Harold Huth (20 January 1892 – 26 October 1967) was a British actor,

film director A film director or filmmaker is a person who controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the film crew and actors in the fulfillment of that Goal, vision. The director has a key role ...

and producer.

Biography

Early life

He was born in

Huddersfield Huddersfield is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees in West Yorkshire, England. It is the administrative centre and largest settlement in the Kirklees district. The town is in the foothills of the Pennines. The River Holme's confl ...

Yorkshire Yorkshire ( ) is an area of Northern England which was History of Yorkshire, historically a county. Despite no longer being used for administration, Yorkshire retains a strong regional identity. The county was named after its county town, the ...

, in 1892. He was a nephew of Eva Moore and a cousin of the actor

Roland Pertwee Roland Pertwee (15 May 1885 – 26 April 1963) was an English playwright, film and television screenwriter, director and actor. He was the father of ''Doctor Who'' actor Jon Pertwee and playwright and screenwriter Michael Pertwee. He was al ...

. For the first eighteen years of his professional life, Huth worked in the motor business.

Family

Huth married Bridget Nickols and they had two daughters, Angela and Patricia.

Actor

Huth made his screen debut as an actor in the 1927 film '' One of the Best'', directed by

T. Hayes Hunter Thomas Hayes Hunter (December 1, 1884 – April 14, 1944) was an American film director and Film producer, producer of the silent film, silent era. He directed a total of 34 films between 1912 and 1934. Early career Hayes was born on Decemb ...

Gainsborough Pictures Gainsborough Pictures was a British film studio based on the south bank of the Regent's Canal, in Poole Street, Hoxton in the former Metropolitan Borough of Shoreditch, east London. Gainsborough Studios was active between 1924 and 1951. The co ...

. He got the role in part due to the connections of Pertwee. Huth followed it up with the role of Captain Nolan in the film '' Balaclava'' about the

Charge of the Light Brigade The Charge of the Light Brigade was a military action undertaken by British light cavalry against Russian forces during the Battle of Balaclava in the Crimean War, resulting in many casualties to the cavalry. On 25 October 1854, the Light Br ...

. Huth went on to have roles in '' A South Sea Bubble'' (1928) with

Ivor Novello Ivor Novello (born David Ivor Davies; 15 January 1893 – 6 March 1951) was a Welsh actor, dramatist, singer and composer who became one of the most popular British entertainers of the first half of the 20th century. He was born into a musical ...

, directed by Hunter; ''

The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel ''The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel'', first published in 1922, is a book in the series about the Scarlet Pimpernel ''The Scarlet Pimpernel'' is the first novel in a series of historical fiction by Baroness Orczy, published in 1905. It ...

'' (1928) with Matheson Lang, playing

Louis Antoine de Saint-Just Louis Antoine Léon de Saint-Just (; 25 August 176710 Thermidor, Year II 8 July 1794, sometimes nicknamed the Archangel of Terror, was a French revolutionary, political philosopher, member and president of the National Convention, French ...

; and '' The Silver King'' (1929), directed by Hunter, with Percy Marmont and

Chili Bouchier Chili Bouchier (born Dorothy Irene Boucher; 12 September 1909 – 9 September 1999) was an English film actress who achieved success during the silent film era, and went on to many screen appearances with the advent of sound films, before progre ...

. Huth made his stage acting debut aged 36 on stage in ''The Truth Game'' with

Raymond Massey Raymond Hart Massey (August 30, 1896 – July 29, 1983) was a Canadian actor known for his commanding stage-trained voice. For his lead role in '' Abe Lincoln in Illinois'' (1940), Massey was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor. He r ...

then cast him opposite

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 ...

in ''

Dishonored Lady ''Dishonored Lady'' (also known as ''Sins of Madeleine'') is a 1947 American film noir crime film directed by Robert Stevenson and starring Hedy Lamarr, Dennis O'Keefe and John Loder. It is based on the 1930 play ''Dishonored Lady'' by Edward ...

