Anthony Pelissier

Harry Anthony Compton Pelissier (1912 – 2 April 1988) was an English actor, screenwriter, producer and director.

Biography

Pelissier was born in Barnet and came from a theatrical family. His parents were the theatre producer H. G. Pelissier (who presented Pelissier's Follies) and the distinguished actress Fay Compton. His uncle was Compton MacKenzie, who wrote Whisky Galore.

Pelissier began acting in the 1930s. In 1935 and 1936, he was featured in Noël Coward's play cycle, Tonight at 8.30, both in Britain and on Broadway. He also played in Coward's Set to Music (1939) He began writing in 1937 and directing in 1949. He was the screenwriter and director of three popular films, The History of Mr Polly (1949), based on a novel by H. G. Wells, The Rocking Horse Winner (1950), based on a short story by D. H. Lawrence and Personal Affair starring Gene Tierney written by Lesley Storm. He also directed Encore (1951). He also directed Ealing's satire on television Meet Mr Lucifer (1953). He later headed the experimental production unit at the BBC.

Pelissier was married four times: first to actress Penelope Dudley Ward (29 December 1939 – divorced 1944). The couple had one daughter, actress Tracy Reed. His second wife was Margaret Hyde, with whom he produced two daughters, Harriet and Marie-Louise. His third wife was actress Monica Greey with whom he had one son, producer Joe Pelissier. His last wife was actress Ursula Howells (1968–1988).

He died in Eastbourne in 1988, aged 75.

Selected filmography

• Perfect Strangers (1945) (writer)
• The History of Mr Polly (1949) (writer and director)
• The Rocking Horse Winner (1950) (writer and director)
• Encore (1951) (director)
• Personal Affair (1953) (director)

External links

• Anthony Pelissier at the Internet Movie Database
• Anthony Pelissier at the IBDB database