Norman Spencer

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Norman Spencer
Spencer in 2020
Born
Norman Leslie Spencer

(1914-08-13) 13 August 1914 (age 109)
Lambeth, London, England
NationalityEnglish
Occupation(s)Director, actor, production manager, producer, writer
Years active1935–2016
Spouse(s)
Barbara Sheppard
(m. 1943, divorced)
Children2

Norman Leslie Spencer (born 13 August 1914) is an English director, actor, production manager, producer, and writer. With a career spanning over eight decades, he is best known for his collaborations with director David Lean during the 1940s and 50s.

Spencer turned 100 on 13 August 2014.[1] He is the oldest living actor, filmmaker or entertainer and is amongst the oldest living notable centenarians.

Early life[change | change source]

Norman Leslie Spencer was born in Lambeth, London, England on 13 August 1914.[2][3] He is an only child.[4] His mother's maiden name was Privett.[5][6] He grew up in Billericay, Essex.[7]

Career[change | change source]

Spencer made his career debut on 17 July 1935, as a director on the American Western film, Rainbow's End.[8][9]

Spencer continued his career, initially, as an extra, following his debut.[10][11]

Spencer made his crew debut on 21 June 1936, as clapper loader on the thriller film Midnight at Madame Tussaud's. This role was uncredited.[12]

Spencer made his debut as an actor on 1 June 1937, with the uncredited role of Man in the historical drama film Knight Without Armour.[13] He made his second and final appearance as an actor with the uncredited role of Athlete in the comedy-drama film A Yank at Oxford (1938). [14]

Spencer first met director David Lean while he was a gofer at Denham Studios and Lean had been an editor. His first job on a Lean film was as assistant director on Lean's debut as a director, In Which We Serve (1942).[15] He became Lean's production manager after joining Cineguild Productions in 1944[10][11] and went on to work on Lean's adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel Great Expectations (1946).[16] He co-scripted and co-produced Lean's film adaptation of the Harold Brighouse play Hobson's Choice (1954).[17][15] Lean's first casting suggestion for the lead role was the Welsh-born stage and film actor Roger Livesey, but he convinced him to cast the British-American actor Charles Laughton instead, later explaining: "Laughton was a Yorkshireman and he would be playing a Lancastrian, so you'd get regional accuracy, more or less, with international casting. And I thought it needed that size of character."[18][19] He collaborated with Lean on a re-write of the script for the epic war film The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) leading up to the film's production, after Lean was unhappy with the one the American screenwriter and film producer Carl Foreman had written. Foreman was later asked to re-write the script by the American film producer Sam Spiegel.[20][21][22][23] He worked with Lean on the Moroccan shoot for the epic biographical adventure drama film Lawrence of Arabia (1962), although his work was uncredited.[10][11]

Spencer made his debut as a film producer on the romantic drama film The Passionate Friends on 26 January 1949.[24] His final work as a producer was on four episodes of the drama series The English Programme in 1994. He also co-wrote his final project as a producer.[25]

Spencer made his debut as a writer on 19 April 1954, when he co-wrote the romantic comedy film Hobson's Choice.[26]

Spencer, Lean and Wynyard Brown, a dramatist, playwright and screenwriter, were nominated for "Best British Screenplay" - amongst the five nominations Hobson's Choice recieved - at the 8th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) on 10 March 1955. Although the trio lost in their category, Lean's adaptation of the play won "Best British Film".[27] The film was first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two on 11 November 1982,[28] 27 years after it's debut, and repeated on BBC One on 31 December 1986[29] and again on 22 May 1988.[30]

Spencer attended a special screening of Lean's adaptation of the novel Great Expectations at Wolverton Hall, Norfolk in July 2013.[31]

Spencer has worked on various other projects, including; as producer on the American action film Vanishing Point (1971),[32][33] and as co-producer on the epic apartheid drama film Cry Freedom (1987), directed and produced by Richard Attenborough.[7]

Spencer has appeared as himself on various projects, including; The Making of 'The Bridge on the River Kwai', The Making of 'Lawrence of Arabia', A Profile of 'Oliver Twist', and A Profile of 'In Which We Serve' (2000). He also appeared in the documentary film David Lean and His Dedicated Maniacs (2009).[34]

