Men of Steel (film)
Encyclopedia
Men of Steel is a British drama film, directed by George King
and starring John Stuart
and Benita Hume
. The screenplay was adapted by Edward Knoblock
and Billie Bristow from a novel by Douglas Newton.
, with the steelworks scenes being shot in the long-defunct Acklam Iron and Steel Works in the town, rendering it of great interest to social and industrial historians of the Teesside
area. Men of Steel does not appear ever to have been shown on television in the UK, nor has it been made available commercially;
.
George King (film director)
George King was an English actors' agent, film director, producer and screenplay writer. He helmed several of Tod Slaughter's melodramas, including 1936's The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.-Career:...
and starring John Stuart
John Stuart (actor)
John Stuart, born John Alfred Louden Croall , was a Scottish actor, and a very popular leading man in British silent films in the 1920s. He appeared in two films directed by Alfred Hitchcock....
and Benita Hume
Benita Hume
Benita Hume was an English film actress. She appeared in 44 films between 1925 and 1955.She was married to actor Ronald Colman from 1938 to his death in 1958; they were the parents of a daughter, Juliet...
. The screenplay was adapted by Edward Knoblock
Edward Knoblock
Edward Knoblock was an American-born British playwright and novelist most remembered for the often revived 1911 play, Kismet-Biography:...
and Billie Bristow from a novel by Douglas Newton.
Production background
The film was made under the quota quickie system and, as its title implies, is set in a steel-producing town. Location filming took place in MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough
Middlesbrough is a large town situated on the south bank of the River Tees in north east England, that sits within the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire...
, with the steelworks scenes being shot in the long-defunct Acklam Iron and Steel Works in the town, rendering it of great interest to social and industrial historians of the Teesside
Teesside
Teesside is the name given to the conurbation in the north east of England made up of the towns of Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Redcar, Billingham and surrounding settlements near the River Tees. It was also the name of a local government district between 1968 and 1974—the County Borough of...
area. Men of Steel does not appear ever to have been shown on television in the UK, nor has it been made available commercially;
Preservation status
Unlike many quota quickie productions, the film has survived and is available to view by appointment at any of the Mediatheques run by the British Film InstituteBritish Film Institute
The British Film Institute is a charitable organisation established by Royal Charter to:-Cinemas:The BFI runs the BFI Southbank and IMAX theatre, both located on the south bank of the River Thames in London...
.
Plot
James Harg (Stuart) and his father work in a steelmaking plant which is incompetently run, with scant attention being paid to worker safety. In his own time, Harg works on ideas for a revolutionary new manufacturing process for hard steel. When his father is badly injured in a workplace accident resulting from employer negligence, Harg uses some of the compensation payment to develop his invention to a stage where it can be tested in practice. It is a huge success and Harg patents his process. He rises to a position on the board of the company, before staging a coup to oust his former employer and take over the business himself.Cast
- John StuartJohn Stuart (actor)John Stuart, born John Alfred Louden Croall , was a Scottish actor, and a very popular leading man in British silent films in the 1920s. He appeared in two films directed by Alfred Hitchcock....
as James 'Iron' Harg - Benita HumeBenita HumeBenita Hume was an English film actress. She appeared in 44 films between 1925 and 1955.She was married to actor Ronald Colman from 1938 to his death in 1958; they were the parents of a daughter, Juliet...
as Audrey Paxton - Franklin DyallFranklin DyallFranklin Dyall was an English actor.He appeared in 26 films between 1916 and 1948...
as Charles Paxton - Mary MerrallMary MerrallMary Merrall , born Elsie Lloyd, was an English actress whose career of over 60 years encompassed stage, film and television work.-Stage career:...
as Mrs. Harg - Heather AngelHeather Angel (actress)Heather Grace Angel was an English actress.-Life and career:Born in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, she was brought up on a farm near Banbury....
as Ann Ford - Alexander FieldAlexander Field (actor)Alexander Field was an English actor born 6 June 1892 in London, England, UK and died 17 August 1971, also in London, England, UK, aged 79.-Career:...
as Sweepy Ford - Edward Ashley-CooperEdward Ashley-Cooperspouse = Renee Osterman Torres Edward Montague Hussey Cooper was an actor descended from an English family but born in Australia...
as Sylvano
External links
- Men of Steel at BFI Film & TV Database