ROSAMUND JOHN
Born: October 19th 1913.
Summary of interview by Rodney Giesler on May 26th 1993
Side 1
Childhood. Converted to socialism by teacher. Parents separated. Milton Rosmer gets her a part in "Secret of Loch Ness" (1937). Two seasons at Stratford. C.B. Cochran gives a part in "Home & Beauty". Describes working conditions and pay and fellow artistes. Acting in the West End during the blitz. Working with Leslie Howard in "First of the Few". Then "The Gentle Sex", again with Howard. "The Lamp Still Burns" with Stewart Granger, directed by Maurice Elvey. "The Way to the Stars" directed by Anthony Asquith. "Tawney Pipit" with Bernard Miles. "Green for Danger" (Sydney Gilliatt), with Alastair Sim, "Fame is the Spur" for Boulting Brothers with Michael Redgrave. Never stopped working. Most directors totally disorganised. Noel Coward the exception. Never entered studio without a finished script and schedule.
Side 2
Tough working conditions in studios during the war years. Elected to Council of Equity. Impact of the McCarthy era in this country. Invited to join Cinematograph Films
r---. Council by Harold Wilson. Knew and liked George Elvin. Describes her experiences as a CFC delegate to the Soviet Union. Meets famed Soviet actor Nicolai Cherkassov. Memories of Larry Olivier, Michael Redgrave, Puffin Asquith, John Laurie and Micky Powell. Met husband John Silkin during Marylebone byelection. Had to go back to stage ( "Gaslight" with Robert Newton) to support them. Describes the Silkin family and problems with her children caused by her absence acting.
ROSAMUND JOHN
Born: October 19th 1913.
Summary of interview by Rodney Giesler on May 26th 1993
Side 1
Childhood. Converted to socialism by teacher. Parents separated. Milton Rosmer gets her a part in "Secret of Loch Ness" (1937). Two seasons at Stratford. C.B. Cochran gives a part in "Home & Beauty". Describes working conditions and pay and fellow artistes. Acting in the West End during the blitz. Working with Leslie Howard in "First of the Few". Then "The Gentle Sex", again with Howard. "The Lamp Still Burns" with Stewart Granger, directed by Maurice Elvey. "The Way to the Stars" directed by Anthony Asquith. "Tawney Pipit" with Bernard Miles. "Green for Danger" (Sydney Gilliatt), with Alastair Sim, "Fame is the Spur" for Boulting Brothers with Michael Redgrave. Never stopped working. Most directors totally disorganised. Noel Coward the exception. Never entered studio without a finished script and schedule.
Side 2
Tough working conditions in studios during the war years. Elected to Council of Equity. Impact of the McCarthy era in this country. Invited to join Cinematograph Films
r---. Council by Harold Wilson. Knew and liked George Elvin. Describes her experiences as a CFC delegate to the Soviet Union. Meets famed Soviet actor Nicolai Cherkassov. Memories of Larry Olivier, Michael Redgrave, Puffin Asquith, John Laurie and Micky Powell. Met husband John Silkin during Marylebone byelection. Had to go back to stage ( "Gaslight" with Robert Newton) to support them. Describes the Silkin family and problems with her children caused by her absence acting.
