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 16 September 1999. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
- ^ Gazlay, Kristin (16 September 1999). "Director Charles Crichton dies at 89". The Daily Gazette. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
- ^ "Comedy film director Charles Crichton, 89". Bangor Daily News. 16 September 1999. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
- ^ a b "BFI Screenonline: Crichton, Charles (1910–1999) Biography".
- ^ Mayer, Geoff (2012). Historical Dictionary of Crime Films. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810879003.
- ^ Harmetz, Aljean (26 March 1989). "'Fish Called Wanda' a Crichton Keeper". The Milwaukee Journal. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
- ^ Brindle, David (21 December 2018). "Nicholas Crichton obituary". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- ^ "BBC News | Entertainment | Charles Crichton: A legend of British film".
- ^ "John F. White Sr.,75, considered the dean of..." The Baltimore Sun. 17 September 1999. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
External links
[edit]
- Charles Crichton at IMDb
- "Charles Crichton". The British Entertainment History Project.
- BECTU interview of Crichton conducted by Sid Cole and Alan Lawton (1987) reproduced on the BFI screenonline website
