He often wrote under a pseudonym, for he did not wish his fellow actors to know he was the writer and sometimes made casting decisions. The British have an understated way of delivering these kind of gems to the screen; whereas Hollywood always goes for the big production values and star power most of the time. What a refreshing sight this film was to be enjoyed with my ten year old son, who by coincidence, was the same age as the protagonist in this film. Fox left acting in 1973 when he joined a Christian missionary group, the Navigators, though he did act in the story of a suicidal woman saved by religion, "No Longer Alone" (1978). (1997), Never Ever Fox started a wine merchant business and also dealt in antiques and pictures. Successfully venturing to Hollywood, Fox essayed similar characterizations in "King Rat" (1965), as a POW under the influence of a schemer (George Segal), and in "The Chase" (1966), as Jane Fonda's wealthy but spineless Texas husband. Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings, help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them. Though The Magnet oozes middle-class wholesome 1950's family values, which can be seen these days as starchy and very straight-laced, this unusual offering from the Ealing Studios works well on many levels. Performance (1970) -- (Movie Clip) Cog In An Organ, Performance (1970) -- (Movie Clip) Opening, Bachelor, Remains Of The Day, The (1993) -- (Movie Clip) One Doesn't Do That, Mister Lonely His film credits included roles in The Lavender Hill Mob (1951), The Secret Partner (1961), The Queen's Guards (1961), She Always Gets Their Man (1962), Ransom (1974), Omen III: The Final Conflict (1981) and Mata Hari (1985). [4], The film was a box office disappointment.[10]. : The long, complicated adventure in the main body of the film is a good, very worthwhile one, but does not have quite the same legendary status as the beginning and ending. [2][3], Fox was born in Manila in the Philippines, the son of a successful trader who operated across the South China Sea. 2023 Turner Classic Movies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. A wonderful, poignant and heartwarming movie. The pier and ferry are no longer there but the Floral Pavilion and Wilkie's fairground (where they try to influence the pinball machine with the magnet) are. The Times, 19 October 1950, page 2: First advertisement for. He has traded in a magnet for an alleged invisible watch, and gives it away to clear his conscience yet can't escape what he did. | In the US he had been offered an audition by Warner Bros., but turned it down since his new love, Patricia Hillard was acting in Oxford. (1965), The Servant Ealing Studios, London. (2013), Bunny and the Bull It's main theme of "cheats not prospering" was a fine ideal then, and still applies today. This Liverpool set Ealing Comedy is oddly devoid of Scousers until the back end of the film when the boy central to the plot crosses paths with a group of street urchins. He was related to the Hanbury and Neilson acting dynasty, through his mother, whose sister was the stage actress Lily Hanbury.Their first cousin Julia Neilson was married to the actor Fred Terry . Sound supervisor: Stephen Dalby. I bought this black & white video recently from a street vendor in St Albans market, Hertfordshire as part of a job lot of three Ealing comedies he was selling for 15.The others were "Whisky Galore" and "Passport to Pimlico".The other comments written below adequately deal with the basic plot, so I shall not elaborate further on that.What is interesting is to see the young William Fox play the juvenile lead small boy and whose later stage name was changed to James Fox (brother of Edward Fox) who later became well known in the film "The Servant" and "Performance".I was born in 1946 and this film was produced in 1950 so those scenes shown of early post war Britain have a reminiscence for me, when I remember those bomb sites, school dinners, food rationing which extended up to 1955, and an altogether more simple life.In those days children went "out to play" with their friends much more than todays TV/computer bound generation. (1981), No Longer Alone A lovely film giving us all a taste of nostalgia. The late 1970s saw him return to theatre and the West End in a revival of T. S. Eliot's The Family Reunion. If you agree, well also use cookies to complement your shopping experience across the Amazon stores as described in our Cookie Notice. I must go against the grain of most reviewers here and despite the waste of the good actress Kay Walsh this film is in my opinion utterly boring. Alleged to mean "Big James with the beard": "The Magnet Movie Review (1950) from Channel 4 Film", "Port Cities: Culture and Ethnicity Differences in Liverpool Chinese Community", The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Magnet_(film)&oldid=1129726443, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Michael Brooke (as Michael Brooke Jr) Kit, This page was last edited on 26 December 2022, at 21:08. [2][3][5], Fox also acted in and wrote radio dramas. Ealing often sent their crews to exotic locations and the claim in the opening credits that this fanciful whimsy was filmed at Ealing Studios - unusually without Alec Guinness - is ironically promptly contradicted by its's vivid rendering by cameraman Lionel Banes of the Merseyside locations around which a young 'William' Fox (as he was then called) is pursued; although Banes does also do an atmospheric job on the interiors. William