(2003), Hans Christian Andersen: My Life as a Fairy Tale William Hubert Fox TD (26 January 1911 - 20 September 2008) was a British character actor and writer. Charles Frend. [2][3][5], Fox also acted in and wrote radio dramas. Having successfully obtained the magnet, Johnny immediately starts to feel guilty about his swindling behaviour. His innocence and politeness (addressing his parents as "Mummy" and "Daddy") are heartbreaking - indeed, when we encounter a group of Scouse "toughs" later in the movie, they all politely say "goodnight" to each other too! I must go against the grain of most reviewers here and despite the waste of the good actress Kay Walsh this film is in my opinion utterly boring. Jinnah (1998) -- (Movie Clip) Divide The Country In Two? He has traded in a magnet for an alleged invisible watch, and gives it away to clear his conscience yet can't escape what he did. 1947, with Lord Mountbatten (James Fox), representing the United Kingdom, in the bio-pic, King Rat (1965) -- (Movie Clip) The British Are Impressed, American Corporal King (George Segal, title character), the leading hustler at the Japanese P.O.W. director of photography Film Editing by Bernard Gribble Casting By Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos After a six-year interruption for military service in the Second World War, his acting career did not reach the heights of his early years. [2][3][5] Rees petitioned for divorce in 1937. He was related to the Hanbury and Neilson acting dynasty, through his mother, whose sister was the stage actress Lily Hanbury.Their first cousin Julia Neilson was married to the actor Fred Terry . William George Zane, better known as Billy Zane, was born on February 24, 1966 in Chicago, Illinois, to Thalia (Colovos) and William Zane, both of Greek ancestry. (2001), Gulliver's Travels Dynastic roots. (1995), A Perfect Hero It's all a bit forced, if somewhat harmless, though I'm not sure it would play to kids today unaccustomed to scarlet fever quarantines, unmonitored outdoor play, iron lungs, and having no toys better than a magnet. Available for both RF and RM licensing. We also use these cookies to understand how customers use our services (for example, by measuring site visits) so we can make improvements. The film is directed by Charles Frend, who also commandeered the excellent 'A Run for Your Money (1949)' which succeeded despite being a veiled reworking of Capra's 'Mr Deeds Goes to Town (1936).' He is the son of influential talent agent Robin Fox, and brother of actor Edward and theatrical producer Robert. Film data from TMDb. Stephen Murray Kay Walsh James Fox Meredith Edwards Gladys Henson Thora Hird Michael Brooke Wylie Watson Julien Mitchell Anthony Oliver Molly Hamley-Clifford Harold Goodwin Joan Hickson Joss Ambler Sam Kydd Russell Waters James Robertson Justice, 79mins Find where to watch James Fox's latest movies and tv shows . Awards I mostly remember it because it scared me. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. After six years service Fox was demobbed with the rank of major (and had had a spell as an acting lieutenant-colonel). William [James] Fox. Absolute Beginners (1986) -- (Movie Clip) I Love This Look! Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. , Number of discs Fox's career showed great promise with his role as a boy whose life gets complicated once he acquires "The Magnet" (1951), but he soon gave up acting to finish school. THE MAGNET is an unusual Ealing Studios comedy, seemingly aimed at children but with plenty of satirical elements for the adults. Every time this cuts to something ten year old Johnny likes doing in his spare time, I lost it practicing writing with his toes, squatting on the fireplace to see if he can get around his room without touching the floor, befriending a sailor shaving his legs with a cut-throat razor, electrical experiments, melancholy donkey petting. (1964), Tamahine A wonderful, poignant and heartwarming movie. In 1930 Fox left drama school and won a role in London's West End performing in an eight-month run of W. Somerset Maugham's new play The Breadwinner at the Vaudeville Theatre.Following this success Fox co-founded an acting troupe, based in the West Country, where they converted a former swimming baths in Teignmouth into a theatre. Filmed on location in Birkenhead; New Brighton; Liverpool and Wallasey. Anyway that is what father psychiatrist says and while saying that looks as if he needs one of his own. There is a young boy in the film who is injured (or sick) and ends up in an "iron lung" machine because he needs help breathing. After a short spell on Broadway, Fox returned to Britain. After a six-year interruption for military service in World War II, his acting career did not reach the heights of his early years. Performance (1970) -- (Movie Clip) Cog In An Organ, Performance (1970) -- (Movie Clip) Opening, Bachelor, Remains Of The Day, The (1993) -- (Movie Clip) One Doesn't Do That, Mister Lonely William Fox. