John Paddy Carstairs
Encyclopedia
John Paddy Carstairs was a British film director
(1933–62) and television director (1962–64), usually of light-hearted subject matter. He was also a comic novel
ist and painter
.
He directed 37 films in total. He had a long association with the character of Simon Templar
(the character's creator, Leslie Charteris
, dedicated the 1963 book, The Saint in the Sun
to Carstairs).
Aside from directing the 1939 Saint film, The Saint in London
, he also directed two episodes of The Saint
in the 1960s, making him the only individual (other than Charteris himself) to be connected to both the Hollywood film and British series of The Saint.
His autobiographies include:
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:...
(1933–62) and television director (1962–64), usually of light-hearted subject matter. He was also a comic novel
Comic novel
A comic novel is a work of fiction in which the writer not only seeks to amuse the reader, but also to make the reader think about controversial issues, sometimes with subtlety and as part of a carefully woven narrative; sometimes, above all other considerations...
ist and painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
.
He directed 37 films in total. He had a long association with the character of Simon Templar
Simon Templar
Simon Templar is a British fictional character known as The Saint featured in a long-running series of books by Leslie Charteris published between 1928 and 1963. After that date, other authors collaborated with Charteris on books until 1983; two additional works produced without Charteris’s...
(the character's creator, Leslie Charteris
Leslie Charteris
Leslie Charteris , born Leslie Charles Bowyer-Yin, was a half-Chinese, half English author of primarily mystery fiction, as well as a screenwriter. He was best known for his many books chronicling the adventures of Simon Templar, alias "The Saint."-Early life:Charteris was born to a Chinese father...
, dedicated the 1963 book, The Saint in the Sun
The Saint in the Sun
The Saint in the Sun is a collection of short stories by Leslie Charteris, featuring the Robin Hood-inspired crimefighter, Simon Templar, whom Charteris introduced in 1928. The book was first published in 1963 by The Crime Club in the United States and by Hodder and Stoughton in the United Kingdom...
to Carstairs).
Aside from directing the 1939 Saint film, The Saint in London
The Saint in London
The Saint in London is an American crime film, the third in a series of films featuring the adventures of Simon Templar, alias "The Saint".The film starred George Sanders as Templar and was produced by William Sistrom. John Paddy Carstairs directed...
, he also directed two episodes of The Saint
The Saint (TV series)
The Saint was an ITC mystery spy thriller television series that aired in the UK on ITV between 1962 and 1969. It centred on the Leslie Charteris literary character, Simon Templar, a Robin Hood-like adventurer with a penchant for disguise. The character may be nicknamed The Saint because the...
in the 1960s, making him the only individual (other than Charteris himself) to be connected to both the Hollywood film and British series of The Saint.
His autobiographies include:
- Honest Injun (1942)
- Hadn't We the Gaiety (1945)
- Kaleidoscope and a Jaundiced Eye (1946)
Filmography
- It's a BoyIt's a Boy (film)It's a Boy is a 1933 British comedy film directed by Tim Whelan and starring Leslie Henson, Albert Burdon and Edward Everett Horton. It is a farce about a blackmailer who attempts to demand money from a young woman on the brink of marriage...
(1933, screenwriter) - Paris Plane (1933)
- Holiday's EndHoliday's EndHoliday's End is a 1937 British mystery film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Sally Stewart, Rosalyn Boulter and Wally Patch. The young monarch of a East European state is sent to boarding school where, shortly after his arrival, one of the teachers is murdered.-Cast:* Wally Patch -...
(1937) - Double Exposures (1937)
- Night Ride (1937)
- Missing, Believed Married (1937)
- Incident in ShanghaiIncident in ShanghaiIncident in Shanghai is a 1938 British drama film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Margaret Vyner, Patrick Barr, Ralph Roberts and Derek Gorst.-Cast:* Margaret Vyner - Madeleine Linden* Patrick Barr - Pat Avon* Ralph Roberts - Robert Barlow...
(1938) - Lassie from Lancashire (1938)
- The Saint in LondonThe Saint in LondonThe Saint in London is an American crime film, the third in a series of films featuring the adventures of Simon Templar, alias "The Saint".The film starred George Sanders as Templar and was produced by William Sistrom. John Paddy Carstairs directed...
(1939) - All HandsAll HandsAll Hands Magazine of the U.S. Navy is the title of a monthly published magazine of the United States Navy for its sailors . It is published since August 1922 under different names; the current title was established in 1945....
(1940) - Meet Maxwell ArcherMeet Maxwell ArcherMeet Maxwell Archer is a 1940 British mystery film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring John Loder, Leueen MacGrath and Athole Stewart...
(1940) - Now You're Talking (1940)
- The Second Mr. Bush (1940)
- Dangerous Comment (1940)
- Telefootlers (1941)
- He Found a StarHe Found a StarHe Found a Star is a 1941 British musical film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Vic Oliver, Sarah Churchill and Evelyn Dall. A frustrated stage manager quits his job and sets up a theatrical agency with the help of his secretary.-Cast:...
(1941) - Spare a CopperSpare a CopperSpare a Copper is a 1940 British, black-and-white, musical comedy war film, directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Ronald Shiner, as the Piano Mover and Tuner, and George Formby. It was produced by Associated Talking Pictures...
(1941) - Dancing with CrimeDancing with CrimeDancing with Crime is a 1947 British film directed by John Paddy Carstairs with a screenplay by Brock Williams from an original story by Peter Fraser.-Plot:...
(1947) - Sleeping Car to TriesteSleeping Car to TriesteSleeping Car to Trieste is a 1948 is a British film directed by John Paddy Carstairs. The film is a remake of the 1932 film Rome Express, with essentially the same characters and many of the same actors.-Plot:...
