John and Roy Boulting
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John and Roy Boulting were English film-makers, who became known for their popular series of satirical comedies in the 1950s and 1960s.
The twin brothers born in Bray, Berkshire, England on November 21 1913. They worked together as producer and director whenever they could and had the practice of alternating these duties depending on the nature of the film which was their latest project. Although they did make films separately too. They also both worked as screenwriters on their films.
They began with serious, tight, economical drama films such as Seven Days to Noon (1950) and Graham Greene's Brighton Rock (1947) (both with producer: Roy, director: John). They then became known for a series of satirical comedy films which are considered British classics today. Films such as Private's Progress (1956), Lucky Jim (1957) and I'm All Right Jack (1959); all with the same credits as above, and usually with John as co-writer. The comedies often starred Ian Carmichael as the lead, along with Richard Attenborough and Terry-Thomas; and often Dennis Price, John Le Mesurier, Irene Handl and Miles Malleson.
I'm All Right Jack also starred Peter Sellers and boosted his film career, winning him a BAFTA Best Actor Award. He also appeared in other Boulting brothers films later. The Family Way (1966) was a slightly controversial film about a young married couple and their down to earth family.
Roy Boulting did some work in British TV in the eighties including directing one of the popular BBC Miss Marple mysteries.
John died in 1985 and Roy on November 5, 2001.
Filmography
John
- Journey Together (1945)
- Brighton Rock (1947)
- Seven Days to Noon (1950)
- The Magic Box (1951)
- Private's Progress (1956)
- Lucky Jim (1957)
- Heavens Above! (1963)
- Rotten to the Core (1965)
- The Number (1979)
Roy
- Inquest (1940)
- Thunder Rock (1942)
- Tunisian Victory (1944, documentary co-directed with Frank Capra)
- Fame is the Spur (1947)
- The Guinea Pig (1948)
- Singlehanded (1951)
- Seagulls Over Sorrento (1954)
- Josephine and Men (1955)
- Run for the Sun (1956)
- Happy is the Bride (1957)
- Brothers in Law (1957)
- I'm All Right, Jack (1959)
- Carlton-Browne of the F.O. (1959)
- Suspect (1960)
- A French Mistress (1960)
- The Family Way (1966)
- Twisted Nerve (1968)
- There's a Girl in My Soup (1970)
- Soft Beds, Hard Battles (1973)