Mervyn Johns

Mervyn Johns

Nacimiento : 1899-02-18, Pembroke, Wales, UK

Muerte : 1992-09-06

Historia

Father of actress Glynis Johns, who appeared with him in The Halfway House (1944) and The Sundowners (1960). Stocky, benevolent-looking Welsh character who became an unexpected star of British movies during WWII, then moved quickly into post-war supports, with one of his fondly-remembered parts being that of the cowering "Bob Cratchit" to Alastair Sim's cold-hearted "Ebenezer Scrooge" in the definitive film version of A Christmas Carol (1951).

Perfil

Mervyn Johns

Películas

La casa del pecado mortal
Father Duggan
Un sacerdote graba las confesiones de sus feligreses, y luego usa las cintas para chantajearlos. Cuando ellos no pueden pagar, él los asesina. Después de que varios de los feligreses aparezcan muertos, un ama de casa comienza a tener sus sospechas sobre él.
The National Health
Peter Nichols adapted his own hit play to the screen, based on his experiences in hospitals. A riotous black comedy that's as timely today as ever, it contrasts the appalling conditions in a overcrowded London hospital with a soap opera playing on the televisions there. In an ingenious touch, the same actors appear in the "real" story as well as the "TV" one, thus blurring the distinctions even further. Jack Gould directs such outstanding British actors as Lynn Redgrave, Colin Blakely, Eleanor Bron, Jim Dale, Donald Sinden, Mervyn Johns, and, in only his second film, Bob Hoskins. The renowned Carl Davis composed the score.
The National Health
Rees
Peter Nichols adapted his own hit play to the screen, based on his experiences in hospitals. A riotous black comedy that's as timely today as ever, it contrasts the appalling conditions in a overcrowded London hospital with a soap opera playing on the televisions there. In an ingenious touch, the same actors appear in the "real" story as well as the "TV" one, thus blurring the distinctions even further. Jack Gould directs such outstanding British actors as Lynn Redgrave, Colin Blakely, Eleanor Bron, Jim Dale, Donald Sinden, Mervyn Johns, and, in only his second film, Bob Hoskins. The renowned Carl Davis composed the score.
Who Killed the Cat?
Henry Fawcett
A scheming widow tries to persecute three old ladies, but fate takes its revenge on her.
Los héroes de Telemark
Col. Wilkinson
II Guerra Mundial. En 1942, en la Noruega ocupada por los nazis, los aliados encuentran un documento que es la prueba irrefutable de que los alemanes están avanzando en la búsqueda de la fisión atómica. Con la ayuda de partisanos noruegos, un comando británico intenta sabotear las instalaciones alemanas dedicadas a la fabricación de la bomba atómica.
A Jolly Bad Fellow
An English professor decides that there are too many useless people in the world and invents a gas that will kill them off. But first they'll at least have a good laugh.
La vieja casa oscura
Petiphar Femm
Un turista que busca cobijo para pasar la noche va a parar a una tenebrosa mansión en la que vive una familia de seres espeluznantes.
80,000 Suspects
Buckridge
A doctor's already-shaky marriage is tested to an even greater extent when he has to contend with a smallpox epidemic.
55 días en Pekín
China, año 1900. Las embajadas extranjeras en Pekín deben hacer frente a la sangrienta revuelta nacionalista desencadenada por los boxers, que asesinan cristianos. Dentro del recinto asediado, el embajador inglés se une a los miembros de otras delegaciones en un desesperado intento por resistir el asedio.
La semilla del espacio
Mr. Coker
Una lluvia de meteoritos convierte en monstruos a unas plantas traídas del espacio y deja a la mayoría de la población totalmente ciega. Las pocas personas que conservan la visión son la única esperanza para la humanidad.
Francisco de Asís
Brother Juniper
Misticismo, entrega, espiritualidad y pobreza conforman la historia de Francisco de Asís, hijo de un acaudalado comerciante de telas, que un día abandonó todas las comodidades y riquezas de la casa paterna para dedicarse en cuerpo y alma a servir a Dios y a los necesitados. Biografía de uno de los personajes religiosos más importantes de la Historia.
Echo of Barbara
Sam Roscoe