''. Huth had the male lead in '' Downstream'' (1929) opposite

, directed by Giuseppe Guarino. Huth made a third film with Bouchier, '' City of Play'' (1929). Huth had roles in '' Leave It to Me'' (1930); '' An Obvious Situation'' (1930), directed by Guarino; ''

Guilt Guilt most commonly refers to: *Guilt (emotion), an emotion that occurs when a person feels that they have violated a moral standard *Culpability, a legal term *Guilt (law), a legal term Music * ''Guilt'' (album), a 2009 album by Mims * "Guilt" ( ...

'' (1931), directed by Reginald Fogwell; and ''

Bracelets A bracelet is an article of jewellery that is worn around the wrist. Bracelets may serve different uses, such as being worn as an ornament. When worn as ornaments, bracelets may have a supportive function to hold other items of decoration, ...

'' (1931). Huth starred in ''The Outsider'' (1930) on stage.

Edgar Wallace Richard Horatio Edgar Wallace (1 April 1875 – 10 February 1932) was a British writer of crime and adventure fiction. Born into poverty as an illegitimate London child, Wallace left school at the age of 12. He joined the army at age 21 and was ...

wrote the play ''

Smoky Cell ''Smoky Cell'' is a thriller play by the British writer Edgar Wallace first staged in 1930. In America a group of detectives hunt down a notorious racketeer. It ran for 103 performances at Wyndham's Theatre in the West End from 16 December 193 ...

'' (1931) for Huth. He had the lead in '' The Outsider'' (1931), alongside Joan Barry, receiving much acclaim. He had a key support part in '' Down River'' (1931) with

Charles Laughton Charles Laughton (; 1 July 1899 – 15 December 1962) was a British and American actor. He was trained in London at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and first appeared professionally on the stage in 1926. In 1927, he was cast in a play wi ...

. Huth's first screenplay credit was in '' Madame Guillotine'' (1931), starring

Madeleine Carroll Marie-Madeleine Bernadette O'Carroll (26 February 1906 – 2 October 1987) was an English actress, popular both in Britain and in America in the 1930s and 1940s. At the peak of her success in 1938, she was the world's highest-paid actress. Ca ...

, and directed by Fogwell. Huth acted in ''

A Honeymoon Adventure ''A Honeymoon Adventure'' is a 1931 British thriller film directed by Maurice Elvey and starring Benita Hume, Peter Hannen and Harold Huth. Written in collaboration by Rupert Downing and Basil Dean, it The film was shot at Beaconsfield Studi ...

'' (1931); ''

Adventure An adventure is an exciting experience or undertaking that is typically bold, sometimes risky. Adventures may be activities with danger such as traveling, exploring, skydiving, mountain climbing, scuba diving, river rafting, or other extreme spo ...

'' (1931); '' Aren't We All?'' (1932) with

Gertrude Lawrence Gertrude Lawrence (4 July 1898 – 6 September 1952) was an English actress, singer, dancer and musical comedy performer known for her stage appearances in the West End of London and on Broadway in New York. Early life Lawrence was born in 1 ...

; and '' The First Mrs. Fraser'' (1932). He had the lead in '' The Flying Squad'' (1932); '' Sally Bishop'' (1932), directed by Hunter; and ''

The World, the Flesh, the Devil ''The World, the Flesh, the Devil'' is a 1932 British crime film directed by George A. Cooper and starring Harold Huth, Isla Bevan and Victor Stanley. It was based on a play by Laurence Cowen. It was shot at Beaconsfield and Twickenham Stu ...

'' (1932). Huth had support parts in '' Rome Express'' (1932); ''

Discord Discord is an instant messaging and Voice over IP, VoIP social platform which allows communication through Voice over IP, voice calls, Videotelephony, video calls, text messaging, and digital media, media. Communication can be private or take ...

'' (1932); '' My Lucky Star'' (1933), with

Florence Desmond Florence Dawson (31 May 1905 – 16 January 1993), better known by her stage name Florence Desmond, was an English actress, comedian and impersonator. Biography Early life Born in London in 1905, Desmond was educated at the Dame Alice Owe ...

