John McCallum (actor)
John Neil McCallum | |
---|---|
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art | |
Occupations |
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Years active | c.1935–1988 |
Spouse | |
Children | 3, including Joanna |
John Neil McCallum,
Early life
McCallum's father, John Neil McCallum Sr., was a theatre owner and entrepreneur, who built and for many years ran the 2,000 seat Cremorne Theatre on the banks of the Brisbane River. After emigrating from Scotland, McCallum Snr. became an accomplished musician and was soon heavily involved in Brisbane's entertainment scene. His mother was an accomplished amateur actress who was born in England.
In 1918, McCallum Jr. was born in Brisbane during the opening night of a comedy performance. After his birth, a family friend sent his father a wire: 'Congratulations on two howling successes'.[5]
McCallum was exposed to acting at a young age: his early childhood was full of backstage encounters at the Cremorne with the wide variety of performers who frequented his father's theatre. Although McCallum and his two younger brothers received their primary school education in the United Kingdom, the family returned to Australia once the Great Depression started. His secondary education was at the Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane.[6]
His early theatrical training was with Barbara Sisely at the Brisbane Repertory Company.
Britain
He later did two years at
In 1939 he did a season at
Second World War – Australia
McCallum returned to Australia shortly afterwards to join the
Return to Britain
Because there were limited theatrical choices in Australia, McCallum returned to Britain. He tested for a small part in The Root of All Evil (1947) and was given the second male lead.[8] He was also in The Loves of Joanna Godden (1947) and It Always Rains on Sunday (1947). Both starred Googie Withers, whom McCallum married in 1948. McCallum then made The Calendar (1948); Miranda (1948), a popular comedy with Glynis Johns and Withers; A Boy, a Girl and a Bike (1948), directed by fellow Australian Ralph Smart; The Woman in Question (1950) with Jean Kent and Dirk Bogarde; Valley of Eagles (1951); Lady Godiva Rides Again (1951) from director Frank Launder; The Magic Box (1951), one of many cameos; The Long Memory (1952) with John Mills. He did two for Herbert Wilcox, Trent's Last Case (1952) with Margaret Lockwood and Derby Day (1952) with Anna Neagle and Withers. McCallum was in the biopic Melba (1953), then made Trouble in the Glen (1954) for Wilcox. He and Withers teamed for Devil on Horseback (1954) and Port of Escape (1956). He returned to Australia to play a role in Smiley (1956).
He appeared with Withers on the West End stage in the play Waiting for Gillian by Ronald Millar.
J.C. Williamson
McCallum and his wife Googie Withers made their home in Australia from 1958 when McCallum became joint managing director of J. C. Williamson's alongside Sir Frank Tait.[9][10] McCallum was keen to encourage the casting of talented Australians in leading roles and was instrumental in beginning the starring careers of Kevin Colson, Jill Perryman, Nancye Hayes, Barbara Angell and others.
Producer
McCallum went into producing in association with Lee Robinson. They made Skippy the Bush Kangaroo (1966–70) which was a huge success, although a feature film based on it, The Intruders (1969) was not.
McCallum and Robinson went on to produce the series Barrier Reef (1971–72), Boney (1972–73), Shannon's Mob (1976), and Bailey's Bird. McCallum also wrote, directed and produced the film Nickel Queen (1971) which starred Withers.
He and Robinson went into film production with
McCallum continued to act during his career as a producer, on his own shows and for others. He frequently appeared on stage. A particular favourite role was in
Honours
His contribution to the Australian performing arts was considerable and, in 1971, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).[11] In 1992, he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO).[12] Both honours were made for services to drama and theatre.
McCallum was a JC Williamson Award recipient for lifetime achievement in 1999.[13] In 1992 Googie Withers and John McCallum were founding patrons and active supporters of the Tait Memorial Trust in London. A charity established by Isla Baring, the daughter of Sir Frank Tait of JC Williamson's to support young Australian performing artists in the UK.[14]
Death
John McCallum died in
Selected filmography
As actor
- Heritage (1935) – minor role (uncredited)
- A Son Is Born (1946) – John Seldon
- The Root of All Evil (1947) – Joe Bartle
- The Loves of Joanna Godden (1947) – Arthur Alce
- Bush Christmas (1947) – narrator (voice)
- It Always Rains on Sunday (1947) – Tommy Swann
- Miranda (1948) – Nigel Hood
- The Calendar (1948) – Capt. Garry Anson
- A Boy, a Girl and a Bike (1949) – David Howarth
- The Woman in Question (1950) – Michael Murray
- Traveller's Joy (1950) – Reggie Pelham
- The Magic Box (1951) – Sitter in Bath Studio
- Valley of Eagles (1951) – Dr. Nils Ahlen
- Lady Godiva Rides Again (1951) – Larry Burns
- Derby Day (1952) – Tommy Dillon
- Trent's Last Case (1952) – John Marlowe
- The Long Memory (1953) – Supt. Bob Lowther
- Melba (1953) – Charles Armstrong
- Devil on Horseback (1954) – Charles Roberts
- Trouble in the Glen (1954) – Malcolm MacFarr
- Three in One (1955) – Introductions
- Port of Escape (1956) – Mitch Gillis
- Smiley (1956) – Jim Rankin
As producer
- Skippy the Bush Kangaroo (1966–70) (TV series)
- Nickel Queen (1971) (film) (also writer/director)
- Barrier Reef (1971–72) (TV series)
- Boney (1972–73) (TV series)
- Shannon's Mob (1976) (TV series)
- Bailey's Bird (1979) (TV series)
- Attack Force Z (1981) (film)
- The Highest Honour(1983) (film)
Theatre
- Old Vic
- The Maid of the Mountains
- Waiting for Gillian on the West End
- The Circle in Australia / UK
References
- ABC TV. 8 October 2007. Archived from the originalon 5 November 2007.
- ^ "Vale – John McCallum". TV Tonight. 3 February 2010.
- ^ Obituary, The Times, London, 15 February 2010.
- ^ Obituary, The Independent, London, 3 April 2010.
- Surry Hills, Australia.
- ISBN 978-0-646-55807-3.
- Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 13, no. 39. Sydney, Australia. p. 36. Retrieved 12 December 2011 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Cleveson, Clem (5 February 1946). "Handsome Sydney Actor Wins Star Film Role". The Sun. No. 11, 244 (Late Final Extra ed.). Sydney, Australia. p. 5. Retrieved 4 September 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Obituary: John McCallum". The Daily Telegraph. London. 3 February 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
- ^ "Googie Withers and John McCallum – Double Act". Tait Memorial Trust. 7 October 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
- ^ "No. 45263". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 1970. p. 35.
- ^ "John Neil McCallum". It's An Honour. 1992.
- ^ "JC Williamson Award recipients". Helpmann Awards. Live Performance Australia. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
- ^ "Home". Tait Memorial Trust.
External links
- John McCallum at IMDb
- "John McCallum". Theatre Archive University of Bristol.
- "John McCallum". Live Performance Australia Hall of Fame.