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Frank Launder is a Director, Scriptwriter, Producer and Script British born on 28 january 1906 at Hitchin (United-kingdom)
Frank Launder (28 January 1906 — 23 February 1997) was an English writer, director and producer, who made more than 40 films, many of them in collaboration with Sidney Gilliat.
He was born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England and began working as a screenwriter on British films in the 1930s, contributing the story for the classic Will Hay comedy Oh, Mr Porter! (1937). After writing a number of screenplays with Gilliat, including The Lady Vanishes (1938) and Night Train to Munich, the two men produced and directed the wartime drama Millions Like Us (1943). After founding their own production company Individual Pictures, they produced a number of memorable dramas and thrillers including I See a Dark Stranger (1945) and Green for Danger (1946), but were best known for their comedies including The Happiest Days of Your Life (1950) and most famously, the St Trinians series, based on Ronald Searle's cartoons set in an anarchic girls school. He was married to actress Bernadette O'Farrell from 1950 until his death in Monaco.
C'est vers 1930 qu'il commence à travailler comme scénariste, en adaptant des films classiques, et avec des comédies comme Oh, Mr Porter! (1937). Il entama ensuite une longue collaboration avec Sidney Gilliat. Ensemble, ils écrivirent les scénarios de plusieurs films qui rencontrèrent un certain succès comme Une femme disparaît (The Lady Vanishes, 1938) et ce qui en constitue la suite : Train de nuit pour Munich (Night Train to Munich, 1940).
En pleine Seconde Guerre mondiale, le tandem produisit et dirigea le drame Ceux de chez nous (Millions Like Us, 1943).
Par la suite, ils fondèrent leur propre société de production, Individual Pictures, et réalisèrent dans ce cadre bon nombre de drames et de films à suspense comme L'Étrange Aventurière (I See a Dark Stranger, 1945) et La Couleur qui tue (Green for Danger, 1946). Cependant, parmi leurs films les plus remarquables figurent aussi des comédies qui connurent un vif succès : Cette sacrée jeunesse (The Happiest Days of Your Life, 1950), mais aussi et surtout la série très populaire des St. Trinian's, basée sur les personnages dessinés par Ronald Searle avec, pour décor, un pensionnat de jeunes filles.
Launder fut marié de 1950 jusqu'à sa mort à l'actrice Bernadette O'Farrell .
Source : Wikidata
Frank Launder
Nationality United-kingdom
Birth 28 january 1906 at Hitchin (United-kingdom)
Death 23 february 1997 (at 91 years) at Monte Carlo (Monaco)
Birth 28 january 1906 at Hitchin (United-kingdom)
Death 23 february 1997 (at 91 years) at Monte Carlo (Monaco)
He was born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England and began working as a screenwriter on British films in the 1930s, contributing the story for the classic Will Hay comedy Oh, Mr Porter! (1937). After writing a number of screenplays with Gilliat, including The Lady Vanishes (1938) and Night Train to Munich, the two men produced and directed the wartime drama Millions Like Us (1943). After founding their own production company Individual Pictures, they produced a number of memorable dramas and thrillers including I See a Dark Stranger (1945) and Green for Danger (1946), but were best known for their comedies including The Happiest Days of Your Life (1950) and most famously, the St Trinians series, based on Ronald Searle's cartoons set in an anarchic girls school. He was married to actress Bernadette O'Farrell from 1950 until his death in Monaco.
Biography
Frank Launder travailla d'abord comme conseiller officiel pour les entreprises en faillite au sein de la Brighton Repertory Company. Grâce aux bons rapports écrits réalisés pour sa société, il acquit une certaine réputation, si bien qu'en 1928, le département international de la communication aux studios Elstree le sollicitérent pour l'écriture de scénarios.C'est vers 1930 qu'il commence à travailler comme scénariste, en adaptant des films classiques, et avec des comédies comme Oh, Mr Porter! (1937). Il entama ensuite une longue collaboration avec Sidney Gilliat. Ensemble, ils écrivirent les scénarios de plusieurs films qui rencontrèrent un certain succès comme Une femme disparaît (The Lady Vanishes, 1938) et ce qui en constitue la suite : Train de nuit pour Munich (Night Train to Munich, 1940).
En pleine Seconde Guerre mondiale, le tandem produisit et dirigea le drame Ceux de chez nous (Millions Like Us, 1943).
Par la suite, ils fondèrent leur propre société de production, Individual Pictures, et réalisèrent dans ce cadre bon nombre de drames et de films à suspense comme L'Étrange Aventurière (I See a Dark Stranger, 1945) et La Couleur qui tue (Green for Danger, 1946). Cependant, parmi leurs films les plus remarquables figurent aussi des comédies qui connurent un vif succès : Cette sacrée jeunesse (The Happiest Days of Your Life, 1950), mais aussi et surtout la série très populaire des St. Trinian's, basée sur les personnages dessinés par Ronald Searle avec, pour décor, un pensionnat de jeunes filles.
