Anthony Pelissier

Harry Anthony Compton Pelissier was an English actor, screenwriter, producer and director.

Biography

Pelissier was born in Barnet, north London, and came from a theatrical family. His parents were the theatre producer H. G. Pelissier and the actress Fay Compton. His uncle was Compton MacKenzie, who wrote Whisky Galore. He was barely a year old when his father died, and with his nineteen year-old widowed mother in pursuit of her acting career, was mostly raised by his grandmother Virginia Compton and a series of nannies. This background would inform one of his most successful films, The [Rocking Horse Winner (film)|The Rocking-Horse Winner] with its plot of a neglected young boy desperate to please his worldly mother.
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.That same year, in collaboration with his close friend, the actor John Mills he staged a West End revival of The Follies, the Edwardian musical revue company founded by his father H.G. Pélissier. He began writing in 1937 and directing in 1949. He was the screenwriter and director of four popular films: The History of Mr Polly, The Rocking Horse Winner, Night Without Stars, and Personal Affair, starring Gene Tierney and written by Lesley Storm. He also directed Encore.
He also directed Ealing's satire on television Meet Mr Lucifer. He later headed the experimental production unit at the BBC.

Personal life

Pelissier was married four times

Penelope Dudley-Ward ; the couple had one daughter, actress Tracy Reed
Margaret A Hyde, with whom he produced two daughters, Harriet and Marie-Louise
Actress Monica Grey with whom he had one son, Joe Pelissier
Actress Ursula Howells

Death

Pelissier died in Eastbourne, England, on 2 April 1988, aged 75. He was survived by his wife, Ursula Howells, and his four children.

Selected filmography

Perfect Strangers The History of Mr Polly The Rocking Horse Winner Night Without Stars Encore Personal Affair

''The Man Who Stroked Cats''