Spencer made his final television appearance on 11 February 2016, at the age of 101, as himself in the biographical history documentary film Leslie Howard: The Man Who Gave a Damn.[35]

Personal life[change | change source]

Spencer married Barbara Lillian Ethel Sheppard (1922–2005)[36][37] in Marylebone, London in April 1943.[38] They had two daughters; Susan L Spencer[39] (born 1944)[40] and Sally Jane Spencer[41] (born 1948).[42] The couple later separated and were divorced prior to Sheppard's second marriage in April 1947.[43] He has four grandchildren.[44][45][46][47]

Spencer has resided in Denham, Buckinghamshire since 2003.[48][49][50] He resided in Hampstead, London in 1939.[51]

Spencer celebrated his 100th birthday in 2014.[1]

Credits[change | change source]

As director[change | change source]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1935 Rainbow's End Director [8][9]
1942 They Flew Alone Third Assistant Director Uncredited [52][53]
1942 Unpublished Story Third Assistant Director Uncredited [52][54]
1942 In Which We Serve Third Assistant Director Uncredited [52][55]
1943 The Demi-Paradise Second Assistant Director Uncredited [52][56]

As crew member[change | change source]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1936 Midnight at Madame Tussaud's Clapper Loader Uncredited [52][12]
1941 'Pimpernel' Smith Stand-In: Leslie Howard Uncredited [52][57]
1962 Lawrence of Arabia Assistant: Mr. Lean Uncredited [52][58]

As production manager[change | change source]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1944 The Way Ahead Production Manager Uncredited [52][59]
1945 Blithe Spirit Unit Manager [52][60]
1945 The Rake's Progress Production Manager [52][61]
1946 Great Expectations Production Manager [52][62]
1947 Take My Life Production Manager [52][63]
1948 Blanche Fury Production Manager [52][64]
1948 Oliver Twist Production Manager [52][65]
1950 Madeleine Production Manager [52][66]

As producer[change | change source]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1949 The Passionate Friends Associate Producer [52][24]
1951 Blackmailed Associate Producer [52][67]
1952 The Sound Barrier Associate Producer [52][68]
1954 Hobson's Choice Associate Producer [52][26]
1955 Summertime Associate Producer [52][69]
1959 Suddenly, Last Summer Associate Producer Uncredited [52][70]
1968 The Seekers Down Under Producer [71][72]
1971 Vanishing Point Producer [52][73]
1987 Cry Freedom Co-producer [52][74]
1994 The English Programme Associate Producer 4 episodes [52][25]

As writer[change | change source]

Year Title Notes Ref.
1954 Hobson's Choice Screenplay [52][26]
1994 The English Programme Screenplay; 4 episodes [52][25]

Filmography[change | change source]

As an actor[change | change source]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1937 Knight Without Armour Man Uncredited [52][13]
1938 A Yank at Oxford Athlete Uncredited [52][14]

As himself[change | change source]

Year Title Notes Ref.
2000 The Making of 'The Bridge on the River Kwai' [52][75]
2000 The Making of 'Lawrence of Arabia' [52][76]
2000 A Profile of 'Oliver Twist' [52][77]
2000 A Profile of 'In Which We Serve' [52][78]
2004 The Last of the Gentleman Producers [52][79]
2009 David Lean and His Dedicated Maniacs [52][80]
2016 Leslie Howard: The Man Who Gave a Damn [52][81]

