In 1936 two films in which Alan d'Egville had a part were released. He collaborated in the screenplay of Highland Fling with Ralph Stock. According to the British Film Institute Library Synopsis, the plot of this film can be condensed to, "Private detectives are asked to find a will mislaid in a haunted Scottish castle."
Ralph Stock wrote at least seven screenplays either alone or in collaboration with other authors. His scripts were given life by actors such as Sir John Mills, Gordon Harker and Patrick Macnee.
Alan seems to have worked on just the one production but unlike Ralph Stock he also appeared in a film which was released in the same year. Fox British Pictures produced a comedy short starring the great comedian Robb Wilton, Servants All. The British Film Institute describe this movie as, a "Comedy in which servants change places with aristocrats."
This cast are an interesting little company in themselves, including Viola Compton - the sister of the writer Compton MacKenzie - and an early performance by Cyril Cusack. Alan played the character of Mr. Horton-Pratt.
Alan had experience of acting and appeared in Berlin - whether before or after these movies I do not yet know - although from the dates I suspect that it was before 1936. I'm eager to read his autobiography, Adventures in Safety (London: Sampson Low, 1937).
No comments:
Post a Comment