Kenneth Harper (1913–1998) was an English film producer. He produced 13 films between 1954 and 1973. He was a member of the jury at the 21st Berlin International Film Festival.[1]
Kenneth Harper | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1913 Kinver, South Staffordshire, England |
| Died | 1998 (aged 84–85) Banbury, Oxfordshire, England |
| Occupation | Film producer |
| Years active | 1954–1973 |
He produced the first films of Peter Yates and Ken Russell and four films starring Cliff Richard. In a 1964 interview he said he found producing "fascinating - finding the story, the director and the cast: mixing people, you know? It's like being a chef in the kitchen."[2]
Biography edit
Harper's first credit as producer was a Dirk Bogarde comedy, For Better, for Worse (1954) directed by J. Lee Thompson for Associated British. Harper and Thompson reunited on Yield to the Night (1956) a drama with Diana Dors.[3][4]
Harper teamed up with George Willoughby and made Action of the Tiger (1957) at MGM, directed by Terence Young, and Passionate Summer (1958) for Rank.[5]
Harper had a big hit with The Young Ones (1961) starring Cliff Richard and directed by Sidney J. Furie. It was the second most popular film of the year at the British box-office.[6] After doing the comedy Go to Blazes (1962) he did a second film with Richard, Summer Holiday (1963), the first feature directed by Peter Yates and another hit.[7]
Harper producer Ken Russell's first film as director, but French Dressing (1964) flopped. A third film with Richard, Wonderful Life (1964) was a disappointment. So too was Two Weeks in September (1967).[8]
More popular was Prudence and the Pill (1968).[9]
His last two credits were The Virgin and the Gypsy (1970) and Take Me High (1973), the latter another film with Richard.
Filmography edit
- For Better, for Worse (1954)
- Yield to the Night (1956)
- Action of the Tiger (1957)
- Passionate Summer (1958)
- The Young Ones (1961)
- Go to Blazes (1962)
- Summer Holiday (1963)
- French Dressing (1964)
- Wonderful Life (US title: Swingers' Paradise[10] 1964)
- Two Weeks in September (1967)
- Prudence and the Pill (1968)
- The Virgin and the Gypsy (1970)[11]
- Take Me High (1973)
References edit
- ^ "Berlinale 1971: Juries". berlinale.de. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
- ^ YOU PAYS YOUR MONEY AND YOU TAKES YOUR CHANCE Grant, Elspeth. The Tatler and Bystander; London Vol. 252, Iss. 3277, (17 June 1964): 667.
- ^ FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 21, Iss. 240, (1 January 1954): 161.
- ^ McCambridge in 'Giant;' Los Angeles Times 18 May 1955: A7.
- ^ 'Action, of the Tiger' Keeps Stars on Move G M W. Los Angeles Times 11 October 1957: B8.
- ^ "Money-Making Films Of 1962." Times [London, England] 4 January 1963: 4. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 11 July 2012.
- ^ The perpetual busman's holiday: Sir Cliff Richard and British pop musicals Donnelly, K J. Journal of Popular Film & Television; Washington Vol. 25, Iss. 4, (Winter 1998): 146-154.
- ^ Petrie, Duncan James (2016). "Resisting Hollywood Dominance in Sixties British Cinema : The NFFC/Rank Joint Financing Initiative" (PDF). Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television.
- ^ Deals, Deals, Deals With the Busiest Body of Them All: PLAYFUL "PRUDENCE" REVIVED MAN AT WORK By A.H. WEILER. New York Times 6 February 1966: X9.
- ^ Overview for Swingers' Paradise (1965)", Turner Classic Movies page
- ^ CALL SHEET: Star Role of 'Virgin' Assigned Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 30 June 1969: d24.
External links edit
- Kenneth Harper at IMDb
- Kenneth Harper at BFI