Michael Smedley-Aston
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Edward Michael "Smed" Smedley-Aston (1912–2006), sometimes credited only as M. Smedley-Aston or E.M. Smedley-Aston, was a British film producer involved with over 40 feature films, and pioneering some of the earliest filmed TV series in the UK.
Early life
Smedley-Aston was born on 25 August 1912, in Edgbaston, Birmingham, as the son of William Smedley-Aston (1868 - 1941), a Birmingham photographer and pioneer in the field of photography.[1] He was educated at Marlborough College.[2]
Career
Smedley-Aston began his career at Elstree Studios, where he worked with Alfred Hitchcock and was assistant director on many films including Dance Band, Royal Cavalcade, Drake of England (all 1935) and Goodbye Mr. Chips (1939).
After World War II, he joined the
As an independent producer he reunited the popular
Smed was also involved in the early days of filmed episode TV. Assignment Foreign Legion (1957) was created as a vehicle for Merle Oberon and filmed at Beaconsfield Studios. He brought several episodes of Navy Log (1958) from its Hollywood base to European locations, and produced The Third Man series (1959–61).
Personal life
During the Second World War Smedley-Aston served in the RAF. He retired to the Isle of Man in 1970, returning to London to produce two comedy films, Ooh... You Are Awful (1972) and The Wildcats of St. Trinian's (1980).
In 1935, he married Thora Quayle (b. 1913), who he met in the early days at Elstree Studios. They had one son, Brian, who followed also became a film editor and producer.
References
- ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
- ^ a b Newley, Patrick (2 March 2006). "Michael Smedley-Aston | Obituaries". The Stage. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
- ISBN 9780786452118.
- ^ "Life with the stars in movie heyday; SHOWBIZ: Son reveals how his father became leading light of British film industry.(News)". 10 May 2006. Archived from the original on 13 September 2017.
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(help) - ^ Mulcahy, Frank (17 April 1961). "Sellers is Hilarious in "Two-Way Stretch"". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 13 September 2017.