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Johnny mistakenly thinks she is talking about the little boy himself, and becomes convinced that he is guilty of murder and goes on the runThis is an utterly charming film, with the very photogenic William Fox holding the attention throughout. After demobilisation Fox was considered too old to take on juvenile roles, and given that he had no experience as a lead actor, directors were wary of casting him in these parts. (1967), The Chase living now in New Brighton,where the film is set and mostly filmed,and being at an age the be able to remember the 50's well,I was actually born the year this film was made,but it was a total delight to watch,seeing the overhead railway again,the beach,the Perch rock,the indoor fairground,I spent half my youth in there,and spotting all the locations around was wonderful,every person over 50 living on the Wirral should see this little film,not many real "scouse" accents though !did anybody spot the businessman on the Overhead railwaysurely that was Arthur Lowe but not mentioned in the credits,wonderful wonderful film. He offers the boy everything he has in return for the magnet but the boy won't swop it for anything. When he later re-encounters the original boy on the beach he swaps the medal for his old "invisible watch" and clears his conscience. The actor William Fox, who has died aged 97, was also a soldier, playwright, wine-merchant - and connoisseur of the civilised life. He auctions the magnet to the crowd and sells it for 40. Dr. Brent. His imagination - coupled with his stricken conscience - takes over, as the boy with the magnet becomes of interest to the local authorities. William Hubert Fox TD (26 January 1911 - 20 September 2008) was a British character actor and writer. THE MAGNET (u) (1950). (1995), Fall from Grace Actor: Vida Hope Actor: William Fox Actor: James . The long, complicated adventure in the main body of the film is a good, very worthwhile one, but does not have quite the same legendary status as the beginning and ending. As a territorial soldier Fox was amongst the first to be called up in 1939 upon the declaration of war with Germany. William Fox, There's one or two chuckles to be had in some of the more satirical jabs, and there's sometimes a bit of ambition to the directing, but it's a very tame and bland film that isn't captivating or energetic enough to carry off its far fetched narrative. One actor who benefited from this was Dirk Bogarde. However, Johnny eventually manages to con it out of him by swopping it for an "invisible watch". The film is funny, sharp-witted, and intelligent in its satire. "Here he is. James Fox. Billy . [2][3], In 1939 Fox and Hillard were living in Dolphin Square, where they became annoyed by their neighbour Unity Mitford's habit of playing loud Nazi marching songs. (2004), The Mystic Masseur (1984), Runners Gentle Ealing comedy about childhood, guilt and half-truths starring a young James Fox (then known by his real name, William Fox) as Johnny Brent, a mischievous boy who tricks a younger boy (Keith Robinson) into giving him his magnet in return for an 'invisible' clock. 2023 Turner Classic Movies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. I worked with many colleagues in Hackney (east London) where they was born bred and worked - most had a beautiful speaking voices and were well spoken. Gentle Ealing comedy about childhood, guilt and half-truths starring a young James Fox (then known by his real name, William Fox) as Johnny Brent, a mischievous boy who tricks a younger boy (Keith Robinson) into giving him his magnet in return for an 'invisible' clock. The film follows a boy (a young James Fox) plagued with guilt after he steals a magnet, while his well meaning parents attempt to armchair diagnose his mysterious behaviour. Birth Place: London, England. (1988), The Whistle Blower So, this is Liverpool accent, huh? The Magnet (1950) Full Cast & Crew See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Directed by Charles Frend Writing Credits T.E.B. T.E.B. Successfully venturing to Hollywood, Fox essayed similar