behp0304-don-sharp-summary
SIDE ONE
Born 1921, Hobart Australia. Father cashier in the Tramways, family of seven, left Catholic public school at 16, got small office job, then into amateur theatricals. 1941 Royal Australian Air Force, discharged on medical grounds, back to the theatre. Talks about the Equity strike in Australia, went to Japan, touring the Allied camps, and from there worked his way to the UK. Shared a flat with Frank Worth, wrote a screenplay and with the encouragement of James Laurie of the BFFC [British Film Financing Corporation] managed to get his first film Ha’penny Breeze; he describes the making.
SIDE TWO
He was out of action with TB; again, thanks to James Laurie, he got a job with Group 3; talks about John Grierson, who helped him, tells how he tried to join ACT, was Second Unit Director on Conflict of Wings, also other films. Eventually got a film to direct for the CFF [Children’s Film Foundation], The Stolen Airliner; then he directed Crossroads, then followed various other assignments.
SIDE THREE
Various 2nd Unit jobs. 20th Century asked him to cover the Brussels World Fair for an Ed Sullivan Show; then a film for The War Office, Keeping the Peace, which he scripted and Directed and then The Professionals for Independent Artists; then Linda. 1961, ATV’s Ghost Squad with Donald Wolfit (good story), various other assignments, then Second Unit Director on The Fast Lady. Then Anthony Hinds asked him to do a film for Hammer – The Kiss of the Vampire which he scripted and directed (1962).
SIDE FOUR
1963. It’s all Happening, another Hammer film, Devil Ship Pirates, various films then Second Unit Director for Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines. 1964: The Curse of the Fly; 1965: Harry Alan Towers [H.A.T.] The Face of Fu Manchu, then various films for H.A.T.
SIDE FIVE
Various projects which never got off the ground; then Monty Berman and Baker asked him to do some of The Champions TV series; also, The Avengers. Followed by work for Westinghouse, 1969 asked to do a chase sequence for Puppet on a Chain. He talks about shooting and editing for stunts. Many more false starts.
SIDE SIX
He continues talking about Psychomania. More false starts then [the film version of] Callan made at Lee Studios, Wembley with Edward Woodward. The dubbing for this film was the first time Dolby equipment was used for that purpose. He then talks about Hennessy, a film he made starring Rod Steiger. He then goes on to talk about War in an English Country Garden (The Micronauts) [?]. Then he talks about a lot of ventures that never took off. In 1976 he made the re-make of The Four Feathers, and in 1978 the re-make of The Thirty-Nine Steps. He then backtracks to Bear Island.
SIDE SEVEN
Bear Island continued; various other non-starters. He then talks about A Woman of Substance.
SIDE EIGHT
Continues about A Woman of Substance, then Tusitala, shot in Samoa, 6 x 1hr episodes mini-series [Imdb says 3 parts] ; then, again, a series of non-starters, then Love Story; Tears in the Rain, shot at Pinewood for cable television. Then Act of Will.{TV mini-series].
Finally, Don ran out of energy and gave up.
[END]