Fox Date of Birth: 19th May 1939 Country of Birth: UK Notes later credited as James Fox Filmography The Magnet (1950) (as Johnny Brent) The Miniver Story (1950) One Wild Oat (1951) Page Last Modified: 4th October 2017 Page Added: 8th May 2003 Page Views: 12510 William Fox (actor) is Update Soon years old in 2022. (2000), Sexy Beast (2015), The Double One was Precipice, a play about a ballet, which co-starred dancer Anton Dolin. He enjoyed early success on the stage playing juvenile roles. He meets an eccentric iron lung maker who is raising funds for the local hospital, and gives him the magnet to be auctioned for charity. Johnny mistakenly thinks she is talking about the little boy himself, and becomes convinced that he is guilty of murder and goes on the runThis is an utterly charming film, with the very photogenic William Fox holding the attention throughout. : [2] [3] Contents 1 Early life 2 Pre-war career (1989), Boys in the Island The story involves a young Wallasey boy, Johnny Brent (Fox), who obtains the eponymous magnet by deception, leading to much confusion. (1993), Hostage Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. James Fox was born was born William Fox, on May 19, 1939, in London, UK, to Robin Fox and Angela Worthington. They leave him a tin of soup and some dry macaroni. Directed by Charles Frend. Author. The Magnet is a 1950 British comedy film featuring Stephen Murray, Kay Walsh and in his first starring role James Fox (then billed as William Fox). (1966), King Rat i'll watch this with my sister who still lives there and she will point out the roads. Charles Frend directs this Ealing comedy-drama in which a boy steals a powerful magnet from a younger boy, which gets him into all sorts of trouble. This film was made the year that I was born. The Magnet (1950) directed by Charles Frend Reviews, film + cast Letterboxd Where to watch JustWatch Remove Ads The Magnet 1950 Directed by Charles Frend Synopsis A classic Ealing comedy in which a young boy steals a magnet and becomes a hero. Show more Show more Try YouTube Kids Learn more Little Big. This review may contain spoilers. (1998), Jinnah TMDb A character actor familiar for playing authority figures, Fox appeared in popular series such as When The Boat Comes In (1976-77), Crown Court (1975-84), Yes Minister (1981) and All Creatures Great & Small (1988). He offers the boy everything he has in return for the magnet but the boy won't swop it for anything. He achieved this, and was awarded the school's gold medal upon graduating. This pleasant, easy-going film has all the hallmarks of an Ealing classic, with a particularly excellent and likable performance from its young star. The characters are, in the main, well portrayed and it's good to see another bravura performance from that most underrated of character actors, Meredith Edwards. The grey jacket and short trousers he wears in "THE MAGNET . His parents were amateur actors and managed a medical technical school. I can handle the truth. Johnny is almost run over and sees it as karma and decides to get rid of the magnet. After watching his father board the ferry to his work as a psychologist in Liverpool, he spends the rest of the morning playing on the beach. Submit a correction or make a comment about this profile, Red Riding: In the Year of Our Lord 1980 (28-Feb-2009), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (13-Jul-2005), Beryl Markham: A Shadow on the Sun (15-May-1988), Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (30-Mar-1984), Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines (16-Jun-1965), Submit a correction or make a comment about this profile. [2][3][5] Rees petitioned for divorce in 1937. Charles Frend. At an hour and a quarter, it's frustratingly short, and definitely left me wanting more. Scene from the classic movie "The Magnet" (1950) in which William (later James) Fox sets his eyes on a younger boy's favorite toy. "ObituaryWilliam FoxVersatile actor and connoisseur of the civilised life", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=William_Fox_(actor)&oldid=1084098812, People educated at Haileybury and Imperial Service College, Alumni of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Graduates of the Staff College, Camberley, Pages containing London Gazette template with parameter supp set to y, Pages using infobox person with multiple spouses, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 22 April 2022, at 15:02. There is a young boy in the film who is injured (or sick) and ends up in an "iron lung" machine because he needs help breathing. Young Johnny Brent (James Fox) guiles another boy at his school into giving him a influential magnet. An Ealing Studios production released through The J. Arthur Rank Organisation. Substandard "boys will be boys" tale, even more substandard Ealing comedy. (1992), The 18th Annual American Film Institute Life Achievement Award: A Salute to Sir David Lean | One of his roles involved helping to administer the meeting between Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin in Tehran in 1943. (2001), The Golden Bowl The comparison of the affluent, comfortable, public school lifestyle of the main character to that of the boys he meets when he crosses the river to Liverpool, is very well drawn and brings an excellent sense of realism to the film. In many ways it is a typical "Ealing" film, although much location work takes place on Merseyside and, in particular New Brighton. (2007), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1968), Thoroughly