Launder fut marié de 1950 jusqu'à sa mort à l'actrice Bernadette O'Farrell .
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Filmography of Frank Launder (66 films)
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, 1h31Directed by Frank Launder
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy
Themes Films about education
Actors Sheila Hancock, Michael Hordern, Thorley Walters, Rodney Bewes, Maureen Lipman, Julia McKenzie
Rating38%
The girls of St. Trinian's hatch yet another fiendish plot—a trade union for British schoolgirls. Their friend and mentor, Flash Harry, suggests a plan which involves kidnapping girls from other rather more respectable colleges and substituting their own "agents". Thus begins a hilarious, often bloody, battle of wits as the girls meet resistance not only from Olga Vandermeer, their Headmistress, but from the Minister of Education, a private detective, and an oil sheikh. Despite all his desperate efforts to foil the conspiracy, the Minister has to face a growing realisation that the girls' demands will have to be met—for him this will mean a very great and very personal sacrifice.
, 1h30Directed by Sidney Gilliat, Frank Launder
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy, Action, Crime
Themes Films about education, Transport films, Rail transport films
Actors Frankie Howerd, Dora Bryan, George Cole, Reg Varney, Raymond Huntley, Richard Wattis
Rating58%
"Alphonse" Askett (Frankie Howerd) is a hairdresser who is also the operational leader of a gang of crooks who are led behind the scenes by an invisible mastermind (voiced by Stratford Johns). He gives instructions to Askett about the robbery, Operation Windfall, using a variety of James Bond-like communications devices—including a converted showerhead.
Joey Boy (1965)
, 1h31Directed by Frank Launder
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy
Themes Political films
Actors Harry H. Corbett, Stanley Baxter, Bill Fraser, Percy Herbert, Lance Percival, Reg Varney
Rating49%
After a gang of London Spivs are arrested for running an illegal gambling den during the Second World War they are offered a choice between prison and a tour of duty with the British Army putting their unique talents to work.
, 1h34Directed by Frank Launder
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy
Themes Films about education
Actors Cecil Parker, Joyce Grenfell, George Cole, Eric Barker, Thorley Walters, Irene Handl
Rating61%
The girls burn their school to the ground, and subsequently are found guilty at the Old Bailey. The judge, however, is keen on leggy blonde Rosalie (Julie Alexander), and under her influence the girls are freed when Professor Canford of the University of Bagdad (Cecil Parker) claims he can rehabilitate the girls with the tutelage of teacher Miss Harker-Packer (Irene Handl), and requests they be placed in his custody for a 12-month probationary period. Canford’s real scheme is not so benevolent, and he has ulterior motives for sending the St. Trinian’s Sixth Form girls, along with Flash Harry (George Cole) and police Sgt. Ruby Gates (Joyce Grenfell), on a bogus cultural tour of the Greek Islands aboard a luxury yacht.
The Bridal Path (1959)
, 1h35Directed by Frank Launder
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy, Romantic comedy
Actors Bill Travers, George Cole, Annette Crosbie, Dilys Laye, Eddie Byrne, Terry Scott
Rating66%
Ewan McEwan, an easy-going sheep and corn farmer on a remote Scottish island, is unable to marry his childhood sweetheart Katie as her hell-raising preacher father is opposed to consanguinity - all the islanders are related to each other. When Katie leaves for Glasgow to train as a nurse, he decides to find a wife on the mainland (which he has never visited).
Blue Murder at St. Trinian's (1957)
, 1h26Directed by Frank Launder
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy
Themes Films about education
Actors Terry-Thomas, George Cole, Joyce Grenfell, Lionel Jeffries, Alastair Sim, Richard Wattis
Rating63%
Spiv "Flash Harry" has set up a marriage agency for the Sixth Form and an Italian Prince is interested in meeting the girls. Meanwhile, the father of one of the Sixth Formers is involved in a diamond theft and recklessly decides to hide out at the school.
Geordie (1955)
, 1h40Directed by Frank Launder
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Drama, Comedy, Romance
Themes Sports films, Athletics films, Films about the Olympic Games
Actors Bill Travers, Alastair Sim, Molly Urquhart, Francis De Wolff, Raymond Huntley, Miles Malleson
Rating67%
The Belles of St. Trinian's (1954)
, 1h31Directed by Frank Launder
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy
Themes Films about education
Actors Alastair Sim, Joyce Grenfell, George Cole, Hermione Baddeley, Betty Ann Davies, Beryl Reid
Rating66%
A new term opens at St Trinian's School for Young Ladies, striking terror into the local residents and police. Headmistress Millicent Fritton (Alastair Sim) has an unorthodox teaching philosophy, letting her students run wild.
