John Neil McCallum, (14 March 19183 February 2010) was an Australian theatre and film actor, highly successful in the United Kingdom. He was also a television producer.

Early life

McCallum's father, John Neil McCallum Sr., was a theatre owner and entrepreneur, who built and for many years ran the 2,000 seat

Cremorne Theatre The Cremorne Theatre was a theatre in South Brisbane (now part of South Bank), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia that operated, with interruptions, from 1911 to 1954. Although nothing remains of it today, the general location retains its cultural ...

on the banks of the

Brisbane River The Brisbane River is the longest river in South East Queensland, Australia, and flows through the city of Brisbane, before emptying into Moreton Bay on the Coral Sea. John Oxley, the first European to explore the river, named it after the ...

. After emigrating from Scotland, McCallum Snr. became an accomplished musician, and was soon heavily involved in Brisbane's entertainment scene. His mother was an accomplished amateur actress who was born in England. In 1918, McCallum Jr. was born in

Brisbane Brisbane ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Queensland, and the third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of approximately 2.6 million. Brisbane lies at the centre of the South ...

during the opening night of a comedy performance. After his birth, a family friend sent his father a wire: 'Congratulations on two howling successes'. McCallum was exposed to acting at a young age: his early childhood was full of backstage encounters at the Cremorne with the wide variety of performers who frequented his father's theatre. Although McCallum and his two younger brothers received their primary school education in the UK, the family returned to Australia once the

Great Depression The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...

started. His secondary education was at the

Anglican Church Grammar School The Anglican Church Grammar School (ACGS), formerly the Church of England Grammar School and commonly referred to as Churchie, is an independent, Anglican, day and boarding school for boys, located in East Brisbane, an inner suburb of Brisbane, Q ...

. His early theatrical training was with Barbara Sisely at the Brisbane Repertory Company.

Britain

He later did two years at

RADA The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA; ) is a drama school in London, England, that provides vocational conservatoire training for theatre, film, television, and radio. It is based in the Bloomsbury area of Central London, close to the S ...

in London under

Kenneth Barnes Sir Kenneth Ralph Barnes (11 September 1878 – 16 October 1957) was director of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, from 1909-55. Born at Heavitree, near Exeter, the youngest of six children of Rev. Reginald Henry Barnes ...

and his sisters Violet and Irene Vanburgh. From there he went into

repertory A repertory theatre is a theatre in which a resident company presents works from a specified repertoire, usually in alternation or rotation. United Kingdom Annie Horniman founded the first modern repertory theatre in Manchester after withdrawin ...

Tonbridge Tonbridge ( ) is a market town in Kent, England, on the River Medway, north of Royal Tunbridge Wells, south west of Maidstone and south east of London. In the administrative borough of Tonbridge and Malling, it had an estimated population ...

and

Northampton Northampton () is a market town and civil parish in the East Midlands of England, on the River Nene, north-west of London and south-east of Birmingham. The county town of Northamptonshire, Northampton is one of the largest towns in England ...

. In 1939 he did a season at

Stratford-upon-Avon Stratford-upon-Avon (), commonly known as just Stratford, is a market town and civil parish in the Stratford-on-Avon district, in the county of Warwickshire, in the West Midlands region of England. It is situated on the River Avon, north-we ...

playing small roles and understudying. From there he moved to similar roles at the

Old Vic Old or OLD may refer to: Places *Old, Baranya, Hungary *Old, Northamptonshire, England * Old Street station, a railway and tube station in London (station code OLD) *OLD, IATA code for Old Town Municipal Airport and Seaplane Base, Old Town, Ma ...

under

Harley Granville-Barker Harley Granville-Barker (25 November 1877 – 31 August 1946) was an English actor, director, playwright, manager, critic, and theorist. After early success as an actor in the plays of George Bernard Shaw, he increasingly turned to directi ...

in which he appeared in the historic 1939 production of ''

King Lear ''King Lear'' is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare. It is based on the mythological Leir of Britain. King Lear, in preparation for his old age, divides his power and land between two of his daughters. He becomes destitute and insane a ...

'' which featured

Jack Hawkins John Edward Hawkins, CBE (14 September 1910 – 18 July 1973) was an English actor who worked on stage and in film from the 1930s until the 1970s. One of the most popular British film stars of the 1950s, he was known for his portrayal of mil ...

with

Peggy Ashcroft Dame Edith Margaret Emily Ashcroft (22 December 1907 – 14 June 1991), known professionally as Peggy Ashcroft, was an English actress whose career spanned more than 60 years. Born to a comfortable middle-class family, Ashcroft was deter ...

