Roger Mirams
Encyclopedia
Roger Eastgate Holden Mirams (16 April 1918 – 26 February 2004) was a New Zealand
film director
, well known for the children's television series he produced throughout his career which extended over 70 years. He was born in Christchurch where he made his first film aged 13, When the Gangsters Came to Christchurch, which screened at a local cinema in 1931.
Mirams joined the New Zealand Army
at the outbreak of World War II
, working as a war correspondent
and cameraman throughout the duration of the war, which saw him travel with the New Zealand Division
throughout Italy
and the Middle East
. Following the end of the war, he travelled to Japan
where he filmed a documentary about the war crimes trials
that were held there. He then joined the New Zealand National Film Unit
as a director and cameraman and later became the Movietone News
representative for New Zealand.
In 1948 in New Zealand he formed Pacific Films
with former ex-National Film Unit
staffer Alun Falconer. With John O'Shea
(director) he made Broken Barrier
- the first feature film to be produced in New Zealand since the end of World War II. In 1956 Mirams founded an Australian branch of the company. He was involved in film production in Australia with James Stewart and fellow New Zealander Jim Davies. In 1966 he founded a new production company, Roger Mirams Productions. In 1977 he joined the Grundy Organisation.
Mirams moved to Australia in 1956 to work on coverage of the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games
. He intended to work in any capacity that he could, but was lucky to secure exclusive film rights. As official Olympic cameraman, much of the filming of the games was his work. He decided to settle in Australia following the Olympics, and spent much of the rest of his career working in Sydney.
The first production of Pacific Films
in Australia was a WWII docudrama
telling the story of the brave men who worked as Coastwatchers
during World War II
. This is sometimes given as one of his inspirations for his later success, Spyforce
. He then began to work on a series of children's television shows such as The Terrific Adventures of the Terrible Ten (1959), The Magic Boomerang (1965) and Funny Things Happen Down Under (1965) starring a young Olivia Newton John. In 1966 Roger Mirams Productions created the successful efforts The Adventures Of The Seaspray (1967) and The Adventurers and Woobinda, Animal Doctor (1969).
After several years of working on children's productions, Mirams decided to return to a more adult genre, and one he knew personally. Taking inspiration from his earlier work The Coastwatchers (1959), he began work on a WWII espionage drama with the working title Spycatchers. Paramount Pictures
liked the idea, and offered to fund the project. In 1971, he began working on Spyforce
with Ron McLean, and the series was a hit. A second series was produced in 1972.
Mirams returned to the children's genre of which he was so well acquainted with shows such as The Lost Islands
(1976) and Secret Valley
(1980), the latter of which was a huge hit in Australia. In 1986, he produced a spin-off series from Secret Valley
, entitled Professor Poopsnagle's Steam Zeppelin
, which was not only very successful in Australia, but also in parts of Europe - most notably the United Kingdom, where its popularity was so high that it was shown three times between 1987 and 1998. He continued to make quality children's television into the 21st century, and fulfilled a lifelong dream to do a remake of Oliver Twist
, when he made The Fate of the Artful Dodger in 2002. It was his last work before he died in 2004.
Mirams married Gwen Naylor in 1941; they had two daughters, and a son who died in a motorbike accident in 1990. He married Irene in 1986. He was the brother of New Zealand Chief Film Censor, Gordon Mirams
.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
film 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:...
, well known for the children's television series he produced throughout his career which extended over 70 years. He was born in Christchurch where he made his first film aged 13, When the Gangsters Came to Christchurch, which screened at a local cinema in 1931.
Mirams joined the New Zealand Army
New Zealand Army
The New Zealand Army , is the land component of the New Zealand Defence Force and comprises around 4,500 Regular Force personnel, 2,000 Territorial Force personnel and 500 civilians. Formerly the New Zealand Military Forces, the current name was adopted around 1946...
at the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, working as a war correspondent
War correspondent
A war correspondent is a journalist who covers stories firsthand from a war zone. In the 19th century they were also called Special Correspondents.-Methods:...
and cameraman throughout the duration of the war, which saw him travel with the New Zealand Division
New Zealand Division
The New Zealand Division was a World War I infantry division formed in Egypt in January 1916 following the evacuation of Gallipoli. At the outbreak of war the New Zealand Expeditionary Force contained a single infantry brigade which was combined with the unattached Australian 4th Infantry Brigade...