Barbara is the long-lost sister of no-good Mike Roscoe (Ronald Hines). Paula Brown (Maureen Connell) is the stripper whom Mike hires to pose as Barbara. It's all part of a scheme to fool Mike's ex-convict dad Sam Roscoe (Mervyn Johns). The son hopes to entice Sam into revealing the whereabouts of his stolen money, and Paula is hopefully going to do the trick. Based on a novel by Jonathan Burke, Echo of Barbara is a better-than-usual British programmer, entertaining despite its surplus of unpleasant leading characters.
The Rebel
Manager of Art Gallery, London
Anthony Hancock gives up his office job to become an abstract artist. He has a lot of enthusiasm, but little talent, and critics scorn his work. Nevertheless, he impresses an emerging very talented artist. Hancock proceeds to con the art world into thinking he is a genius.
No Love for Johnnie
Charlie Young
Johnnie Byrne is a member of the British Parliament. In his 40s, he's feeling frustrated with his life and his personal as well as professional problems tower up over him. His desires to win the next election are endangered by his constant looking for love and he is faced with the choice of giving up a career in politics or giving up the woman he loves.
Tres vidas errantes
Jack Patchogue
Australia, 1920. Un matrimonio (Robert Mitchum y Deborah Kerr) y su hijo viven felices viajando por Australia y realizando diversos trabajos para sobrevivir. Llega, sin embargo, un momento en que la madre, apoyada por su hijo y movida por el instinto de conservación, plantea la necesidad de abandonar la vida errante que siempre han llevado y comprar una granja para establecerse definitivamente en algún lugar. Ahora bien, alcanzar ese sueño implicará muchos sacrificios.
Hasta el último aliento
Alfie Barnes
John Cummings es un agente de ventas cuya vida personal es un auténtico fracaso. Para colmo, el coche que se ha comprado para hacer su trabajo se lo roba una banda organizada, que se dedica a falsificar la documentación de los vehículos sustraídos para después venderlos. En vista de que, al denunciar el robo, le aseguran que será casi imposible encontrar su coche, decide investigar por su cuenta, aunque pronto descubrirá que tiene que enfrentarse a un siniestro y despiadado criminal, Lionel Meadows. (FILMAFFINITY)
Volverás a mí
Mr. Alonzo Wilbur Jr.
Yul Brynner interpreta a un genio musical cuyas excentricidades son controladas por su esposa, hasta que lo descubre "audicionando" a un pianista joven y sensual. Ella lo abandona y su carrera rápidamente comienza a patinar. El maestro temperamental debe volver a conquistar a su esposa despreciada.
El discípulo del diablo
Rev. Maindeck Parshotter
Adaptación de una conocida obra teatral de Bernard Shaw basada en ciertos hechos ocurridos en 1777. Durante la Guerra de Independencia de los Estados Unidos (1775-1783), en la que los colonos de Nueva Inglaterra se sublevaron contra la metrópoli, surgió una estrecha amistad entre un colono americano y un pastor protestante inglés.
La gitana y el caballero
Brook
Durante una feria, Paul Deverill (Keith Michell) conocerá a la gitana Belle (Melina Mercouri) de la cual quedará tan prendado que, en contra de un compromiso ya establecido, a la primera oportunidad la convertirá en su amante. Para ella, él no será más que la ocasión de conseguir todo lo que la vida le ha denegado y junto a su enamorado Jess (Patrick McGoohan), hará cuanto pueda para conseguirlo.
Danger List
Mr. Ellis
When a pharmacist accidentally prescribes poison instead of painkillers, the race is on to find the killer pills.
The Surgeon's Knife
Mr. Waring
A doctor becomes the victim of extortionists when one of his patients dies under questionable circumstances.
The Vicious Circle
Dr. George Kimber
When Dr Howard Latimer finds the German Actress that he has just met at London Airport murdered in his flat, it leads him into the world of murder, blackmail and a fake passport scam.
The Counterfeit Plan
Louie Bernard
An escaped murderer flees France to England, where he forces an ex-forger, now established as a reputable estate owner, and the forger's daughter who knew nothing of his past, to counterfeit 5-pound notes for mass distribution around the countryside.
Doctor at Large
Smith
