Basil Dean
Encyclopedia
Basil Herbert Dean CBE
(27 September 1888 — 22 April 1978) was an English
actor
, writer
, film producer
/director
and theatrical producer
/director
.
Born in Croydon, Surrey
, Dean started his career in showbusiness in London
as a West End
stage actor, and then later became a theatrical producer. He later moved into the film industry and in the early 1930s founded Associated Talking Pictures, which later became Ealing Studios
. He publicised and worked alongside Gracie Fields
and George Formby, among other entertainers. When the war started he left the film
industry
and became the head of ENSA
, the government-sponsored body responsible for bringing live performances to the armed services. He was awarded the CBE
for his work with ENSA.
His wives included Lady Mercy Greville and Esther Van Gruisen. From August 1934 until 1939 he was married to British stage and film actress, Victoria Hopper
. Dean had a relationship with one of his theatre and film stars Meggie Albanesi
and after her death in 1923 continued to be obsessed with her.
Dean died in Westminster, London from a heart attack
at the age of 89.
CBE
CBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
(27 September 1888 — 22 April 1978) was an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, film producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
/director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
and theatrical 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...
/director
Theatre direction
A theatre director or stage director is a practitioner in the theatre field who oversees and orchestrates the mounting of a theatre production by unifying various endeavours and aspects of production...
.
Born in Croydon, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, Dean started his career in showbusiness in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
as a West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
stage actor, and then later became a theatrical producer. He later moved into the film industry and in the early 1930s founded Associated Talking Pictures, which later became Ealing Studios
Ealing Studios
Ealing Studios is a television and film production company and facilities provider at Ealing Green in West London. Will Barker bought the White Lodge on Ealing Green in 1902 as a base for film making, and films have been made on the site ever since...
. He publicised and worked alongside Gracie Fields
Gracie Fields
Dame Gracie Fields, DBE , was an English-born, later Italian-based actress, singer and comedienne and star of both cinema and music hall.-Early life:...
and George Formby, among other entertainers. When the war started he left the film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
industry
Industry
Industry refers to the production of an economic good or service within an economy.-Industrial sectors:There are four key industrial economic sectors: the primary sector, largely raw material extraction industries such as mining and farming; the secondary sector, involving refining, construction,...
and became the head of ENSA
Entertainments National Service Association
The Entertainments National Service Association or ENSA was an organisation set up in 1939 by Basil Dean and Leslie Henson to provide entertainment for British armed forces personnel during World War II. ENSA operated as part of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes...
, the government-sponsored body responsible for bringing live performances to the armed services. He was awarded the CBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
for his work with ENSA.
His wives included Lady Mercy Greville and Esther Van Gruisen. From August 1934 until 1939 he was married to British stage and film actress, Victoria Hopper
Victoria Hopper
Victoria Hopper was a Canadian-born British stage and film actress and singer.Hopper was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and raised in Dunston, Gateshead, England. She was popular during the 1930s. She was married from August 1934 until 1939 to Basil Dean, a British stage and film...
. Dean had a relationship with one of his theatre and film stars Meggie Albanesi
Meggie Albanesi
Meggie Albanesi was a British stage and film actress. She was born Margherita Albanesi in London on 8 October 1899. Her mother was Effie Adelaide Rowlands, a writer, and her father was Chevalier Carlo Albanesi, an Italian violinist. She attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and made her film...
and after her death in 1923 continued to be obsessed with her.
Dean died in Westminster, London from a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
at the age of 89.
Producer filmography
- The Constant NymphThe Constant Nymph (1928 film)The Constant Nymph is a 1928 British silent film drama, directed by Adrian Brunel and starring Ivor Novello and Mabel Poulton. This was the first film adaptation of the 1924 best-selling and controversial novel of the same name by Margaret Kennedy...
(1928) - The Return of Sherlock HolmesThe Return of Sherlock Holmes (1929 film)The Return of Sherlock Holmes is a 1929 American mystery film directed by Basil Dean and starring Clive Brook, H. Reeves-Smith and Betty Lawford. The film is loosely based on The Return of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle.-Cast:...
(1929) - EscapeEscape (1930 film)Escape is a 1930 British crime film directed by Basil Dean and starring Gerald du Maurier, Edna Best, Gordon Harker and Austin Trevor. A man escapes from Dartmoor Prison and is hunted across the moors by policemen to whom it is an unpleasant reminder of their experiences during the First World War....
(1930) - Birds of Prey (1930)
- Sally in Our AlleySally in Our AlleySally in Our Alley is a British romantic comedy drama film made at Ealing Studios. It was directed by Maurice Elvey and starred Gracie Fields, Ian Hunter, and Florence Desmond....
(1931) - Nine Till SixNine Till SixNine Till Six is a 1932 British drama film directed by Basil Dean and starring Louise Hampton, Elizabeth Allan and Florence Desmond. It was made at Ealing Studios.-Cast:* Louise Hampton ... Madam* Elizabeth Allan ... Gracie Abbott...