Folly to Be Wise (1953)
, 1h31Directed by Frank Launder
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy
Themes Military humor in film
Actors Alastair Sim, Elizabeth Allan, Roland Culver, Edward Chapman, Martita Hunt, Colin Gordon
Rating61%
Lady Godiva Rides Again (1951)
, 1h30Directed by Frank Launder
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy
Actors Alastair Sim, Dennis Price, Diana Dors, John McCallum, Stanley Holloway, Joan Collins
Rating58%
, 1h21Directed by Frank Launder
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy
Themes Films about education, Films based on plays
Actors Alastair Sim, Margaret Rutherford, John Turnbull, Guy Middleton, Joyce Grenfell, Edward Rigby
Rating71%
Set in 1949, confusion reigns when St Swithin's Girls' School is accidentally billeted at Nutbourne College: a boys' school. The two heads, Wetherby Pond (Alastair Sim) and Muriel Whitchurch (Margaret Rutherford), try to cope with the ensuing chaos, as the children and staff attempt to live in the newly cramped conditions (it being impossible to share dormitories or other facilities), and seek to prevent the children taking advantage of their new opportunities.
The Blue Lagoon (1949)
, 1h41Directed by Frank Launder
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Drama, Comedy-drama, Adventure, Romance
Themes Seafaring films, Transport films, Disaster films, Films about seafaring accidents or incidents
Actors Jean Simmons, Donald Houston, Noel Purcell, James Hayter, Cyril Cusack, Maurice Denham
Rating63%
In the Victorian period, Emmeline Foster and Michael Reynolds, two British children, are the survivors of a shipwreck in the South Pacific. After days afloat, they are marooned on a lush tropical island in the company of kindly old sailor Paddy Button. Eventually, Paddy dies in a drunken binge, leaving Emmeline and Michael all alone with each other. Together, they survive solely on their resourcefulness, and the bounty of their remote paradise.
Captain Boycott (1947)
, 1h32Directed by Frank Launder
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Drama, Historical
Actors Stewart Granger, Kathleen Ryan, Cecil Parker, Mervyn Johns, Alastair Sim, Noel Purcell
Rating63%
During the period of Irish history known as The Land War, Irish tenant farmers were being squeezed dry by absentee English landlords. Some resorted to the gun to achieve justice, but others, inspired by the Irish statesman Charles Stewart Parnell (played in a cameo role by Robert Donat), shunned violence and adopted a form of passive resistance. The farmers are led by Hugh Davin (Stewart Granger), who, with the help of the local priest, Father McKeogh (Alastair Sim), encourages his fellow tenants to ostracize their land agent, the bombastic Captain Boycott (Cecil Parker). There is a love interest in the form of Ann Killain (Kathleen Ryan), whose father is also shunned for taking up a farm from which another farmer had been evicted. The resultant stand-off attracts international news coverage and will ultimately introduce a new word – to boycott – to the English language.
I See a Dark Stranger (1946)
, 1h52Directed by Frank Launder
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Drama, War, Thriller, Action, Spy, Romance
Themes Spy films, Political films
Actors Deborah Kerr, Trevor Howard, Raymond Huntley, Michael Howard, Norman Shelley, Brenda Bruce
Rating69%
In May 1944, during World War II, when nationalistic Irishwoman Bridie Quilty (Deborah Kerr) turns 21, she sets out to fulfill a lifelong dream engendered by listening to her late father's stories of the Irish Revolution. She leaves her small rural village and goes to Dublin. On the way, she shares a train compartment with J. Miller (Raymond Huntley), but believing him to be English, she is very brusque with him. Once in the city, she seeks out a famous ex-radical her father had supposedly fought alongside, Michael O'Callaghan (Brefni O'Rorke), and asks him to help her join the Irish Republican Army. However, he has mellowed as the situation in Ireland has improved and tries unsuccessfully to dissuade her from her overly romantic notion.
Two Thousand Women (1944)
Directed by Frank Launder, Phyllis Calvert
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Drama, War, Comedy, Comedy-drama, Historical
Themes Prison films, Political films
Actors Phyllis Calvert, Flora Robson, Patricia Roc, Reginald Purdell, Anne Crawford, Jean Kent
Rating64%
An English novice nun (Patricia Roc) is arrested by the French as a fifth columnist during the 1940 Battle of France. While she is imprisoned, the Germans occupy France and she is sent (without her habit) to an internment camp in a grand hotel at a spa. She journeys to the camp with Freda (a journalist played by Phyllis Calvert), Bridie (a stripper played by Jean Kent), Muriel (Flora Robson) and her female companion Miss Meredith (Muriel Aked). At the camp they meet Maud (Renee Houston) and Mrs Burtshaw (Thora Hird).