; '' The Ghoul'' (1933), with

Boris Karloff William Henry Pratt (23 November 1887 – 2 February 1969), known professionally as Boris Karloff () and occasionally billed as Karloff the Uncanny, was a British actor. His portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in the horror film ''Frankenstei ...

and directed by Hunter; and '' The Camels Are Coming'' (1934) with

Jack Hulbert John Norman Hulbert (24 April 189225 March 1978) was a British actor, director, screenwriter and singer, specializing primarily in comedy productions, and often working alongside his wife (Dame) Cicely Courtneidge. Biography Born in Ely, C ...

. Huth quit acting to become head of casting for Gaumont British. He returned to acting briefly with a small role in '' Take My Tip'' (1937) with Hulbert.

Director and Producer

Huth directed his first film, '' Hell's Cargo'' (1939), for

Associated British Picture Corporation Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC), originally British International Pictures (BIP), was a British film production, distribution and exhibition company active from 1927 until 1970 when it was absorbed into EMI. ABPC also owned appr ...

. He followed it with '' Bulldog Sees It Through'' (1940) starring

Jack Buchanan Walter John Buchanan (2 April 1890 – 20 October 1957) was a Scottish theatre and film actor, singer, dancer, producer and director. He was known for three decades as the embodiment of the debonair man-about-town in the tradition of George Gr ...

, and '' East of Piccadilly'' (1941). Huth also moved into producing with ''

Busman's Honeymoon ''Busman's Honeymoon'' is a 1937 novel by Dorothy L. Sayers, her eleventh and last featuring Lord Peter Wimsey, and her fourth and last to feature Harriet Vane. Plot introduction Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane marry and go to spend the ...

'' (1940), shot in Britain for

MGM Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, commonly shortened to MGM or MGM Studios) is an American Film production, film and television production and film distribution, distribution company headquartered ...

starring Robert Montgomery. He worked as producer on '' "Pimpernel" Smith'' (1941) for

Leslie Howard Leslie Howard Steiner (3 April 18931 June 1943) was an English actor, director, producer and writer.Obituary, '' Variety'', 9 June 1943. He wrote many stories and articles for ''The New York Times'', ''The New Yorker'', and '' Vanity Fair'' an ...

and over at British Mercury he co-directed ''

Breach of Promise Breach of promise is a common-law tort, abolished in many jurisdictions. It was also called breach of contract to marry,N.Y. Civil Rights Act article 8, §§ 80-A to 84. and the remedy awarded was known as heart balm. From at least the Middle ...

'' (1942). Huth returned to acting in '' This Was Paris'' (1942) and MGM got him to produce another in England, '' The Adventures of Tartu'' (1943).

Gainsborough Pictures

Huth joined

, for whom he produced a melodrama, '' Love Story'' (1944), with

Margaret Lockwood Margaret Mary Day Lockwood, CBE (15 September 1916 – 15 July 1990), was a British 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 ...

Stewart Granger Stewart Granger (born James Lablache Stewart; 6 May 1913 – 16 August 1993) was a British film actor, mainly associated with heroic and romantic leading roles. He was a popular leading man from the 1940s to the early 1960s, rising to fame thr ...

and Patricia Roc; it was a huge commercial success. Also popular were ''

They Were Sisters ''They Were Sisters'' is a 1945 British melodrama film directed by Arthur Crabtree for Gainsborough Pictures and starring Phyllis Calvert and James Mason. The film was produced by Harold Huth, with cinematography from Jack Cox and screenpla ...

'' (1945), with

James Mason James Neville Mason (; 15 May 190927 July 1984) was an English actor. He achieved considerable success in British cinema before becoming a star in Hollywood. He was nominated for three Academy Awards, three Golden Globes (winning once) and two ...

and ''

Caravan Caravan or caravans may refer to: Transport and travel *Campervan, a type of vehicle also known as a motor caravan *Caravan (travellers), a group of travellers journeying together **Caravanserai, a place where a caravan could stop *Caravan (trail ...