(1932) - Love on the SpotLove on the SpotLove on the Spot is a 1934 British musical film directed by Graham Cutts and starring Rosemary Ames, Richard Dolman and Aubrey Mather. Two criminals are reformed when they meet and fall in love.-Cast:* Rosemary Ames - Joan Prior...
(1932) - Looking on the Bright SideLooking on the Bright SideLooking on The Bright Side is a British comedy musical film made at Ealing Studios. It was directed by Graham Cutts and Basil Dean and starring Gracie Fields, Richard Dolman, and Betty Shale.-Plot summary:...
(1932) - The Impassive FootmanThe Impassive FootmanThe Impassive Footman is a 1932 British drama film made at Ealing Studios and was directed by Basil Dean. The film starred Owen Nares, Betty Stockfeld, Allan Jeayes and George Curzon.-Plot:...
(1932) - The Water GipsiesThe Water GipsiesThe Water Gipsies is a 1932 British drama film made at Ealing Studios and was directed by Maurice Elvey. It starred Ann Todd, Sari Maritza and Ian Hunter. It is an adaptation of the novel The Water Gipsies by A.P...
(1932) - The Sign of FourThe Sign of Four (1932 film)The Sign of Four is a 1932 British crime film directed by Graham Cutts and starring Arthur Wontner, Ian Hunter and Graham Soutten. The film is based on Arthur Conan Doyle's second Sherlock Holmes story The Sign of the Four and was made at Ealing Studios.The film is also known as The Sign of Four:...
(1932) - A Honeymoon Adventure (1932)
- Three Men in a BoatThree Men in a Boat (1933 film)Three Men in a Boat is a 1933 British comedy film directed by Graham Cutts and starring William Austin, Edmund Breon, Billy Milton and Davy Burnaby. It is based on the novel Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K...
(1933) - Skipper of the Osprey (1933)
- Loyalties (1933)
- Autumn Crocus (1934)
- Love, Life and Laughter (1934)
- Java HeadJava Head (1934 film)Java Head is a 1934 British historical drama film directed by Thorold Dickinson and J. Walter Ruben. It starred Anna May Wong, Elizabeth Allan, Ralph Richardson, Herbert Lomas and George Curzon...
(1934) - Sing As We GoSing as We GoSing As We Go is a 1934 British musical film starring Gracie Fields and Stanley Holloway. The script was written by Gordon Wellesley and J. B. Priestley; it was directed by Basil Dean....
(1934) - Lorna Doone (1935)
- Look Up and LaughLook Up and LaughLook Up and Laugh is a British comedy film directed by Basil Dean and starring Gracie Fields, Alfred Drayton, Douglas Wakefield and Vivien Leigh...
(1935) - Midshipman EasyMidshipman EasyMidshipman Easy is a 1935 British adventure film directed by Carol Reed and starring Hughie Green, Margaret Lockwood and Harry Tate. A young man runs away from home, joins the navy and goes to sea in the 1790s. He rescues a captive woman from a Spanish ship and battles pirates and smugglers...
(1935) - No LimitNo Limit (1936 film)No Limit is a 1935 British comedy film which was released by Associated Talking Pictures. It starred George Formby and Florence Desmond.-Synopsis:...
(1936) - The Lonely Road (1936)
- Laburnum GroveLaburnum GroveLaburnum Grove is a 1936 British comedy film, written by J. B. Priestley, directed by Carol Reed and starring Edmund Gwenn, Cedric Hardwicke and Victoria Hopper. To rid himself of his sponging relatives a man tells them he is really a forger which causes them to leave...
(1936) - Keep Your Seats, PleaseKeep Your Seats, PleaseKeep Your Seats, Please is an ATP production comedy film made in 1936, starring George Formby and co-starring Florence Desmond, Alastair Sim, Gus McNaughton and Hal Gordon....
(1936) - Whom the Gods Love (1936)
- Queen of Hearts (1936/I)
- The Show Goes OnThe Show Goes OnThe Show Goes On is a 1937 British musical comedy film directed by Basil Dean and starring Gracie Fields, Owen Nares and John Stuart.-Plot summary:...
(1937) - Keep FitKeep FitKeep Fit is a 1937 British slapstick comedy film made at Ealing Studios.-Plot outline:George Formby again plays his working class underdog, gormless, gullible, indefatigable and triumphant hero....
(1937) - Feather Your Nest (1937)
- Penny ParadisePenny ParadisePenny Paradise is a 1938 British comedy film, produced by Ealing Studios. It was an early directorial assignment for Carol Reed, and along with many other British productions of the era such as the same year's better-known Reed-directed Bank Holiday, is described as: "...belonging to a wider...
(1938) - It's in the AirIt's in the AirIt’s in the Air is a 1938 British slapstick comedy film. It was released in the United States as George Takes the Air in 1940.- Plot outline :...
(1938) - When We Are Married (1938) (for television)
- 21 Days21 Days21 Days, also known as 21 Days Together in the U.S., is a 1940 British drama film based on the short play The First and the Last by John Galsworthy. It was directed by Basil Dean and stars Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier and Leslie Banks...
