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The Magic Box

Duration: 1 hour, 45 minutes

on BBC Two Northern Ireland

Biography of British film pioneer William Friese-Greene, who designed and patented a working cinematic camera. His life was dogged by hardship and lack of recognition. Show more

Contributors

William Friese-Greene:
Robert Donat
Edith Friese-Greene:
Margaret Johnston
Helena Friese-Greene:
Maria Schell
Maurice Friese-Greene:
John Howard Davies
Lord Beaverbrook:
Robert Beatty
Arthur Collings:
Eric Portman
May Jones:
Glynis Johns
Platform Man:
Cecil Parker
Assistant in Laboratory:
David Tomlinson
Bank Manager:
Emlyn Williams
Hotel Receptionist:
Kay Walsh
Police Officer:
Laurence Olivier
Maida Vale Doctor:
Leo Genn
House Agent:
Marius Goring
Industry Man:
Peter Ustinov
Nursemaid:
Sheila Sim
Broker's Man:
Stanley Holloway
Miss Tagg:
Renee Asherson
Company Promoter:
Roland Culver
Ethel Friese-Greene:
Janette Scott
Cousin Alfred:
Bernard Miles
Mrs Claire:
Joyce Grenfell
Maurice Guttenberg:
Frederick Valk
Official Receiver:
Michael Hordern
Sergeant in Storeroom:
Sydney James
Doctor's Housekeeper:
Thora Hird
Recruiting Sergeant:
William Hartnell
Sitter in Bath Studio:
Googie Withers
Sitter in Bath Studio:
Richard Murdoch
Sitter in Bath Studio:
Sybil Thorndike
Mrs Stukely:
Joan Hickson
Industry Man:
Peter Jones
Director:
John Boulting

BBC Two Northern Ireland

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