'' (1946) with Granger. Huth's last film for Gainsborough as producer, ''

The Root of All Evil Root of all evil or Root of evil may refer to: Music * ''The Root of All Evil'' (album), a 2009 album by Swedish death metal band Arch Enemy * ''The Root of All Evil'' (EP), Japanese work by all-female tribute band Iron Maidens * "The Root of ...

'' (1947), with

Phyllis Calvert Phyllis Hannah Murray-Hill (née Bickle; 18 February 1915 – 8 October 2002), known professionally as Phyllis Calvert, was an English film, stage and television actress. She was one of the leading stars of the Gainsborough melodramas of the 1 ...

, was less successful.

Independent producer

Huth's success at Gainsborough saw him receive an offer to set up his own company, Harold Huth Productions with John Corfield. He produced '' The White Unicorn'' (1947) with fellow Gainsborough alumni Lockwood and

Bernard Knowles Bernard Knowles (20 February 1900 – 12 February 1975) was an English film director, producer, cinematographer and screenwriter. Born in Manchester, Knowles worked with Alfred Hitchcock on numerous occasions before the director emigrated to H ...

and produced and directed '' Nightbeat'' (1947). Huth and Corfeld then helped set up Burnham Productions where Huth produced and directed'' My Sister and I'' (1948), with

Sally Ann Howes Sally Ann Howes (20 July 1930 – 19 December 2021) was an English actress and singer. Her career on screen, stage and television spanned six decades. She is best known for the role of Truly Scrumptious in the 1968 musical film ''Chitty Chitt ...

, and '' Look Before You Love'' (1948) with

Later career

Huth produced '' Blackmailed'' (1951), directed by

Marc Allégret Marc Allégret (22 December 1900 – 3 November 1973) was a French screenwriter, photographer and film director. Biography Born in Basel, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland, he was the elder brother of Yves Allégret. Marc was educated to be a lawyer in ...

, in which he also had a small role. He also appeared in '' Sing Along with Me'' (1952). Huth directed for television, notably ''

Douglas Fairbanks Presents ''Douglas Fairbanks Presents'' is a 1953–1956 syndicated half-hour dramatic anthology series. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was the host, and he sometimes starred in episodes. It was also known as ''Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Presents''. A total of 157 epi ...

'' (1953–57). He and Fairbanks produced ''

Police Dog A police dog, also known as a K-9 (phonemic abbreviation of canine), is a dog that is trained to assist police and other law enforcement officers. Their duties may include searching for drugs and explosives, locating missing people, findin ...

'' (1955) and '' The Hostage'' (1956); Huth directed the latter. Huth went to work as an associate producer at

Warwick Films Warwick Films was a film company founded by film producers Irving Allen and Albert R. Broccoli in London in 1951. The name was taken from the Warwick New York Hotel, Warwick Hotel in New York City where Broccoli and his wife were staying at the ...

for

Irwin Allen Irwin Allen (born Irwin O. Cohen; June 12, 1916 – November 2, 1991) was an American film and television producer and director, known for his work in science fiction, then later as the "Master of Disaster" for his work in the disaster film genr ...

and

Albert Broccoli Albert Romolo Broccoli ( ; April 5, 1909 – June 27, 1996), nicknamed "Cubby", was an American film producer who made more than 40 motion pictures throughout his career. Most of the films were made in the United Kingdom and often filmed at Pi ...

, helping make '' The Man Inside'' (1958), ''

Idol on Parade ''Idol on Parade'' (also known as ''Idle on Parade'') is a 1959 British comedy film directed by John Gilling and starring William Bendix, Anthony Newley, Sid James and Lionel Jeffries. The screenplay was by John Antrobus, based on the 1958 Willi ...

'' (1959), '' The Bandit of Zhobe'' (1959), ''

Jazz Boat ''Jazz Boat'' is a 1960 British black-and-white musical comedy film directed by Ken Hughes and starring Anthony Newley, Anne Aubrey, Lionel Jeffries and big band leader Ted Heath and his orchestra. It was written by John Antrobus and Hughes ...

'' (1960), ''

The Trials of Oscar Wilde ''The Trials of Oscar Wilde'', also known as ''The Man with the Green Carnation'' and ''The Green Carnation'', is a 1960 British drama film based on the libel and subsequent criminal cases involving Oscar Wilde and the Marquess of Queensberry. I ...

