Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 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. He was born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England and worked briefly as a clerk before becoming an actor and then a playwright. He began working as a screenwriter on British films in the 1930s, contributing the original story for the classic Will Hay comedy Oh, Mr Porter! (1937). After writing a number of screenplays with Gilliat, including The Lady Vanishes (1938) for Alfred Hitchcock, and Night Train to Munich for Carol Reed; the two men wrote and directed the wartime drama Millions Like Us (1943). After founding their own production company Individual Pictures, they produced a number of memorable dramas and thrillers including I See a Dark Stranger (1945) and Green for Danger (1946), but were best known for their comedies including The Happiest Days of Your Life (1950) and most famously, the St Trinians series, based on Ronald Searle's cartoons set in an anarchic girls school. He was married to actress Bernadette O'Farrell from 1950 until his death in Monaco. The couple had two children.
Wrote 46
1960s
- 1966
The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery
Writer
- 1965
- 1964
Ring of Spies
Writer
- 1960
The Pure Hell of St Trinian's
Writer
1950s
- 1959
The Bridal Path
Screenplay
- 1957
Blue Murder at St. Trinian's
Writer
Fortune Is a Woman
Screenplay
- 1956
The Green Man
Theatre Play, Screenplay
- 1955
Geordie
Screenplay
- 1954
The Belles of St Trinian's
Screenplay
- 1952
Folly to Be Wise
Screenplay
- 1951
Lady Godiva Rides Again
Writer
- 1950
The Happiest Days of Your Life
Screenplay
1940s
- 1949
- 1947
Captain Boycott
Writer
- 1946
I See a Dark Stranger
Screenplay, Story
- 1945
The Rake's Progress
Screenplay
- 1944
Two Thousand Women
Screenplay
Soldier, Sailor
Screenplay
- 1943
Millions Like Us
Screenplay
- 1942
The Young Mr. Pitt
Screenplay
- 1941
Kipps
Screenplay
Inspector Hornleigh Goes to It
Writer
- 1940
Crook's Tour
Characters
1930s
- 1939
Inspector Hornleigh on Holiday
Writer
A Girl Must Live
Writer
- 1938
- 1937
Oh, Mr. Porter!
Original Story
- 1936
Seven Sinners
Writer
- 1935
So You Won't Talk
Screenplay, Dialogue
Emil and the Detectives
Scenario Writer
- 1934
A Southern Maid
Writer
- 1933
Facing the Music
Screenplay
Happy
Writer
Hawleys of High Street
Writer
- 1932
For the Love of Mike
Writer
Josser in the Army
Writer
- 1931
Hobson's Choice
Writer
How He Lied to Her Husband
Scenario Writer
- 1930
Children of Chance
Writer
Song of Soho
Writer
The W Plan
Writer
1920s
- 1929
Under the Greenwood Tree
Scenario Writer, Dialogue
Produced 19
1970s
- 1972
Ooh...You Are Awful
Executive Producer
Endless Night
Executive Producer
1960s
- 1960
The Pure Hell of St Trinian's
Producer
1950s
- 1959
Left Right and Centre
Producer
- 1957
Blue Murder at St. Trinian's
Producer
Fortune Is a Woman
Producer
- 1956
The Green Man
Producer
- 1955
Geordie
Producer
The Constant Husband
Producer
- 1954
The Belles of St Trinian's
Producer
- 1952
Folly to Be Wise
Producer
- 1950
The Happiest Days of Your Life
Producer
1940s
- 1949
- 1948
London Belongs to Me
Producer
- 1947
Captain Boycott
Producer
- 1946
Green for Danger
Producer
I See a Dark Stranger
Producer
- 1945
The Rake's Progress
Producer
Directed 16
1980s
- 1980
The Wildcats of St Trinian's
Director
1960s
- 1966
The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery
Director
- 1965
- 1960
The Pure Hell of St Trinian's
Director
1950s
- 1959
The Bridal Path
Director
- 1957
Blue Murder at St. Trinian's
Director
- 1955
Geordie
Director
- 1954
The Belles of St Trinian's
Director
- 1952
Folly to Be Wise
Director
- 1951
Lady Godiva Rides Again
Director
- 1950
The Happiest Days of Your Life
Director
1940s
- 1949
- 1947
Captain Boycott
Director
- 1946
I See a Dark Stranger
Director
- 1944
Two Thousand Women
Director
- 1943
Millions Like Us
Director
Other crew 3
1950s
- 1957
The Smallest Show on Earth
Presenter
1930s
- 1931
The Woman Between
Script
- 1930
The Middle Watch
Script