Arthur Greville Collins

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Arthur Greville Collins
Arthur Greville Collins and Betty Ross Clarke on the set of The Fox (1921)
Born(1896-09-05)September 5, 1896
London, England
DiedSeptember 1, 1980(1980-09-01) (aged 84)
OccupationDirector
Spouse(s)Betty Ross Clarke (1921 - ?)
Rhoda Shepherd (1934 - ?)

Arthur Greville Collins (September 5, 1896 - September 1, 1980) was a British-born film director.

Career[edit]

Collins was born in London, and began directing for the stage, including productions of Fata Morgana, No Man's Land, and Tarnish.

In 1921, he married actress Betty Ross Clarke[1] and accompanied her in her theatrical career in Great Britain, the United States, and Australia.[2] In 1934 he wed Rhoda Shepherd.

He moved to Los Angeles and directed some plays there, then moved into movie making as a dialogue director for Warner Bros. He worked in that capacity for two years then became a director, making several B pictures.[3][4]

He moved to Australia in May 1939 to make Seven Little Australians (1939)[5] and decided to stay there. He served in the RAAF during World War II, being discharged as a squadron leader. He also was stationed as administrative officer for two years at Port Pirie and Mount Gambier.[6][7]

In 1947 Collins managed to source funding to make another movie, Strong Is the Seed (1949).[8] He later announced plans to make a film about Cobb and Co but this did not eventuate.[9] In 1950, Collins travelled to New Zealand where he produced the musical comedy Chu Chin Chow for the Christchurch Operatic Society to favourable reviews.[10][11]

Partial filmography[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "D. Cupid makes double play and wedding bells now ring for four". The Seattle Sunday Times. June 19, 1921.
  2. ^ Eriksmoen, Curt (April 4, 2009). "Successful Hollywood actress came from Bismarck". Bismarck Tribune.
  3. ^ ""GRAND GUY" OF FILMS". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane: National Library of Australia. December 29, 1939. p. 2. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  4. ^ "ANTIDOTE TO NERVE-WARS". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. December 14, 1939. p. 29. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  5. ^ "FILM PRODUCTION". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. May 31, 1939. p. 8. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  6. ^ "Austns. should get film chance". The Mail. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. February 26, 1949. p. 35. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  7. ^ World War II nominal roll
  8. ^ "Advertising". The Argus. Melbourne: National Library of Australia. November 11, 1947. p. 16. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  9. ^ "New Australian film for release soon". The Argus. Melbourne: National Library of Australia. March 24, 1948. p. 5. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  10. ^ "Chu Chin Chow". Press. Vol. LXXXVI, no. 26187. August 10, 1950. p. 3.
  11. ^ "Chu Chin Chow". Press. Vol. LXXXVI, no. 26235. October 5, 1950. p. 3.
  12. ^ They Can't Be Snookered at National Film and Sound Archive
  13. ^ Shots and Shots at National Film and Sound Archive

External links[edit]