The third of the "Doctor" films. Newly qualified doctor Simon Sparrow goes in search of a job. He applies for a surgery position at the hospital where he studied, but manages to insult the senior surgeon and one of the hospital's governors. So, instead he ends up as assistant to with a niggardly and rather scary GP with an amerous wife, followed by cushy but rather unmedical job with a Harley Street doctor, and then a job with a very nice GP whp is the opposite to the first one. But after getting the chance to rescue the hospital governor from a group of angry ladies at a resort in France, he finally lands a job at his beloved hosdpital.
Find the Lady
Hurst
During New Year's Eve, a young model spends the day searching for her grandmother, who has suspiciously gone missing.
Moby Dick
Peleg
Nueva adaptación de la novela homónima de Herman Melville. Ahab, el capitán del Pequod, un barco ballenero, vive obsesionado por dar caza a Moby Dick, la gran ballena blanca que le arrancó una pierna y lo llenó de odio y sed de venganza. Por esta razón, consagra su vida a navegar incansablemente por los siete mares con el fin de capturar a su presa.
The Intimate Stranger
Ernest Chaple
Film producer Reggie Wilson is worried he may have a dual personality. Fleeing Hollywood, he finds himself in England and married to the studio boss's daughter after which he quickly rises through the studio ranks. Then the letters begin to appear from a lovesick American actress who wants to know why he has thrown her over.
1984
Jones
En 1984, Londres está gobernada por el partido totalitario del Gran Hermano. La intimidad y la libertad de pensamiento no existen. Las relaciones sexuales constituyen un delito. Winston Smith trabaja en los archivos del Ministerio de la Verdad reescribiendo y modificando la Historia. Su vida se verá seriamente amenazada cuando empiece a darse cuenta de que sus pensamientos no son tan ortodoxos como el Partido exige; además tiene una relación amorosa clandestina con Julia, una joven del departamento de novelas afiliada a la Liga Antisexo. Ambos saben que tendrán que pagar un precio muy alto por el crimen que están cometiendo y que no hay escapatoria posible.
The Blue Peter
A Merchant Navy hero of the Korean War returns to England after three years of captivity in Communist hands, his mind confused by brain-washing and indoctrination at the hands of his captors, and accepts a post as an instructor at the Outward Bound Sea School.
Romeo y Julieta
Friar Laurence
Adaptación del clásico de William Shakespeare. La versión de Castellani es probablemente la mejor gracias, sobre todo, a la fidelidad al texto y al acierto de las localizaciones. Los escenarios veroneses, donde se supone que ocurrieron los hechos, son fotografiados admirablemente por Robert Krasker. En 1954 la película fue elegida como mejor film inglés por la British Academy Awards.
El señor de Ballantry
MacKellar
Durante el siglo XVIII, dos hermanos enfrentados toman diferentes partidos en bandos opuestos que luchan por el trono de Inglaterra; el príncipe Carlos, heredero de los Estuardo, llama a las armas a sus compatriotas para derrocar al rey Jorge.
The Oracle
Tom Mitchum
An Irish "oracle" foretells the next day's track results to a newspaperman, resulting in a national uproar.
Tall Headlines
Uncle Ted
A family is torn apart when their eldest son is hanged for the murder of a young girl.
The Magic Box
Goitz
Now old, ill, poor, and largely forgotten, William Freise-Greene was once very different. As young and handsome William Green he changed his name to include his first wife's so that it sounded more impressive for the photographic portrait work he was so good at. But he was also an inventor and his search for a way to project moving pictures became an obsession that ultimately changed the life of all those he loved.
Cuento de Navidad
Bob Cratchit
Ebeneezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim) es un cruel avaro hasta una Nochebuena fatídica cuando es visitado por tres fantasmas. Los espíritus le muestran cómo su comportamiento durante los años le ha hecho un hombre solitario, amargo. Utilizan eventos del pasado idealista de Scrooge, su tristre presente y su lúgubre futuro, las apariciones harán todo lo posible para derretir su alma steely. Cicatero Ebeneezer Scrooge aprende de sus errores justo a tiempo para las vacaciones de Navidad y consigue que la vida de todos sea un poco mejor.
Scrooge
Bob Cratchit
Tony Draws a Horse
The free-spirited wife of a proper British doctor leaves him after an arguement over the anatomically correct drawing of a horse on the wall drawn by their young son Tony.