Fay Compton Virginia Lilian Emmeline Compton-Mackenzie, (; 18 September 1894 – 12 December 1978), known professionally as Fay Compton, was an English actress. She appeared in several films, and made many broadcasts, but was best known for her stage per ...

and

Cathleen Nesbitt Cathleen Nesbitt (born Kathleen Mary Nesbitt; 24 November 18882 August 1982) was an English actress. Biography Born in Birkenhead, Cheshire,Before 1 April 1974 Birkenhead was in Cheshire England to Thomas and Mary Catherine (née Parry) Nesb ...

Second World War – Australia

McCallum returned to Australia shortly afterwards to join the

Second Australian Imperial Force The Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF, or Second AIF) was the name given to the volunteer expeditionary force of the Australian Army in the Second World War. It was formed following the declaration of war on Nazi Germany, with an initia ...

(2nd AIF) for the duration of

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

, in which he served in

New Guinea New Guinea (; Hiri Motu: ''Niu Gini''; id, Papua, or , historically ) is the world's second-largest island with an area of . Located in Oceania in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, the island is separated from Australia by the wide Torres ...

. After the war he joined the J. C. Williamson company for a while, working with

Gladys Moncrieff Gladys Moncrieff (13 April 1892 – 8 February 1976) was an Australian singer who was so successful in musical theatre and recordings that she became known as 'Australia's Queen of Song' and 'Our Glad'. Life and career Early years Moncrieff ...

in ''

The Maid of the Mountains ''The Maid of the Mountains'', called in its original score a musical play, is an operetta or "Edwardian" musical comedy in three acts. The music was by Harold Fraser-Simson, with additional music by James W. Tate, lyrics by Harry Graham and ...

''. He appeared in the Australian film ''

A Son is Born ''A Son Is Born'' is a 1946 Australian melodrama directed by Eric Porter (filmmaker), Eric Porter and starring Ron Randell, Peter Finch, and Muriel Steinbeck. Synopsis In 1920, Laurette marries an irresponsible drifter, Paul Graham. They have a ...

'' (1946) which also starred

Muriel Steinbeck Muriel Myee Steinbeck (21 July 1913 – 20 July 1982) was an Australian actress who worked extensively in radio, theatre, television and film. She is best known for her performance as the wife of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith in '' Smithy'' (1946) ...

and

Ron Randell Ron is a shortening of the name Ronald. Ron or RON may also refer to: Arts and media * Big Ron (''EastEnders''), a TV character * Ron (''King of Fighters''), a video game character *Ron Douglas, the protagonist in ''Lucky Stiff'' played by Joe ...

Return to Britain

Because there were limited theatrical choices in Australia, McCallum returned to Britain. He tested for a small part in '' The Root of All Evil'' (1947) and was given the second male lead. He was also in '' The Loves of Joanna Godden'' (1947) and '' It Always Rains on Sunday'' (1947). Both starred

Googie Withers Georgette Lizette Withers, CBE, AO (12 March 191715 July 2011), known professionally as Googie Withers, was an English entertainer who was a dancer and actress with a lengthy career spanning some nine decades in theatre, film, and television. ...

, whom McCallum married in 1948. McCallum then made '' The Calendar'' (1948); '' Miranda'' (1948), a popular comedy with

Glynis Johns Glynis Margaret Payne Johns (born 5 October 1923) is a South African-born British former actress, dancer, musician and singer. Recognised as a film and Broadway icon, Johns has a career spanning eight decades, in which she appeared in more than ...

and Withers; ''

A Boy, a Girl and a Bike ''A Boy, a Girl and a Bike'' is a 1949 British romantic comedy film directed by Ralph Smart and starring John McCallum, Honor Blackman and Patrick Holt. The film's art direction was by George Provis. The film concerns the romantic escapades an ...

'' (1948), directed by fellow Australian

Ralph Smart Ralph Foster Smart (27 August 1908 – 12 February 2001) was a film and television producer, director, and writer, born in England to Australian parents. Biography Smart found work in Britain with Anthony Asquith and later alongside the film dir ...

; ''

The Woman in Question ''The Woman in Question'' (released in the United States as ''Five Angles on Murder'') is a 1950 British Murder-mystery film directed by Anthony Asquith and starring Jean Kent, Dirk Bogarde and John McCallum. After a woman is murdered, the com ...

'' (1950) with

Jean Kent Jean Kent (born Joan Mildred Field; 29 June 1921 − 30 November 2013) was an English film and television actress. Biography Born Joan Mildred Field (sometimes incorrectly cited as Summerfield) in Brixton, London in 1921, the only child of va ...

and

Dirk Bogarde Sir Dirk Bogarde (born Derek Jules Gaspard Ulric Niven van den Bogaerde; 28 March 1921 – 8 May 1999) was an English actor, novelist and screenwriter. Initially a matinée idol in films such as '' Doctor in the House'' (1954) for the Rank Org ...