'' (1960) and ''

In the Nick ''In the Nick'' is a 1960 British comedy film directed by Ken Hughes and starring Anthony Newley, Anne Aubrey, Bernie Winters, James Booth and Harry Andrews. It was written by Hughes based on a story by Frank Norman. A gang of incompetent cri ...

'' (1961). He was credited as a writer on '' The Hellions'' (1961). He retired in 1961. He and

Peter Finch Frederick George Peter Ingle Finch (28 September 191614 January 1977) was an English-Australian actor of theatre, film and radio. Born in London, he emigrated to Australia at the age of ten and was raised in Sydney, where he worked in vaudevi ...

did discuss making a film about

Oliver Cromwell Oliver Cromwell (25 April 15993 September 1658) was an English statesman, politician and soldier, widely regarded as one of the most important figures in British history. He came to prominence during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, initially ...

but it was not made. Huth died in 1967 in London."In the Picture" ''Sight and Sound''; London Vol. 37, Iss. 1, (Winter 1967): 17.

Selected filmography

Actor

* '' One of the Best'' (1927) - Adjutant * '' Balaclava'' (1928) - Capt. Nolan, Adjutant * '' A South Sea Bubble'' (1928) - Pirate * ''

'' (1928) - St. Just * '' Sir or Madam'' (1928) * '' The Silver King'' (1929) - Geoffrey Ware * '' Downstream'' (1929) - Peter Carras * '' City of Play'' (1929) - Arezzi * '' Leave It to Me'' (1930, Short) - Slade * '' An Obvious Situation'' (1930) - Gustave * ''

'' (1931) - Tony Carleton * ''

'' (1931) - Maurice Dupont * '' The Outsider'' (1931) - Anton Ragatzy * '' Down River'' (1931) - John Durham * ''

'' (1931) - Walter Creason * ''Adventure'' (1931) * '' Aren't We All?'' (1932) - Karl Van der Hyde * '' The First Mrs. Fraser'' (1932) - Mario * '' The Flying Squad'' (1932) - Mark McGill * '' Sally Bishop'' (1932) - John Traill * '' Rome Express'' (1932) - George Grant * ''

'' (1932) - Nicholas Brophy * ''

'' (1933) - Lord Quilhampton * '' My Lucky Star'' (1933) - Hero * '' The Ghoul'' (1933) - Aga Ben Dragore * '' The Camels Are Coming'' (1934) - Dr. Zhiga * '' Take My Tip'' (1937) - Buchan * '' This Was Paris'' (1942) - Count Raul De La Vague * '' Blackmailed'' (1951) - Hugh Sainsbury * '' Sing Along with Me'' (1952) - (final film role)

Director

* '' Hell's Cargo'' (1939) * '' Bulldog Sees It Through'' (1940) * '' East of Piccadilly'' (1941) * ''

'' (1942) * ''

'' (1945) * '' Night Beat'' (1947) * '' My Sister and I'' (1948) * '' Look Before You Love'' (1948) * '' The Hostage'' (1956)

Producer

* ''

'' (1940) * '' "Pimpernel" Smith'' (1941) * '' The Adventures of Tartu'' (1943) * '' Love Story'' (1944) * ''

'' (1945) * ''

'' (1946) * ''

'' (1947) * '' The White Unicorn'' (1947) * '' Night Beat'' (1947) * '' My Sister and I'' (1948) * '' Look Before You Love'' (1948) * '' Blackmailed'' (1951) * ''

'' (1955) * '' The Man Inside'' (1958) * ''

'' (1959) * '' The Bandit of Zhobe'' (1959) * ''

'' (1960) * ''

'' (1960) * '' The Hellions'' (1961)

Screenwriter

* '' Madame Guillotine'' (1931) * '' The Hellions'' (1961)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Huth, Harold English male film actors English male silent film actors English film producers English film directors 1892 births 1967 deaths Male actors from Huddersfield 20th-century English male actors 20th-century English businesspeople