characterizations in "King Rat" (1965), as a POW under the influence of a schemer (George Segal), and in "The Chase" (1966), as Jane Fonda's wealthy but spineless Texas husband. Johnny mistakenly thinks she is talking about the little boy himself, and becomes convinced that he has caused the death of the boy. : Lanky blond British lead of the 1960s who began as a child actor in the early 50s. User Ratings Following this success Fox co-founded an acting troupe, based in the West Country, where they converted a former swimming baths in Teignmouth into a theatre. As far as I know, William / James is still alive and will be 80 years old next year, which gives some idea of just how long ago this film was made. The 1960s saw him in fewer theatrical roles; he did however perform in film, television and radio, for which he also wrote. Mrs. Brent. Johnny is awarded the Civic Gold Medal. Childhood & Early Life. See it and enjoy. Letterboxd Limited. Fox left acting in 1973 when he joined a Christian missionary group, the Navigators, though he did act in the story of a suicidal woman saved by religion, "No Longer Alone" (1978). Please try again. Classic Evocation of 1950 Wirral and Liverpool Childhood. (2009). Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 April 2013. i was bought up in the area this film was made and this was made 25 years before i was. The opening and closing sequences of this film have haunted me all my life with their beauty and power, and are one of the main reasons why I have loved films all my life. , Run time [2] [3] Contents 1 Early life 2 Pre-war career I shuddered to think that Joseph might be able to act in a similar fashion on several occasions when I was not present, but I trust he will not. , Package Dimensions In many ways it is a typical "Ealing" film, although much location work takes place on Merseyside and, in particular New Brighton. His mum realises something is wrong and tries to make him feel useful. The Times, 19 October 1950, page 2: First advertisement for. [2] [3] Contents 1 Early life 2 Pre-war career They are looking for him to give it back, thinking he's a poor waif, and he ends up on the run across the river in Liverpool, protected by a bunch of tough street kids, while his parents, Stephen Murray and Kay Walsh, search for him. Fox started a wine merchant business and also dealt in antiques and pictures. (1986), Absolute Beginners When Johnny visits the boy, he sees the magnet mounted on the iron lung and is reunited with the inventor, who is delighted to have found Johnny again. This pleasant, easy-going film has all the hallmarks of an Ealing classic, with a particularly excellent and likable performance from its young star. This was so fun and charming, painting a vivid and strange picture of Johnny's interior life. During the 1950s and 1960s Fox's career was mixed; he did a season at Stratford and took on several West End comedies. The Magnet is a 1950 British comedy film featuring Stephen Murray, Kay Walsh and in his first starring role James Fox (then billed as William Fox). His film credits included roles in The Lavender Hill Mob (1951), The Secret Partner (1961), The Queen's Guards (1961), She Always Gets Their Man (1962), Ransom (1974), Omen III: The Final Conflict (1981) and Mata Hari (1985). The actor William Fox joined the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in 1951, not the Royal Shakespeare Company, as we reported in his obituary above. English films from right after the war particularly those from Ealing or Archers are a pretty interesting pocket to mine. YGD is a gaming initiative for 10-18 year olds which explores how games are made and the skill required to make them through workshops, a video series and an annual competition. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. - Read William Fox's Times Obituary, 2018. An Ealing Studios film, The Magnet is a lesser known Ealing comedy. He appeared in several notable films of the 1960s and early 1970s, including King Rat, The Servant, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Performance, before quitting the screen for several years to be an evangelical Christian. I also enjoyed hearing the Northern accents on the scruffy boys who rough-up then adopt Johnny once they find out they have a common enemy in the police. el padre: oh no complejo de edipo superyo se quiere follar a su madreel nio: de locos estoy en busca y captura. Filmed on location in Birkenhead; New Brighton; Liverpool and Wallasey.The then eleven years old William Fox, in only his second film, gives an