Anthony Pelissier
Encyclopedia
Harry Anthony Compton Pelissier (1912 – 2 April 1988) was an English
actor, screenwriter, producer
and director.
and came from a theatrical family. His parents were the theatre producer H. G. Pelissier
(who presented Pelissier's Follies) and the distinguished actress Fay Compton
. His uncle was Compton MacKenzie
, who wrote Whisky Galore.
Pelissier began acting in the 1930s. In 1935 and 1936, he was featured in Noël Coward
's play cycle, Tonight at 8.30, both in Britain and on Broadway. He also played in Coward's Set to Music
(1939) He began writing in 1937 and directing in 1949. He was the screenwriter and director of three popular films, The History of Mr Polly
(1949), based on a novel by H. G. Wells
, The Rocking Horse Winner
(1950), based on a short story by D. H. Lawrence
and Personal Affair
starring Gene Tierney
written by Lesley Storm
. He also directed Encore
(1951). He also directed Ealing's satire on television Meet Mr Lucifer
(1953). He later headed the experimental production unit at the BBC.
Pelissier was married four times: first to actress Penelope Dudley Ward
(29 December 1939 – divorced 1944). The couple had one daughter, actress Tracy Reed. His second wife was Margaret Hyde, with whom he produced two daughters, Harriet and Marie-Louise. His third wife was actress Monica Greey with whom he had one son, producer Joe Pelissier. His last wife was actress Ursula Howells
(1968–1988).
He died in Eastbourne
in 1988, aged 75.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
actor, screenwriter, producer
Theatrical producer
A theatrical producer is the person ultimately responsible for overseeing all aspects of mounting a theatre production. The independent producer will usually be the originator and finder of the script and starts the whole process...
and director.
Biography
Pelissier was born in BarnetBarnet
High Barnet or Chipping Barnet is a place in the London Borough of Barnet, North London, England. It is a suburban development built around a twelfth-century settlement and is located north north-west of Charing Cross. Its name is often abbreviated to Barnet, which is also the name of the London...
and came from a theatrical family. His parents were the theatre producer H. G. Pelissier
H. G. Pelissier
Harry Gabriel Pelissier was an English theatrical producer, composer and satirist. Pelissier presented a number of theatrical productions during the Edwardian era, such as Pelissier's Follies.-Theatrical career:...
(who presented Pelissier's Follies) and the distinguished actress Fay Compton
Fay Compton
Fay Compton was an English actress from a notable acting lineage; her father was actor/manager Edward Compton; her mother, Virginia Bateman, was a distinguished member of the profession, as were her sister, the actress Viola Compton, and her uncles and aunts. Her grandfather was the 19th-century...
. His uncle was Compton MacKenzie
Compton Mackenzie
Sir Compton Mackenzie, OBE was a writer and a Scottish nationalist.-Background:Compton Mackenzie was born in West Hartlepool, England, into a theatrical family of Mackenzies, but many of whose members used Compton as their stage surname, starting with his grandfather Henry Compton, a well-known...
, who wrote Whisky Galore.
Pelissier began acting in the 1930s. In 1935 and 1936, he was featured in Noël Coward
Noël Coward
Sir Noël Peirce Coward was an English playwright, composer, director, actor and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what Time magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and chic, pose and poise".Born in Teddington, a suburb of London, Coward attended a dance academy...
's play cycle, Tonight at 8.30, both in Britain and on Broadway. He also played in Coward's Set to Music
Set to Music
Set to Music is a musical revue with sketches, music and lyrics by Noël Coward.Produced by John C. Wilson, the Broadway production opened on January 15, 1939 at the Music Box Theatre, where it ran for 129 performances...
(1939) He began writing in 1937 and directing in 1949. He was the screenwriter and director of three popular films, The History of Mr Polly
The History of Mr. Polly (film)
The History of Mr. Polly is a 1949 British film, based on the 1910 comic novel The History of Mr. Polly by H.G. Wells. It was directed by Anthony Pelissier and stars John Mills, Betty Ann Davies, Megs Jenkins and Finlay Currie...
(1949), based on a novel by H. G. Wells
H. G. Wells
Herbert George Wells was an English author, now best known for his work in the science fiction genre. He was also a prolific writer in many other genres, including contemporary novels, history, politics and social commentary, even writing text books and rules for war games...
, The Rocking Horse Winner
The Rocking Horse Winner (film)
The Rocking Horse Winner is a 1949 fantasy film about a young boy who can pick winners in horse races with complete accuracy. It is an adaptation of the D. H. Lawrence short story "The Rocking-Horse Winner" and starred Valerie Hobson, John Howard Davies and Ronald Squire...