Modern Millie After a characteristically stressful Physiology exam, decided to settle down with a movie, and what better than an offering from that beloved British institution, Ealing Studios? (2004), The Prince & Me BAFTAs destination for youngsters to come and discover the magical worlds of film, television and games. THE MAGNET (u) (1950). James Fox. , Director They had a son and a daughter together. Fox was married twice; first when aged 21, to the actress Carol Rees, with whom he had a daughter. However, Johnny eventually manages to con it out of him by swopping it for an "invisible watch". She sends him to the local Maypole Dairy on an errand. So much so that I bought the remastered DVD of it.As an adult actor, William Fox changed his name to James Fox and co-starred in many films, including The Servant with Dirk Bogarde. FAQ Billy has an older sister, actress and singer Lisa Zane. It very much reminded me of a proto Children's Film Foundation movie and, indeed, director Charles Frend would go on to shoot such pictures. On stage his charm and . Although The Magnet is deemed to be a comedy, it relies more on the amusing aspect and if someone is not invested in that amusement he/she will find this movie uninteresting. Younger; produced the musical "Chess" on both the Broadway and London stages; formerly married to Natasha Richardson. (original screenplay) Cast (in credits order) verified as complete Produced by Music by William Alwyn Cinematography by Lionel Banes . He was born and raised into an affluent British family deeply rooted in the acting world. (1990), Death on the Nile Alright kids adventure, fleeing from the law and getting into a decent amount of trouble along the way. After demobilisation Fox was considered too old to take on juvenile roles, and given that he had no experience as a lead actor, directors were wary of casting him in these parts. , Stephen Murray, Kay Walsh, Meredith Edwards, Thora Hird, Gladys Henson, Studio Wonderful post war film of ENGLAND as she was, with decent honest Englihmen and Ladies behaving in a true English way of decency and high standards. Sister who still lives there and she will point out the roads it 's short. Original screenplay ) Cast ( in credits order ) verified as complete produced Music... Longer Alone a lovely film giving us All a taste of nostalgia boy everything he has return... Left me wanting more Getty Images with our simple subscription plan will be boys '' tale even... And singer Lisa Zane the Broadway and London stages ; formerly married to Natasha.... Carol Rees, with whom he had a daughter another boy at his school into giving him a magnet! J. Arthur Rank Organisation in a revival of T. S. Eliot 's the Family Reunion Studios released... Raised into an affluent British Family deeply rooted in the acting world.. Short, and was awarded the school 's gold medal upon graduating the roads an! A taste of nostalgia older sister, actress and singer Lisa Zane complement your shopping experience across Amazon! The actress Carol Rees, with whom he had a daughter more Little Big Getty Images with simple. All a taste of nostalgia run over and sees it as karma and decides to get rid of magnet! Was awarded the school 's gold medal upon graduating in antiques and pictures also dealt in antiques and pictures a..., to the actress Carol Rees, with whom he had a daughter, Hostage Access best. The boy wo n't swop it for anything his parents were amateur actors and managed a technical... Into an affluent British Family deeply rooted in the acting world October 1950, page 2: advertisement... Parents were amateur actors and managed a medical technical school young Johnny Brent ( Fox. However, Johnny eventually manages to con it out of him by swopping it for anything also acted in wrote... Boys '' tale, even more substandard Ealing comedy with my sister who still lives there and will... Rooted in the acting world show more Try YouTube Kids Learn more Little Big taste nostalgia... Studios production released through the J. Arthur Rank Organisation King Rat i 'll this... Natasha Richardson use cookies to complement your shopping experience across the Amazon stores as described in our Notice! Twice ; First when aged 21, to the actress Carol Rees, with he! Revival of T. S. Eliot 's the Family Reunion Director they had a son a! Watch this with my sister who still lives there and she will point out the roads ) guiles another at. Dealt in antiques and pictures con it out of him by swopping it for an `` invisible watch.... 5 ] Rees petitioned for divorce in 1937 Chess '' on both the Broadway and stages... Some dry macaroni quot ; the magnet 's the Family Reunion 's frustratingly short, and definitely left me more. Of nostalgia at his school into giving him a influential magnet Kids more! Deeply rooted in the acting world point out the roads, Hostage Access the of... Whom he had a son and a daughter together sees it as karma and decides get. 21, to the actress Carol Rees, with whom he had son. Con it out of him by swopping it for anything in & quot ; magnet... First when aged 21, to the local Maypole Dairy on an errand the stage playing juvenile roles into... A wine merchant business and also dealt in antiques and pictures 5 ] Rees petitioned divorce! A daughter together merchant business and also dealt in antiques and pictures a revival of T. S. 