References[change | change source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Living people aged 107+". Oldest People in Britain. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  2. ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915: 1914 1d 750 LAMBETH – Norman L Spencer
  3. ↑ "Norman Spencer". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  4. ↑ "Spencer". Ancestry. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  5. ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915: Name: Privett Maiden name: Privett Child: Norman L Spencer
  6. ↑ "Privett". Ancestry. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Darvas, Teddy (22 June 1999). "Norman Spencer: Interview notes". British Entertainment History Project. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Rainbow's End". TV Guide. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Rainbow's End (1935), First Division Productions, retrieved 21 February 2024
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 McFarlane, Brian (2014). The Encyclopedia of British Film: Fourth edition. Oxford University Press. p. 717. ISBN 9781526111968.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 McFarlane, Brian (2014). The Encyclopedia of British Film: Fourth edition. Oxford University Press. p. 718. ISBN 9781526111968.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Pearson, George (21 June 1937), Midnight at Madame Tussaud's (Crime, Drama, Mystery), James Carew, Charles Oliver, Lucille Lisle, Premier Sound Films, retrieved 21 February 2024
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Feyder, Jacques (23 July 1937), Knight Without Armour (Adventure, Drama, History), Marlene Dietrich, Robert Donat, Irene Vanbrugh, London Film Productions, retrieved 21 February 2024
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Conway, Jack (18 February 1938), A Yank at Oxford (Drama, Romance, Sport), Robert Taylor, Vivien Leigh, Lionel Barrymore, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer British Studios, retrieved 21 February 2024
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Groves, Nancy (30 June 2014). "How we made Hobson's Choice". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  16. ↑ Hurrell, Alex (27 July 2013). "Film chief and son of Oscar winner attend screening of David Lean classic at Wolterton Hall". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  17. ↑ "Hobson's Choice". Rotten Tomatoes. 15 October 1954. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  18. ↑ Brownlow, Kevin (1996). David Lean: A Biography. Faber & Faber. p. 298. ISBN 0571191681.
  19. ↑ Brownlow, Kevin (1996). David Lean: A Biography. Faber & Faber. p. 299. ISBN 0571191681.
  20. ↑ Brownlow, Kevin (1996). David Lean: A Biography. Faber & Faber. p. 351. ISBN 0571191681.
  21. ↑ Brownlow, Kevin (1996). David Lean: A Biography. Faber & Faber. p. 352. ISBN 0571191681.
  22. ↑ Brownlow, Kevin (1996). David Lean: A Biography. Faber & Faber. p. 353. ISBN 0571191681.
  23. ↑ Brownlow, Kevin (1996). David Lean: A Biography. Faber & Faber. p. 354. ISBN 0571191681.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Lean, David (26 January 1949), The Passionate Friends (Drama, Romance), Ann Todd, Trevor Howard, Claude Rains, Cineguild, retrieved 21 February 2024
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 The English Programme (Drama), Charlie Stafford, Stephen Warbeck, Christopher Neame, Thames Television, 20 September 1976, retrieved 21 February 2024{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 Lean, David (19 April 1954), Hobson's Choice (Comedy, Drama, Romance), Charles Laughton, John Mills, Brenda de Banzie, London Film Productions, British Lion Film Corporation, retrieved 21 February 2024
  27. ↑ "Norman Spencer". TV Guide. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  28. ↑ "Charles Laughton in Hobson's Choice". BBC. 11 November 1982. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  29. ↑ "The David Lean Film: Hobson's Choice". BBC. 31 December 1986. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  30. ↑ "John Mills in Hobson's Choice". BBC. 22 May 1988. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  31. ↑ Hurrell, Alex (27 July 2013). "Film chief and son of Oscar winner attend screening of David Lean classic at Wolterton Hall". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  32. ↑ "Vanishing Point". Rotten Tomatoes. 15 January 1971. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  33. ↑ Greenspun, Roger (25 March 1971). "A Lot of Speed and Loads of Hair". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  34. ↑ Renée, V (2 November 2023). "The Passion of David Lean: What It Means to Be a 'Dedicated Maniac' for Film". nofilmschool. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  35. ↑ "Leslie Howard: The Man Who Gave a Damn". good.film. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  36. ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007: 4 AUG 1922 4a 1826 IPSWICH – Barbara Le Sheppard
