Neville Smith
Encyclopedia
Neville Smith is a British screenwriter and actor who has contributed to numerous television productions and movies between 1964 and 1990.
In 1964, Smith made his TV acting debut in the premiere episode of the Granada
-ITV
TV series Villains and he was also seen in the "A Land of Fear" episode of the Doctor Who
story entitled The Reign of Terror
.
In the following years he appeared in episodes from television series like Cluff, Z-Cars
, Thirty-Minute Theatre, Her Majesty's Pleasure and The Wednesday Play
. In 1971 Smith became notable for writing the screenplay to Gumshoe
, the first major film directorial assignment for Stephen Frears
. He also played a small role in that film. In 1977 he wrote the screenplay to Apaches
, the notable short documentary
by John Mackenzie, about children playing on farms, which became the most notorious public information film of all time. His last appearances were in Wish You Were Here
(1987) by David Leland
and in the 1990 TV film Friends in Space.
Gumshoe credits indicate Neville Smith played the character Arthur but his name is never said in the film. He is the man Albert Finney consults about the gun before entering the docks.
In 1964, Smith made his TV acting debut in the premiere episode of the Granada
Granada Television
Granada Television is the ITV contractor for North West England. Based in Manchester since its inception, it is the only surviving original ITA franchisee from 1954 and is ITV's most successful....
-ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
TV series Villains and he was also seen in the "A Land of Fear" episode of the Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
story entitled The Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror (Doctor Who)
The Reign of Terror is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in six weekly parts from August 8 to September 12, 1964. The story was set in France during the period of the French Revolution known as the Reign of Terror.-Plot:The Doctor, Ian,...
.
In the following years he appeared in episodes from television series like Cluff, Z-Cars
Z-Cars
Z-Cars is a British television drama series centred on the work of mobile uniformed police in the fictional town of Newtown, based on Kirkby in the outskirts of Liverpool in Merseyside. Produced by the BBC, it debuted in January 1962 and ran until September 1978.-Origins:The series was developed by...
, Thirty-Minute Theatre, Her Majesty's Pleasure and The Wednesday Play
The Wednesday Play
The Wednesday Play was an anthology series of British television plays which ran on BBC1 from October 1964 to May 1970. Every week's play was usually written for television, although adaptations from other sources also featured...
. In 1971 Smith became notable for writing the screenplay to Gumshoe
Gumshoe (film)
Gumshoe is a 1971 film, and was the directorial debut of British director Stephen Frears.Written by local author Neville Smith, the film is set in Liverpool with Albert Finney playing the role of Eddie Ginley. Ginley is a bingo-caller and occasional club comedian who dreams of being a private eye...
, the first major film directorial assignment for Stephen Frears
Stephen Frears
Stephen Arthur Frears is an English film director.-Early life:Frears was born in Leicester, England to Ruth M., a social worker, and Dr Russell E. Frears, a general practitioner and accountant. He did not find out that his mother was Jewish until he was in his late 20s...
. He also played a small role in that film. In 1977 he wrote the screenplay to Apaches
Apaches (Public Information Film)
Apaches is the title of a Public Information Film made in the UK in 1977. Produced by the Central Office Of Information for the Health and Safety Executive , it was shown extensively in the Southern, Anglia and Westward areas, before being shown either on film or videocassette in primary schools...
, the notable short documentary
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
by John Mackenzie, about children playing on farms, which became the most notorious public information film of all time. His last appearances were in Wish You Were Here
Wish You Were Here (1987 film)
Wish You Were Here is a 1987 British drama/comedy film starring Emily Lloyd and Tom Bell. The film was written and directed by David Leland. The original music score was composed by Stanley Myers.-Plot:...
(1987) by David Leland
David Leland
David Leland is a director, screenwriter and actor who came to international fame with his directorial debut Wish You Were Here in 1987.-Life:...
and in the 1990 TV film Friends in Space.
Gumshoe credits indicate Neville Smith played the character Arthur but his name is never said in the film. He is the man Albert Finney consults about the gun before entering the docks.