John Baxter (director)

Not to be confused with the Australian author John Baxter.

For other people named John Baxter, see John Baxter (disambiguation).

John Philip Baxter
Born	31 December 1896 Kent
Died	London
Nationality	English
Occupation	Film director

John Philip Baxter (31 Dec 1896-21 Jan 1975) was a prolific British filmmaker active from the 1930s to the late 1950s. During that time he produced, wrote, or directed dozens of films. He directed Deborah Kerr in her first leading role in Love on the Dole (1941), and was the producer-director for the musical-comedy films of Flanagan and Allen during World War II.

Early life and career

Baxter was born on 31 December 1896 in Kent. He worked as a theatrical agent and theater manager. He became an assistant director in 1932. He formed his own production company with his friend John Barter. He also acted in several films produced by Lance Comfort.

Filmography

Director

• Doss House (1933)
• Song of the Plough (1933)
• Flood Tide (1934)
• Lest We Forget (1934)
• Music Hall (1934)
• Kentucky Minstrels (1934)
• Say It With Flowers (1934)
• Jimmy Boy (1935)
• A Real Bloke (1935)
• The Small Man (1935)
• Men of Yesterday (1936)
• Birds of a Feather (1936)
• Hearts of Humanity (1936)
• The Song of the Road (1937)
• The Academy Decides (1937)
• Talking Feet (1937)
• Stepping Toes (1938)
• Secret Journey (1939)
• What Would You Do, Chums? (1939)
• Old Mother Riley in Society (1940)
• Laugh It Off (1940)
• Love on the Dole (1941)
• The Common Touch (1941)
• Crook's Tour (1941)
• Old Mother Riley's Ghosts (1941)
• Old Mother Riley in Business (1941)
• We'll Smile Again (1942)
• Let the People Sing (1942)
• The Shipbuilders (1943)
• Theatre Royal (1943)
• Dreaming (1945)
• Here Comes the Sun (1946)
• The Grand Escapade (1946)
• Fortune Lane (1947)
• Nothing Venture (1948)
• When You Come Home (1948)
• Three Bags Full (1949)
• The Dragon of Pendragon Castle (1950)
• The Second Mate (1950)
• Judgment Deferred (1952)
• The Last Load (1953)
• Ramsbottom Rides Again (1956)

Writer

• Music Hall (1934)
• Say It With Flowers (1934)
• Let the People Sing (1942)
• Ramsbottom Rides Again (1956)
• The Heart Within (1957)

Legacy

Baxter played a major role in the foundation of National Film Finance Corporation in 1948. He also directed and produced Judgment Deferred (1952) which was the first film of Group 3, a British government backed production venture. His last film as a director was Ramsbottom Rides Again (1956) which featured Arthur Askey.

Death

He died in London in 1975.

Further reading

• Geoff Brown and Tony Aldgate (1989). The Common Touch: The Films of John Baxter. London: British Film Institute. ISBN 0-85170-242-2.

External links

• John Baxter at the Internet Movie Database
• John Baxter at the British Film Institute's Screenonline