(1940) (associate producer) - I Believe in You (1952) (co-producer)
- The Gentle GunmanThe Gentle GunmanThe Gentle Gunman is a black-and-white 1952 Ealing Studios drama film, directed by Basil Dearden and starring John Mills and Dirk Bogarde.-Plot:...
(1952) (co-producer)
Director filmography
- The Constant NymphThe Constant Nymph (1928 film)The Constant Nymph is a 1928 British silent film drama, directed by Adrian Brunel and starring Ivor Novello and Mabel Poulton. This was the first film adaptation of the 1924 best-selling and controversial novel of the same name by Margaret Kennedy...
(1928) - The Return of Sherlock HolmesThe Return of Sherlock Holmes (1929 film)The Return of Sherlock Holmes is a 1929 American mystery film directed by Basil Dean and starring Clive Brook, H. Reeves-Smith and Betty Lawford. The film is loosely based on The Return of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle.-Cast:...
(1929) - EscapeEscape (1930 film)Escape is a 1930 British crime film directed by Basil Dean and starring Gerald du Maurier, Edna Best, Gordon Harker and Austin Trevor. A man escapes from Dartmoor Prison and is hunted across the moors by policemen to whom it is an unpleasant reminder of their experiences during the First World War....
(1930) - Birds of PreyBirds of Prey (film)Birds of Prey is a 1930 British mystery film directed by Basil Dean and starring Robert Loraine, Warwick Ward and Frank Lawton. It was an adaptation of the A.A. Milne play The Fourth Wall and was made at Ealing Studios.-Cast:* Robert Loraine - Carter...
(1930) - Nine Till SixNine Till SixNine Till Six is a 1932 British drama film directed by Basil Dean and starring Louise Hampton, Elizabeth Allan and Florence Desmond. It was made at Ealing Studios.-Cast:* Louise Hampton ... Madam* Elizabeth Allan ... Gracie Abbott...
(1932) - Looking on the Bright SideLooking on the Bright SideLooking on The Bright Side is a British comedy musical film made at Ealing Studios. It was directed by Graham Cutts and Basil Dean and starring Gracie Fields, Richard Dolman, and Betty Shale.-Plot summary:...
(1932) - The Impassive FootmanThe Impassive FootmanThe Impassive Footman is a 1932 British drama film made at Ealing Studios and was directed by Basil Dean. The film starred Owen Nares, Betty Stockfeld, Allan Jeayes and George Curzon.-Plot:...
(1932) - LoyaltiesLoyalties (1933 film)Loyalties is a 1933 British drama film directed by Basil Dean and starring Basil Rathbone, Heather Thatcher and Miles Mander. It is based on the John Galsworthy play Loyalties.The film addresses the theme of anti-Semitism...
(1933) - The Constant NymphThe Constant Nymph (1933 film)The Constant Nymph is a 1933 British drama film directed by Basil Dean and Victoria Hopper, Brian Aherne and Leonora Corbett. It is an adaptation of the novel The Constant Nymph by Margaret Kennedy...
(1933) - Autumn CrocusAutumn Crocus (film)Autumn Crocus is a 1934 British romance film directed by Basil Dean and starring Ivor Novello, Fay Compton and Muriel Aked. A teacher falls in love with the married owner of the guest house in which she is staying during a holiday to Austria...
(1934) - Sing As We GoSing as We GoSing As We Go is a 1934 British musical film starring Gracie Fields and Stanley Holloway. The script was written by Gordon Wellesley and J. B. Priestley; it was directed by Basil Dean....
(1934) - Lorna DooneLorna Doone (1934 film)Lorna Doone is a 1934 British drama film directed by Basil Dean and starring Victoria Hopper, John Loder and Margaret Lockwood. It is based on the novel Lorna Doone by R.D...
(1934) - Look Up and LaughLook Up and LaughLook Up and Laugh is a British comedy film directed by Basil Dean and starring Gracie Fields, Alfred Drayton, Douglas Wakefield and Vivien Leigh...
(1935) - Whom the Gods Love (1936)
- The Show Goes OnThe Show Goes OnThe Show Goes On is a 1937 British musical comedy film directed by Basil Dean and starring Gracie Fields, Owen Nares and John Stuart.-Plot summary:...
(1937) - 21 Days21 Days21 Days, also known as 21 Days Together in the U.S., is a 1940 British drama film based on the short play The First and the Last by John Galsworthy. It was directed by Basil Dean and stars Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier and Leslie Banks...
(1940)
Writer filmography
- The Constant Nymph (1928) (play)
- The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1929)
- Escape (1930)
- Birds of Prey (1930)
- Looking on the Bright Side (1932)
- The Water Gipsies (1932)
- A Honeymoon Adventure (1932)
- The Constant Nymph (1933) (play) (dialogue)
- Autumn Crocus (1934)
- Sensation (1936) (play Murder Gang)
- The Show Goes On (1937)
- Penny Paradise (1938) (story)
- The Constant Nymph (1938) (TV) (play)
- 21 Days (1940)
- The Constant Nymph (1943) (play)