throughout Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. Following the end of the war, he travelled to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
where he filmed a documentary about the war crimes trials
International Military Tribunal for the Far East
The International Military Tribunal for the Far East , also known as the Tokyo Trials, the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal, or simply the Tribunal, was convened on April 29, 1946, to try the leaders of the Empire of Japan for three types of crimes: "Class A" crimes were reserved for those who...
that were held there. He then joined the New Zealand National Film Unit
National Film Unit
The National Film Unit was a state-owned film production organisation in New Zealand. Founded in 1941, it mostly produced newsreels, documentaries and promotional films about New Zealand, and for many years was the only significant film production facility in the country...
as a director and cameraman and later became the Movietone News
Movietone News
Movietone News is a newsreel that ran from 1928 to 1963 in the United States, and from 1929 to 1979 in the United Kingdom.-History:It is known in the U.S. as Fox Movietone News, produced cinema, sound newsreels from 1928 to 1963 in the U.S., from 1929 to 1979 in the UK , and from 1929 to 1975 in...
representative for New Zealand.
In 1948 in New Zealand he formed Pacific Films
Pacific Films
The Pacific Film Unit was established in Wellington, New Zealand in 1948 by ex-National Film Unit staff Alun Falconer and Roger Mirams. At this time most films produced in New Zealand were documentaries made by the government’s National Film Unit...
with former ex-National Film Unit
National Film Unit
The National Film Unit was a state-owned film production organisation in New Zealand. Founded in 1941, it mostly produced newsreels, documentaries and promotional films about New Zealand, and for many years was the only significant film production facility in the country...
staffer Alun Falconer. With John O'Shea
John O'Shea
John O'Shea can refer to:*John O'Shea, Irish footballer with Sunderland*John O'Shea , New Zealand film director*John O'Shea *John O'Shea , Wales international rugby union footballer*John O'Shea...
(director) he made Broken Barrier
Broken Barrier
Broken Barrier is a 1952 New Zealand film. It was directed and produced by John O'Shea and Roger Mirams, and written by O'Shea. It starred Kay Ngarimu and Terence Bayler, and also featured Mira Hape, Bill Merito and George Ormond....
- the first feature film to be produced in New Zealand since the end of World War II. In 1956 Mirams founded an Australian branch of the company. He was involved in film production in Australia with James Stewart and fellow New Zealander Jim Davies. In 1966 he founded a new production company, Roger Mirams Productions. In 1977 he joined the Grundy Organisation.
Mirams moved to Australia in 1956 to work on coverage of the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games
1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
. He intended to work in any capacity that he could, but was lucky to secure exclusive film rights. As official Olympic cameraman, much of the filming of the games was his work. He decided to settle in Australia following the Olympics, and spent much of the rest of his career working in Sydney.
The first production of Pacific Films
Pacific Films
The Pacific Film Unit was established in Wellington, New Zealand in 1948 by ex-National Film Unit staff Alun Falconer and Roger Mirams. At this time most films produced in New Zealand were documentaries made by the government’s National Film Unit...
in Australia was a WWII docudrama
Docudrama
In film, television programming and staged theatre, docudrama is a documentary-style genre that features dramatized re-enactments of actual historical events. As a neologism, the term is often confused with docufiction....
telling the story of the brave men who worked as Coastwatchers
Coastwatchers
The Coastwatchers, also known as the Coast Watch Organisation, Combined Field Intelligence Service or Section C, Allied Intelligence Bureau, were Allied military intelligence operatives stationed on remote Pacific islands during World War II to observe enemy movements and rescue stranded Allied...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. This is sometimes given as one of his inspirations for his later success, Spyforce
Spyforce
Spyforce was an Australian TV series produced from 1971 to 1973, based upon the adventures of Australian Military Intelligence operatives in the South West Pacific during World War II...
. He then began to work on a series of children's television shows such as The Terrific Adventures of the Terrible Ten (1959), The Magic Boomerang (1965) and Funny Things Happen Down Under (1965) starring a young Olivia Newton John. In 1966 Roger Mirams Productions created the successful efforts The Adventures Of The Seaspray (1967) and The Adventurers and Woobinda, Animal Doctor (1969).