Diamond City
Hart
Set in the diamond fields of South Africa, Stafford Parker is a lawman trying to maintain a semblance of law and order in the "Wild South".
Edward, mi hijo
Harry Sempkin
Un despiadado hombre de negocios vive obsesionado con su hijo Edward, al que sería capaz de proteger a cualquier precio; pero su vástago, lejos de pagarle con la misma moneda, sólo siente hacia su padre odio y desprecio.
Helter Skelter
Ernest Bennett
A detective gets involved with a wealthy socialite who can't seem to stop hiccuping.
Cuarteto
Samuel Sunbury
"Cuarteto" es una película británica con cuatro segmentos, cada uno basado en una historia de W. Somerset Maugham. Cada segmento es presentado por el autor. Fue un éxito y eso propició producir dos secuelas "Trio" (1950) y "Encore" (1951), y popularizó el formato de película de compendio. Los guiones de las historias fueron escritos por R. C. Sherriff.
Easy Money
Herbert Atkins
A win on the football pools in postwar Britain changes lives. A happy family is turned into an unhappy argumentative lot until it is discovered the coupon apparently didn't get posted. A mild-mannered clerk worries about how to tell his overbearing boss he is quitting. A double-bass player finds life without the orchestra lacks something. The lure of the big money even turns some people into criminals, as when a coupon checker is tempted by his night-club singer girlfriend to cheat the company. Written by Jeremy Perkins
Counterblast
Dr. Bruckner, the Beast of Ravensbruck
An escaped World War 2 Nazi doctor impersonates a murdered English doctor so he can work on a vaccination to protect the Germans in their planned germ warfare.
El rebelde
Watty Connell
Based on real events, this historical drama is set in 19th-century Ireland, when poverty-stricken tenants dispossessed by greedy landowner Capt. Boycott (Cecil Parker) band together to assert their rights. Patriotic farmer Hugh Davin (Stewart Granger) leads the rebels. Choosing nonviolent resistance, the villagers ostracize their nemesis, who squanders his fortune to repair his ruined reputation and wagers what's left on a horse race.
Corazón cautivo
Pte. Evans
En el verano de 1940, el capitán checo Karel Hasek (Michael Redgrave) escapa del campo de concentración de Dachau y asume la identidad de un oficial británico muerto, el capitán Geoffrey Mitchell. Después de ser atrapado, acompañará a miles de prisioneros de guerra británicos a un campo de prisioneros.
They Knew Mr. Knight
Tom Blake
After a chance train encounter with Laurence Knight, Tom Blake's family's fortunes prosper on the beneficence of the great financier. A developing friendship leads to the Knights selling their home to the Blakes when they move back to London. All looks rosy for the Blakes as share prices in Mr Knight's new business venture soar, but is their confidence misplaced?
Pink String and Sealing Wax
Edward Sutton
Brighton, 1890. Un joven, hijo de un médico puritano, intenta escapar del represivo ambiente familiar y, sobre todo, de las restricciones que le impone su riguroso padre. Busca refugio en una taberna, donde se siente inmediatamente atraído por la sordidez de los bebedores y por los encantos de la tabernera.
Al morir la noche
Walter Craig (Segment "Linking Story")
En un caserón inglés se reúne un grupo de personas que comienzan a contar historias de misterio: la de un conductor de autobús que parece anunciar la muerte, la de un fantasma infantil que mora en una mansión, la de dos amigos enfrentados por una mujer incluso después de la muerte, la de un espejo maldito, la de un muñeco de ventrílocuo que controla a su propietario.
The Halfway House
Rhys
Un grupo de viajeros, cada uno con un problema personal que quiere ocultar, llegar a una misteriosa posada de campo galesa. Hay una cierta extrañeza en el aire a medida que son recibidos por el dueño y su hija. ¿Por qué todos los periódicos tienen un año de antigüedad? ¿Y por qué Gwyneth parece que no proyecta sombra?
San Demetrio London
Greaser John Boyle - M.V. San Demetrio
British drama documentary from 1943, based on the true story of the 1940 rescue of the tanker MV San Demetrio by parts of her own crew after she had been set afire in the middle of the Atlantic by the German heavy cruiser Admiral Scheer and then had been abandoned. When one of the lifeboats drifted back to the burning tanker the day after, and found that she still hadn't exploded, they decided to board her and put out the fires. Eventually, they managed to start the engine again and decided to try to reach Britain against all odds.