; ''

Frank Launder Frank Launder (28 January 1906 – 23 February 1997) was a British writer, film director and producer, who made more than 40 films, many of them in collaboration with Sidney Gilliat. Early life and career He was born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire ...

; ''

The Magic Box ''The Magic Box'' is a 1951 British Technicolor biographical drama film directed by John Boulting. The film stars Robert Donat as William Friese-Greene, with numerous cameo appearances by performers such as Peter Ustinov and Laurence Olivier. ...

'' (1951), one of many cameos; '' The Long Memory'' (1952) with John Mills. He did two for

Herbert Wilcox Herbert Sydney Wilcox CBE (19 April 1890 – 15 May 1977) was a British film producer and director. He was one of the most successful British filmmakers from the 1920s to the 1950s. He is best known for the films he made with his third wif ...

, '' Trent's Last Case'' (1952) with

Margaret Lockwood Margaret Mary Day Lockwood, CBE (15 September 1916 – 15 July 1990), was an English actress. One of Britain's most popular film stars of the 1930s and 1940s, her film appearances included ''The Lady Vanishes'' (1938), ''Night Train to Munich' ...

and '' Derby Day'' (1952) with

Anna Neagle Dame Florence Marjorie Wilcox (''née'' Robertson; 20 October 1904 – 3 June 1986), known professionally as Anna Neagle, was an English stage and film actress, singer, and dancer. She was a successful box-office draw in the British cinema ...

and Withers. McCallum was in the biopic '' Melba'' (1953), then made ''

Trouble in the Glen ''Trouble in the Glen'' is a 1954 British comedy film directed by Herbert Wilcox and starring Margaret Lockwood, Orson Welles, Forrest Tucker and Victor McLaglen. It is loosely based on Maurice Walsh's 1950 novel of the same name. It was filmed i ...

'' (1954) for Wilcox. He and Withers teamed for ''

Devil on Horseback ''Devil on Horseback'' is a 1954 British sports drama film directed by Cyril Frankel and starring Googie Withers, John McCallum and Jeremy Spenser. Its plot involves a boy who pursues his ambition to be a jockey. The screenplay was by Scotti ...

'' (1954) and ''

Port of Escape ''Port of Escape'' is a 1956 British thriller film directed by Tony Young and starring Googie Withers, John McCallum, Bill Kerr and Joan Hickson. Plot Two sailors, one Australian and one American, are kicked off their ship when it docks in Lo ...

'' (1956). He returned to Australia to play a role in ''

Smiley A smiley, sometimes referred to as a smiley face, is a basic ideogram that represents a smiling face. Since the 1950s it has become part of popular culture worldwide, used either as a standalone ideogram, or as a form of communication, such a ...

'' (1956). He appeared with Withers on the West End stage in the play ''

Waiting for Gillian ''Waiting for Gillian'' is a 1954 play by the British writer Ronald Millar. It is based on the 1951 novel '' A Way Through the Wood'' by Nigel Balchin. It was first staged at the Manchester Opera House before transferring to St James's Theatre i ...

'' by

Ronald Millar Sir Ronald Graeme Millar (12 November 1919 – 16 April 1998) was an English actor, scriptwriter, and dramatist. Life and career After attending Charterhouse School, Millar studied at King's College, Cambridge for a year before joining the ...

J.C. Williamson

McCallum and his wife Googie Withers made their home in Australia from 1958 when McCallum became joint managing director of J.C. Williamson's alongside Sir Frank Tait. McCallum was keen to encourage the casting of talented Australians in leading roles and was instrumental in beginning the starring careers of Kevin Colson,

Jill Perryman Jill Perryman AM, MBE (born 30 May 1933) is an Australian former stage and screen actress and singer. Combining both her stage acting and her singing, she featured in numerous musical theatre roles, over eight decades and spanning 70 years of p ...

, Nancye Hayes, Barbara Angell and others.

Producer

McCallum went into producing in association with Lee Robinson. They made '' Skippy the Bush Kangaroo'' (1966–70) which was a huge success, although a feature film based on it, '' The Intruders'' (1969) was not. McCallum and Robinson went on to produce the series ''

Barrier Reef A coral reef is an underwater ecosystem characterized by reef-building corals. Reefs are formed of colonies of coral polyps held together by calcium carbonate. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, whose polyps cluster in groups. ...

'' (1971–72), '' Boney'' (1972–73), ''

Shannon's Mob ''Shannon's Mob'' is an Australian TV series about an Australian intelligence agency. It was the last TV series from Fauna Productions, who were responsible for '' Skippy the Bush Kangaroo'' among others. Synopsis FIASCO (The Federal Intelligenc ...