(1950), based on a short story by D. H. Lawrence
D. H. Lawrence
David Herbert Richards Lawrence was an English novelist, poet, playwright, essayist, literary critic and painter who published as D. H. Lawrence. His collected works represent an extended reflection upon the dehumanising effects of modernity and industrialisation...
and Personal Affair
Personal Affair
Personal Affair is a 1953 British drama film directed by Anthony Pelissier and starring Gene Tierney, Leo Genn, and Glynis Johns.-Plot summary:...
starring Gene Tierney
Gene Tierney
Gene Eliza Tierney was an American film and stage actress. Acclaimed as one of the great beauties of her day, she is best remembered for her performance in the title role of Laura and her Academy Award-nominated performance for Best Actress in Leave Her to Heaven .Other notable roles include...
written by Lesley Storm
Lesley Storm
Lesley Storm was the pen-name of Mabel Cowie also known by her married name of Mabel Clark.She was a Scottish writer, who wrote a number of plays, some of which were filmed. Black Chiffon and Roar Like a Dove were major hits...
. He also directed Encore
Encore (1951 film)
Encore is a 1951 anthology film composed of adaptations of three short stories by W. Somerset Maugham:*"The Ant and the Grasshopper", directed by Pat Jackson and adapted by T. E. B...
(1951). He also directed Ealing's satire on television Meet Mr Lucifer
Meet Mr. Lucifer
Meet Mr. Lucifer is a black and white British comedy satire film released in 1953 starring Stanley Holloway. Filmed at Ealing Studios, London, The film is based on the play Beggar My Neighbour by Arnold Ridley -Plot:When Mr Pedelty leaves his firm, he is given a...
(1953). He later headed the experimental production unit at the BBC.
Pelissier was married four times: first to actress Penelope Dudley Ward
Penelope Dudley Ward
Penelope Ann Rachel, Lady Reed , known as Penelope Dudley-Ward, was an English actress.Born Penelope Anne Rachel Dudley Ward in London, she was the elder daughter of The Right Honourable William Dudley Ward and the leading socialite Freda Dudley Ward, most well-known for being the long-time...
(29 December 1939 – divorced 1944). The couple had one daughter, actress Tracy Reed. His second wife was Margaret Hyde, with whom he produced two daughters, Harriet and Marie-Louise. His third wife was actress Monica Greey with whom he had one son, producer Joe Pelissier. His last wife was actress Ursula Howells
Ursula Howells
Ursula Howells was an English actress whose elegant presence kept her much in demand for roles in film and television....
(1968–1988).
He died in Eastbourne
Eastbourne
Eastbourne is a large town and borough in East Sussex, on the south coast of England between Brighton and Hastings. The town is situated at the eastern end of the chalk South Downs alongside the high cliff at Beachy Head...
in 1988, aged 75.
Selected filmography
- Perfect StrangersPerfect Strangers (1945 film)Perfect Strangers , is a 1945 British drama film made by London Films. It stars Robert Donat and Deborah Kerr as a married couple whose relationship is shaken by their service in the Second World War. The supporting cast includes Glynis Johns, Ann Todd, Roland Culver, and Roger Moore in his...
(1945) (writer) - The History of Mr PollyThe History of Mr. Polly (film)The History of Mr. Polly is a 1949 British film, based on the 1910 comic novel The History of Mr. Polly by H.G. Wells. It was directed by Anthony Pelissier and stars John Mills, Betty Ann Davies, Megs Jenkins and Finlay Currie...
(1949) (writer and director) - The Rocking Horse WinnerThe Rocking Horse Winner (film)The Rocking Horse Winner is a 1949 fantasy film about a young boy who can pick winners in horse races with complete accuracy. It is an adaptation of the D. H. Lawrence short story "The Rocking-Horse Winner" and starred Valerie Hobson, John Howard Davies and Ronald Squire...
(1950) (writer and director) - EncoreEncore (1951 film)Encore is a 1951 anthology film composed of adaptations of three short stories by W. Somerset Maugham:*"The Ant and the Grasshopper", directed by Pat Jackson and adapted by T. E. B...
(1951) (director) - Personal AffairPersonal AffairPersonal Affair is a 1953 British drama film directed by Anthony Pelissier and starring Gene Tierney, Leo Genn, and Glynis Johns.-Plot summary:...
(1953) (director)
External links
- Anthony Pelissier at the IBDB database