Max Varnel (21 March 1925 – 15 January 1996) was a French-born Australian
film
A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmospher ...
and
television director
A television director is in charge of the activities involved in making a television program or section of a program. They are generally responsible for decisions about the editorial content and creative style of a program, and ensuring the prod ...
who worked primarily in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and ...
and
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. With an area of , Australia is the largest country by ...
.
Biography
Born Max Le Bozec in
Paris
Paris () is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), making it the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2020. Si ...
, France, he was the son of the film director
Marcel Varnel
Marcel Varnel (16 October 1892 – 13 July 1947) was French film director, notably however for his career in the United States and England as a director of plays and films
Biography
He was born Marcel Hyacinthe le Bozec in Paris, France.
Va ...
. He began his career as an assistant director of ''
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) and continued in this rol for ''
The Card
''The Card'' is a comic novel written by Arnold Bennett in 1911 (entitled ''Denry the Audacious'' in the American edition). It was later made into a 1952 movie, starring Alec Guinness and Petula Clark.
Like much of Bennett's best work, it i ...
The Cockleshell Heroes
''The Cockleshell Heroes'' is a 1955 British Technicolor war film with Trevor Howard, Anthony Newley, Christopher Lee, David Lodge and José Ferrer, who also directed. The film depicts a heavily fictionalised version of Operation Frankton, the ...
'' (1955), among others. His directing credits encompass a long string of
B movie
A B movie or B film is a low-budget commercial motion picture. In its original usage, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the term more precisely identified films intended for distribution as the less-publicized bottom half of a double feature ...
s, including ''
Moment of Indiscretion
''Moment of Indiscretion'' is a low budget 1958 British crime film.
Plot
Janet Miller is accused of the murder of a stabbed woman. Janet's handkerchief and spare house key have been discovered at the crime scene, and she is cagey about her wher ...
Top Floor Girl
''Top Floor Girl'' is a 1959 British drama film directed by Max Varnel and starring Kay Callard, Neil Hallett and Robert Raikes. The screenplay was co-written by Brian Clemens.
Premise
A ruthlessly ambitious woman becomes involved with the son ...
'', ''
Web of Suspicion
''Web of Suspicion'' is a 1959 British crime film directed by Max Varnel and starring Philip Friend and Susan Beaumont. It was produced by the Danziger Brothers.The Child and the Killer'', and ''
Crash Drive
''Crash Drive'' is a 1959 British racing car film starring Dermot Walsh, which was produced by the Danziger Brothers.
Rolf Harris has a small role.
Plot
Paul Dixon is an international racing driver severely depressed after being paralysed from ...
'' (all 1959).
Varnel's television credits include ''The Vise'', '' The Cheaters'', '' Softly Softly'', and ''
The Troubleshooters
''The Troubleshooters'' (titled ''Mogul'' for the first series) is a British television series made by the BBC between 1965 and 1972, created by John Elliot. It recounted events in an international oil company – the "Mogul" of the title. Th ...
Glenview High
''Glenview High'' is an Australian television drama series produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation for the Seven Network between 1977 and 1978.
Story
English teacher Greg Walker (Grigor Taylor) transfers from the country to Glenview High, a to ...
'', ''
The Young Doctors
''The Young Doctors'' is an Australian early-evening soap opera originally broadcast on the Nine Network and produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation, it aired from Monday, 8 November 1976 until Wednesday, 30 March 1983.
The series is prima ...
'', and ''
Neighbours
''Neighbours'' is an Australian television soap opera, which has aired since 18 March 1985. It was created by television executive Reg Watson. The Seven Network commissioned the show following the success of Watson's earlier soap '' Sons an ...
'' in Australia, where he emigrated in the late 1960s.
Varnel died of a
heart attack
A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which ma ...
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 70.
Selected filmography
* ''
Enter Inspector Duval
''Enter Inspector Duval '' is a low budget 1961 British crime film directed by Max Varnel and starring Anton Diffring, Diane Hart and Mark Singleton (actor), Mark Singleton.
Plot
A French policeman, Inspector Duval, is brought to London to help h ...
Mrs. Gibbons' Boys
''Mrs. Gibbons' Boys'' is a play by Joseph Stein and Will Glickman. The comedy centers on the mother of three delinquent boys.
Produced and directed by George Abbott, the Broadway production opened at the Music Box Theatre on May 4, 1949 and cl ...