(1948) - Fools Rush InFools Rush In (1949 film)Fools Rush In is a 1949 British comedy film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Sally Ann Howes, Guy Rolfe and Nigel Buchanan. A bride gets cold feet on the eve of her wedding and decides to call it off.-Cast:* Sally Ann Howes - Pamela Dickson...
(1949) - The Chiltern HundredsThe Chiltern Hundreds (film)The Chiltern Hundreds is a 1949 British comedy film directed by John Paddy Carstairs, adapting the 1947 play of the same name and starring Lana Morris, David Tomlinson and Cecil Parker.-Synopsis:...
(1949) - Tony Draws a HorseTony Draws a HorseTony Draws a Horse is a 1950 British comedy film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Cecil Parker, Anne Crawford and Derek Bond. It was adapted from a play by Lesley Storm.-Cast:* Cecil Parker - Dr. Howard Fleming* Anne Crawford - Clare Fleming...
(1950) - Talk of a MillionTalk of a MillionTalk of a Million is a 1951 British film directed by John Paddy Carstairs starring Jack Warner, with an early appearance from Sid James.-Cast:*Jack Warner as Bartley Murnahan*Barbara Mullen as Bessie Murnahan*Joan Kenny as Sally Murnahan...
(1951) - Made in HeavenMade in HeavenMade in Heaven is the fifteenth studio album by British rock group Queen and the final one to feature lead singer Freddie Mercury and bassist John Deacon, released on 6 November 1995...
(1952) - Treasure HuntTreasure Hunt (film)Treasure Hunt is a 1952 British comedy film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Martita Hunt, Jimmy Edwards, Naunton Wayne and Athene Seyler.-Cast:* Martita Hunt - Aunt Anna Rose* Jimmy Edwards - Hercules Ryall / Sir Roderick Ryall...
(1952) - Top of the FormTop of the Form (film)Top of the Form is a 1953 British, Technicolor, drama, farcical, historical film, directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Ronald Shiner in a Sergeant Bilko role 'Professor' Ronnie Fortescue and Ronnie Corbett as the Student...
(1953) - Trouble in StoreTrouble in StoreTrouble in Store is a 1953 British comedy film starring Norman Wisdom as a department store clerk in his screen debut. For his performance, Wisdom won a BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer. The film broke box office records at 51 out of the 67 London cinemas in which it played...
(1953) - Up to His NeckUp to His NeckUp to His Neck is a 1954 British comedy film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Ronald Shiner as Jack Carter, Hattie Jacques as Rakiki and Anthony Newley as Tommy.-Cast:* Ronald Shiner as Jack Carter* Brian Rix as Wiggy* Laya Raki as Lao Win Tan...
(1954) - One Good TurnOne Good Turn (1955 film)One Good Turn is a 1955 British comedy film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Norman Wisdom, Joan Rice, Shirley Abicair and Thora Hird...
(1955) - Man of the MomentMan of the Moment (1955 film)Man of the Moment is a 1955 comedy film starring Norman Wisdom, Belinda Lee, Lana Morris and Jerry Desmonde.-Cast:* Norman Wisdom as Norman* Lana Morris as Penny* Belinda Lee as Sonia* Jerry Desmonde as Jackson* Karel Stepanek as Lom...
(1955) - Jumping for JoyJumping for JoyJumping for Joy is a 1956 British comedy film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Frankie Howerd, Stanley Holloway, Joan Hickson and Lionel Jeffries...
(1956) - Up in the WorldUp in the WorldUp in the World is a 1956 comedy film starring Norman Wisdom, Maureen Swanson and Jerry Desmonde, directed by John Paddy Carstairs and made by Rank.-Cast:* Norman Wisdom as Norman* Maureen Swanson as Jeannie Andrews* Jerry Desmonde as Major Willoughby...
(1956) - Just My LuckJust My Luck (1957 film)Just My Luck is a 1957 British sports comedy film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Norman Wisdom as a worker in a jewellery shop.- Plot :...
(1957) - The Big MoneyThe Big Money"The Big Money" is a song by progressive rock group Rush from their album Power Windows. It charted at #45 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on album-oriented rock charts, and has been featured on many "Best-Of" compilations, such as Retrospective II and The Spirit of Radio: Greatest Hits...
(1958) - The Square PegThe Square PegThe Square Peg is a 1958 British comedy film starring Norman Wisdom and directed by John Paddy Carstairs. Norman Wisdom plays two different characters: a man who digs and repairs roads and a Nazi General.-Cast:...
(1959) - Tommy the ToreadorTommy the ToreadorTommy the Toreador is a 1959 British musical comedy film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Tommy Steele, Janet Munro, Sid James, Bernard Cribbins, Noell Purcell and Kenneth Williams...
(1959) - Sands of the DesertSands of the DesertSands of the Desert is a 1960 British comedy film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Charlie Drake, Peter Arne, Sarah Branch and Raymond Huntley...
(1960) - A Weekend with LuluA Weekend with LuluA Weekend with Lulu is a 1961 British comedy film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Bob Monkhouse, Leslie Phillips, Alfred Marks, and Shirley Eaton.-Cast:*Bob Monkhouse as Fred Scrutton*Leslie Phillips as Timothy Gray...
(1961) - The Devil's AgentThe Devil's AgentThe Devil's Agent is a 1962 drama film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Peter van Eyck, Marianne Koch, Christopher Lee and Macdonald Carey. It was a co-production between Britain, West Germany and the Republic of Ireland and was an English-language version of the German film Im Namen...
(1962)