Charles Crichton

Charles Ainslie Crichton who was born on 6 August 1910 in Wallasey, Cheshire, England, was an acclaimed English film director and editor. Starting his career as a film editor in 1931, Crichton had an illustrious career that spanned over 50 years, editing more than fifty films, including revered classics such as 'Things to Come' (1936), 'Elephant Boy' (1937), and 'The Thief of Bagdad' (1940). His talent shone even brighter when he moved to Ealing Studios in 1940, becoming renowned for directing many comedies during his stint there. Crichton made his directorial debut with 'For Those in Peril' (1944) and went on to direct many acclaimed films such as 'The Lavender Hill Mob' (1951) and 'The Titfield Thunderbolt' (1953). His sterling career took him not just to films but also television shows and he mastered also the art of directing corporate videos. Crichton's crowning glory was his final film 'A Fish Called Wanda' (1988), for which he was nominated for both the Academy Award for Best Director and the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay alongside the film's star, John Cleese. Personal life marked by two marriages, first to Vera Harman-Mills with whom he had two children, and then to Nadine Haze.