'' (1976), and ''

Bailey's Bird ''Bailey's Bird'' is an Australian TV series which was filmed in Asia. It was about a pilot and his son operating a charter operation in South East Asia.Nickel Queen ''Nickel Queen'' is a 1971 Australian comedy film starring Googie Withers and directed by her husband John McCallum. The story was loosely based on the Poseidon bubble, a nickel boom in Western Australia in the late 1960s, and tells of an outba ...

'' (1971) which starred Withers. He and Robinson went into film production with ''

Attack Force Z ''Attack Force Z'' (alternatively titled ''The Z Men'') is a 1982 Australian-Taiwanese World War II film directed by Tim Burstall. It is loosely based on actual events and was filmed in Taiwan in 1979. It was screened at the Cannes Film Festiv ...

'' (1981) and '' The Highest Honour'' (1983). McCallum continued to act during his career as a producer, on his own shows and for others. He frequently appeared on stage. A particular favourite role was in ''The Circle'' by

W. Somerset Maugham William Somerset Maugham ( ; 25 January 1874 – 16 December 1965) was an English writer, known for his plays, novels and short stories. Born in Paris, where he spent his first ten years, Maugham was schooled in England and went to a German un ...

. In this production he acted alongside Googie Withers in the U.K. as well as in Australia.

Honours

His contribution to the Australian performing arts was considerable and, in 1971, he was made a Commander of the

Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established ...

(CBE). In 1992, he was made an Officer of the

Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Go ...

(AO). Both honours were made for services to drama and theatre. McCallum was a JC Williamson Award recipient for lifetime achievement in 1999. In 1992 Googie Withers and John McCallum were founding patrons and active supporters of the

Tait Memorial Trust The Tait Memorial Trust MTis a charitable foundation, first established in the United Kingdom, with the chief purpose of providing financial support to outstanding young performing artists from Australia and New Zealand who wish to pursue post-gr ...

in London. A Charity established by Isla Baring, the daughter of Sir Frank Tait of J.C. Williamson's to support young Australian performing artists in the UK.

Death

John McCallum died in

Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mounta ...

at the age of 91. He had been suffering from

leukaemia Leukemia ( also spelled leukaemia and pronounced ) is a group of blood cancers that usually begin in the bone marrow and result in high numbers of abnormal blood cells. These blood cells are not fully developed and are called ''blasts'' or ...

Selected filmography

As actor

* ''

Heritage Heritage may refer to: History and society * A heritage asset is a preexisting thing of value today ** Cultural heritage is created by humans ** Natural heritage is not * Heritage language Biology * Heredity, biological inheritance of physical c ...

'' (1935) – minor role (uncredited) * ''

'' (1946) – John Seldon * '' The Root of All Evil'' (1947) – Joe Bartle * '' The Loves of Joanna Godden'' (1947) – Arthur Alce * ''

Bush Christmas ''Bush Christmas'' (also known as ''Prince and the Great Race'') is a 1983 Australian Christmas drama film and a remake of a 1947 film of the same name, which was based on a novel by Ralph Smart and Mary Cathcart Borer. The film marked actress ...

'' (1947) – narrator (voice) * '' It Always Rains on Sunday'' (1947) – Tommy Swann * '' Miranda'' (1948) – Nigel Hood * '' The Calendar'' (1948) – Capt. Garry Anson * ''

'' (1949) – David Howarth * ''

'' (1950) – Michael Murray * ''Traveller's Joy'' (1950) – Reggie Pelham * ''

'' (1951) – Sitter in Bath Studio * ''

Valley of Eagles ''Valley of Eagles'' (US release title ''Valley of the Eagles'') is a 1951 British thriller film written and directed by Terence Young and starring Jack Warner, Nadia Gray and John McCallum.Lady Godiva Rides Again'' (1951) – Larry Burns * '' Derby Day'' (1952) – Tommy Dillon * '' Trent's Last Case'' (1952) – John Marlowe * '' The Long Memory'' (1953) – Supt. Bob Lowther * '' Melba'' (1953) – Charles Armstrong * ''

'' (1954) – Charles Roberts * ''

'' (1954) – Malcolm MacFarr * '' Three in One'' (1955) – Introductions * ''

'' (1956) – Mitch Gillis * ''

'' (1956) – Jim Rankin

As producer

* ''

Bailey's Bird ''Bailey's Bird'' is an Australian TV series which was filmed in Asia. It was about a pilot and his son operating a charter operation in South East Asia.1918 births 2010 deaths Australian male film actors Australian male stage actors Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Helpmann Award winners Male actors from Brisbane Officers of the Order of Australia Australian people of Scottish descent Alumni of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art Australian Army personnel of World War II People educated at Anglican Church Grammar School Australian film studio executives