excellent performance as Johnny Brent, the son of well off parents (Stephen Murray and Kay Walsh), who covets a large magnet owned by Kit (Michael Brooke), a younger boy who is building sandcastles on the beach at New Brighton and who is watched over by his nanny (Gladys Henson). William is represented by Regan Management What William said about us - click to read review He was born and raised into an affluent British family deeply rooted in the acting world. William Hubert Fox TD (26 January 1911 - 20 September 2008) was a British character actor and writer. More at After watching his father board the ferry to his work as a psychologist in Liverpool, he spends the rest of the morning playing on the beach. Mighty Quinn, The (1989) -- (Movie Clip) Are You Being Police Polite? Produced by Michael Balcon. 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Unconfirmed13724 Woolner: One Wild Oat Hooper, the Porter: 1951: Lavender Hill Mob Gregory: 1951: No Place for Jennifer Paula's Counsel: 1951: Queen's Guards Mr. Walters: 1960: Ransom Ferris: 1974: Omen 3: The Final Conflict Diplomat: 1981: , Writers Made by fans in Aotearoa New Zealand. [6], Fox went on to perform in J.B. Priestley's play Dangerous Corner, directed by Tyrone Guthrie; he was billed as "a great discovery". The modern RSC was formed in 1960. (1985), A Passage to India , Director (1998), Jinnah 2023 TV GUIDE, A FANDOM COMPANY. (2004), The Prince & Me [9] The British Film Institute's reviewer criticised it as "somewhat burdened by cumbersome moralising and too many credibility-stretching coincidences and misunderstandings" and described it as "an attempt to revisit the success of Clarke's earlier Hue and Cry". (1968), Duffy [4], The film was a box office disappointment.[10]. . Various other things he overhears confirms his theory. But, and this is a big but, StudioCanal, going by some of their DVD releases of vintage British films, seem fanatical about damping down the sound of the original optical soundtrackso that any slight crackle on it cannot possibly be heardthe result of which is that the sound is rather muffled, like a vinyl record being played with a very blunt needle, and the lower registers of the sound spectrum are removed, making it difficult to hear the dialogue unless the actors and actresses are talking loudly or shouting. While the storyline of The Magnet can become a bit too unbelievable at times, on the whole, it is a fine morality story with a solid leading performance from a young James Fox (credited as William Fox). His first performance was in 1934 in Ibsen's The Lady from the Sea. (2001), Lover's Prayer Written by T.E.B. 11 year old Johnny Brent (Fox) is home from school during a scarlet fever outbreak, but not making much attempt to stay isolated. (1965), Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines; or How I Flew From London to Paris in 25 Hours and 11 Minutes It's rather like the sound you used to hear through the ear piece of an old telephone. | William Hubert Fox TD (26 January 1911 20 September 2008) was a British character actor and writer. When the magnet gets Johnny into distress, he choose to give it away. It's clear he doesn't know Liverpool, also the parents are professionals and Johnny speaks as his parents do - plus he attends boarding school, not a local one. It's not that Ealing were scared of accents, they ventured into Wales and Scotland, but for the most part they didn't stray out into the Provinces and if they wanted to imbue their characters to with, err character, they gave them a touch of the Cockney. Written by T.E.B. A lovely film giving us all a taste of nostalgia. , Stephen Murray, Kay Walsh, Meredith Edwards, Thora Hird, Gladys Henson, Studio William Fox is a 97 years old British actor from Manila, Metro Manila. His guilt sparks a chain of misplaced assumptions that lead to a search being mounted for the boy, who has run away after becoming convinced that he is wanted for murder. Please consider upgrading to a Pro accountfor less than a couple bucks a month, youll get cool additional features like all-time and annual stats pages (example), the ability to select (and filter by) your favorite streaming services, and no ads! Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 April 2021. He enjoyed early success on the stage playing juvenile roles. However, Johnny immediately starts to feel guilty about his swindling behaviour to the crowd sells... Early years madreel nio: de locos estoy en busca y captura, Johnny eventually to. 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