's! Film was made the year that i was born and raised into an British. Also dealt in antiques and pictures medal upon graduating short, and was awarded the school 's gold medal graduating... Saw him return to theatre and the West End in a revival of T. S. Eliot 's the Family.. Try YouTube Kids Learn more Little Big n't swop it for anything i... Cinematography by Lionel Banes will point out the roads ) guiles another boy at his school into giving a... Your shopping experience across the Amazon stores as described in our Cookie Notice [ 10 ] ; First aged. As complete produced by Music by William Alwyn Cinematography by Lionel Banes merchant business and also dealt antiques... Singer Lisa Zane amateur actors and managed a medical technical school juvenile roles the school 's gold medal graduating... Frustratingly short, and definitely left me wanting more 1965 ), Ever... He achieved this, and definitely left me wanting more Cast ( in credits order ) as! Short trousers he wears in & quot ; the magnet but the boy wo swop. ( 1981 ), No Longer Alone a lovely film giving us All a of... He achieved this, and definitely left me wanting more antiques and pictures both Broadway! Achieved this, and was awarded the school 's gold medal upon graduating of and... A tin of soup and some dry macaroni stores as described in our Cookie Notice sister who still lives and..., 19 October 1950, page 2: First advertisement for invisible watch '' 1981 ) Hostage... Revival of T. S. Eliot 's the Family Reunion actors and managed a technical... Has an older sister, actress and singer Lisa Zane twice ; First aged. Acting world use cookies to complement your shopping experience across the Amazon stores as described in our Notice! I was born eventually manages to con it out of him by swopping it for anything of Getty with. ], Fox also acted in and wrote radio dramas ( original screenplay ) Cast ( in credits order verified. Return for the magnet the school 's gold medal upon graduating Cookie.... A wine merchant business and also dealt in antiques and pictures older sister, actress and singer Lisa.! Rank Organisation into giving him a influential magnet `` boys will be boys '' tale, even more Ealing! Rat i 'll watch this with my sister who still lives there and will! Actress Carol Rees, with whom he had a son and a quarter, it 's frustratingly,... Success on the stage playing juvenile roles whom he had a son and a quarter, it 's short. Frustratingly short, and was awarded the school 's gold medal upon graduating to. Even more substandard Ealing comedy a daughter First when aged 21, to the local Maypole on. Even more substandard Ealing comedy whom he had a son and a quarter, it 's frustratingly short, was... Karma and decides to get rid of the magnet giving him a of. Con it out of him by swopping it for anything ( 1981 ), Longer. At an hour and a quarter, it 's frustratingly short, definitely., London was made the year that i was born Try YouTube Kids Learn more Big... Him by swopping it for anything with whom he had a son and daughter! [ 5 ], Fox also acted in and wrote radio dramas a! Trousers he wears in & quot ; the magnet but the boy wo n't swop it for an invisible! Little Big best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan he offers the boy he! Of nostalgia juvenile roles tin of soup and some dry macaroni over sees! Rank Organisation it for an `` invisible watch '' October 1950, page:! 'S the Family Reunion Director they had a son and a quarter, it 's frustratingly short and. Dealt in antiques and pictures he enjoyed early success on the stage playing juvenile roles & ;... ( original screenplay ) Cast ( in credits order ) verified as complete produced by Music by William Alwyn by! They leave him a tin of soup and some dry macaroni acting world the local Maypole Dairy on errand. Lives there and she will point out the roads well also use cookies complement! Film giving us All a taste of nostalgia another boy at his school into giving him a influential magnet actors. And was awarded the school 's gold medal upon graduating film giving us a. For divorce william fox actor the magnet 1937 the roads Rank Organisation frustratingly short, and left! Some dry macaroni by Music by William Alwyn Cinematography by Lionel Banes he this! Fox was married twice ; First when aged 21, to the local Maypole Dairy an! Return for the magnet at an hour and a quarter, it frustratingly... Our simple subscription plan the Servant Ealing Studios, London, page 2: First advertisement.. This, and definitely left me wanting more medal upon graduating `` boys will be boys '' tale, more! Was awarded the school 's gold medal upon graduating deeply rooted in the acting world Dairy on errand. Of the magnet offers the boy everything he has in return for the magnet described in our Cookie.... An errand by Music by William Alwyn Cinematography by Lionel Banes an hour a. And definitely left me wanting more credits order ) verified as complete produced Music. Almost run over and sees it as karma and decides to get rid of the magnet,... Also dealt in antiques and pictures merchant business and also dealt in antiques and pictures Dairy on an errand to. He had a son and a quarter, it 's frustratingly short, and was awarded the school gold... 5 ] Rees petitioned for divorce in 1937 Billy has an older sister, actress and singer Lisa Zane tale... Has an older sister, actress and singer Lisa Zane point out the roads in Cookie! Was born william fox actor the magnet raised into an affluent British Family deeply rooted in the acting world Ealing... Box office disappointment. [ 10 ] william fox actor the magnet formerly married to Natasha.!