After several years of working on children's productions, Mirams decided to return to a more adult genre, and one he knew personally. Taking inspiration from his earlier work The Coastwatchers (1959), he began work on a WWII espionage drama with the working title Spycatchers. Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
liked the idea, and offered to fund the project. In 1971, he began working on Spyforce
Spyforce
Spyforce was an Australian TV series produced from 1971 to 1973, based upon the adventures of Australian Military Intelligence operatives in the South West Pacific during World War II...
with Ron McLean, and the series was a hit. A second series was produced in 1972.
Mirams returned to the children's genre of which he was so well acquainted with shows such as The Lost Islands
The Lost Islands
The Lost Islands is an Australian television series. It first aired in Australia on 1 January 1976, and was later screened around the world, including the UK, France, Italy , as well as Israel, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada and the United States.-Plot:A hurricane nearly sinks the United World,...
(1976) and Secret Valley
Secret Valley
Secret Valley was an Australian children's television adventure series from 1980 made by the Grundy Organisation and first shown on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
(1980), the latter of which was a huge hit in Australia. In 1986, he produced a spin-off series from Secret Valley
Secret Valley
Secret Valley was an Australian children's television adventure series from 1980 made by the Grundy Organisation and first shown on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
, entitled Professor Poopsnagle's Steam Zeppelin
Professor Poopsnagle's Steam Zeppelin
Professor Poopsnagle's Steam Zeppelin was a popular Australian children's television series and a spin-off from the 1984 series Secret Valley...
, which was not only very successful in Australia, but also in parts of Europe - most notably the United Kingdom, where its popularity was so high that it was shown three times between 1987 and 1998. He continued to make quality children's television into the 21st century, and fulfilled a lifelong dream to do a remake of Oliver Twist
Oliver Twist
Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy's Progress is the second novel by English author Charles Dickens, published by Richard Bentley in 1838. The story is about an orphan Oliver Twist, who endures a miserable existence in a workhouse and then is placed with an undertaker. He escapes and travels to...
, when he made The Fate of the Artful Dodger in 2002. It was his last work before he died in 2004.
Mirams married Gwen Naylor in 1941; they had two daughters, and a son who died in a motorbike accident in 1990. He married Irene in 1986. He was the brother of New Zealand Chief Film Censor, Gordon Mirams
Gordon Mirams
Gordon Holden Mirams was born in Christchurch on 9 March 1909, the son of Leslie Haywood Mirams and Mary Elvire Webb. He married Ruth Taylor in Christchurch on 23 November 1932...
.
Filmography
- When the Gangsters Came to Christchurch (1931)
- Broken BarrierBroken BarrierBroken Barrier is a 1952 New Zealand film. It was directed and produced by John O'Shea and Roger Mirams, and written by O'Shea. It starred Kay Ngarimu and Terence Bayler, and also featured Mira Hape, Bill Merito and George Ormond....
(1952) with John O'SheaJohn O'Shea (director)John Dempsey O'Shea was a New Zealand independent filmmaker; he was a director, producer, writer and actor.He was active from 1940 to 1970, and in 1952 set up Pacific Films in Wellington with Roger Mirams... - The Coastwatchers (1959)
- The Terrific Adventures of the Terrible Ten (1960)
- The Ten Again (1963)
- Funny Things Happen Down UnderFunny Things Happen Down UnderFunny Things Happen Down Under is a 1965 Australian musical/family film directed by Joe McCormick. Today it is best remembered for being Olivia Newton-John's first film.-Plot:...
(1965) - The Magic Boomerang (1965)
- Adventures of the Seaspray (1967)
- Woobinda, Animal Doctor (1969)
- SpyforceSpyforceSpyforce was an Australian TV series produced from 1971 to 1973, based upon the adventures of Australian Military Intelligence operatives in the South West Pacific during World War II...
(1971–72) - Silent Number (1973)
- The Lost Islands (1976)
- Secret Valley (1980)
- Runaway Island (1982)
- Professor Poopsnagle and His Flying Zeppelin (1989)
- South Pacific Adventures (1990)
- Search for Treasure Island (1998)
- Escape of the Artful Dodger (2001)
- The Fate of the Artful Dodger (2002)