My Learned Friend
Grimshaw
An insane murderer is on the loose, and gunning for the men who put him away. Will Hay is on the list, and co-opts Claude Hulbert to try and stop him from meeting a grisly end.
The Bells Go Down
Sam
Comedian Tommy Trinder plays it straight in this tribute to the wartime AFS (Auxiliary Fire Service). The dedicated band who kept the fires of London under control during the blitz and fire bombings of WWII.
Went the Day Well? (48 Hours)
Charles Sims
Durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial, un grupo de soldados británicos llega a la aldea inglesa de Bramley End. Al principio son bien recibidos por los lugareños, pero muy pronto éstos empiezan a dudar de su identidad y de sus verdaderos propósitos. Cuando descubren que, en realidad, son soldados alemanes cuyo objetivo es ser la avanzadilla de la invasión de Inglaterra, los encierran en la iglesia parroquial. (FILMAFFINITY)
Somewhere In France
Official, Passport Office
Based on the true story of Melbourne Johns, an aircraft factory foreman sent to France to prevent the Nazis getting hold of some vital equipment.
The Next of Kin
No 23: Mr Davis
Wartime propaganda piece giving the warning "Be like Dad, Keep Mum". A gossipy housewife is overheard talking about what her son is doing by a Nazi spy.
Saloon Bar
Wickers
A bookmaker with a fancy for detective work attempts to prevent the execution of a potentially innocent man.
Convoy
His Mate
La historia de los altibajos de quienes protegían los convoyes vitales entre Estados Unidos e Inglaterra durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial.
Girl in the News
James Fetherwood
An elderly lady manages to sneak some pills away from her nurse and dies of an overdose. The nurse is tried for murder and acquitted. Some time later the nurse, under a new name and identity, cares for a patient who also dies of an overdose. When her real identity comes out, suspicions arouses.
La Posada de Jamaica
Thomas, gang member
Última película inglesa de Hitchcock, antes de su etapa americana. A finales del siglo XVIII, Mary (Maureen O'Hara), una joven huérfana irlandesa, va a Cornuailles para reunirse con su tía Patience, cuyo marido tiene una posada en la costa. Se trata de un lugar sórdido, cuyos huéspedes son bandidos que se dedican al saqueo de barcos y gozan de una impunidad total porque el cabecilla de la banda es un hombre respetable, un juez de paz (Charles Laughton) que les proporciona la información necesaria sobre el paso de las naves.
Pride and Prejudice
Sir Willian Lucas
Night Ride
Trapped Miner
Two truck drivers fired by the crooked trucking firm they worked for start their own company. Their former boss, worried about the competition, tries everything he can to drive them out of business, from sending his pretty daughter to seduce them to having his henchmen sabotage their trucks.
Tormenta a la vista
Court Bailiff (uncredited)
El despótico alcalde de un pequeño pueblo británico maltrata a una pobre vendedora ambulante, cuya perrita le ha sido confiscada por no haber pagado las tasas municipales. Un periodista que presencia la escena y la publica en su periódico será llamado a declarar en el juicio como testigo.
Dishonour Bright
French Postcard Seller
A man is cited as the co-respondent in a divorce case, but is cheerfully unashamed when he appears in court.
In the Soup
Meakin
A young married couple try to impress a rich relation by posing as maid and butler of the household.
Foreign Affaires
Courtroom Interpreter
An ageing aristocrat schemes to secure his dwindling finances by any means - fair or foul!
The Guv'nor
Bank Director
The Guv'nor (released in the U.S. as Mr. Hobo) is a 1935 British comedy film starring George Arliss as a tramp who rides a series of misunderstandings and becomes the president of a bank.
Lady in Danger
Reporter
Walls plays an Englishman who's assigned the task of transporting a Queen(Yvonne Arnaud) of a revolution-torn country to England incognito. Hiding her in his London apartment, then his country house gives rise to many misunderstandings among his employees, friends and his Fianceé.