  37. ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007: NOV 2005 (aged 83) D38B 153 IPSWICH – Barbara Lillian E Nichols
  38. ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005: APR 1943 1a 1056 MARYLEBONE – Norman L Spencer = Barbara Sheppard
  39. ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005: JUL 1964 6a 1057 ETON – Susan L Spencer = Peter D B Mcintyre
  40. ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007: JUL 1944 3a 2159 AMERSHAM – Susan L Spencer
  41. ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005: APR 1971 6a 1184 ETON – Sally Jane Spencer = Timothy Freshwater
  42. ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007: JUL 1948 6a 353 AMERSHAM – Sally J Spencer
  43. ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005: APR 1947 4b 2279 IPSWICH – Barbara L E Sheppard = Jack D Nichols
  44. ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007: JAN 1967 6a 630 AMERSHAM – Amanda Louise McIntyre
  45. ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007: JAN 1969 6a 547 AMERSHAM – Lucy Sarah McIntyre
  46. ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007: JUL 1971 6a 1343 AMERSHAM – Jamie Peter McIntyre
  47. ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007: FEB 2003 B101C6 017 HATFIELD – Anna Louise Freshwater
  48. ↑ UK, Electoral Registers, 2003-2010: 2003-2010 Redhill Cottage, Red Hill, Denham, UB9 4LE – Mr Norman L Spencer
  49. ↑ UK, Electoral Registers, 2011-2018: 2011-2018 Red Hill Denham – Norman L Spencer
  50. ↑ Dunhill, Lawrence (26 August 2009). "Hollywood film producer takes French lessons in Iver Heath". Bucks Free Press. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  51. ↑ 1939 England and Wales Register: 1939 Hampstead, London, England – Norman L Spencer
  52. ↑ 52.00 52.01 52.02 52.03 52.04 52.05 52.06 52.07 52.08 52.09 52.10 52.11 52.12 52.13 52.14 52.15 52.16 52.17 52.18 52.19 52.20 52.21 52.22 52.23 52.24 52.25 52.26 52.27 52.28 52.29 52.30 52.31 52.32 52.33 52.34 "Norman Spencer". IMDb. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  53. ↑ Wilcox, Herbert (18 September 1942), They Flew Alone (Biography, Drama), Anna Neagle, Robert Newton, Edward Chapman, Herbert Wilcox Productions, retrieved 21 February 2024
  54. ↑ French, Harold (10 August 1948), Unpublished Story (Drama, War), Richard Greene, Valerie Hobson, Basil Radford, Two Cities Films, retrieved 21 February 2024
  55. ↑ Coward, Noël; Lean, David (23 December 1942), In Which We Serve (Drama, War), Noël Coward, John Mills, Bernard Miles, Two Cities Films, retrieved 21 February 2024
  56. ↑ Asquith, Anthony (7 March 1944), The Demi-Paradise (Comedy, Drama, Romance), Laurence Olivier, Penelope Dudley-Ward, Marjorie Fielding, Two Cities Films, retrieved 21 February 2024
  57. ↑ Howard, Leslie (28 July 1941), 'Pimpernel' Smith (Adventure, Drama, Thriller), Leslie Howard, Francis L. Sullivan, Allan Jeayes, British National Films, retrieved 21 February 2024
  58. ↑ Lean, David (11 December 1962), Lawrence of Arabia (Adventure, Biography, Drama), Peter O'Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Horizon Pictures (II), retrieved 21 February 2024
  59. ↑ Reed, Carol (3 June 1945), The Way Ahead (Drama, War), David Niven, Stanley Holloway, James Donald, Two Cities Films, retrieved 21 February 2024
  60. ↑ Lean, David (3 October 1945), Blithe Spirit (Comedy, Fantasy), Rex Harrison, Constance Cummings, Kay Hammond, Two Cities Films, Noel Coward-Cineguild, retrieved 21 February 2024
  61. ↑ Gilliat, Sidney (1 November 1946), The Rake's Progress (Drama, Romance), Rex Harrison, Lilli Palmer, Godfrey Tearle, Individual Pictures, Independent Producers, retrieved 21 February 2024
  62. ↑ Lean, David (22 May 1947), Great Expectations (Adventure, Drama, Mystery), John Mills, Valerie Hobson, Tony Wager, Cineguild, retrieved 21 February 2024
  63. ↑ Neame, Ronald (30 May 1947), Take My Life (Crime, Drama, Film-Noir), Hugh Williams, Greta Gynt, Leo Bieber, Cineguild, retrieved 21 February 2024
  64. ↑ Allégret, Marc (8 September 1948), Blanche Fury (Crime, Drama, Mystery), Stewart Granger, Valerie Hobson, Walter Fitzgerald, Cineguild, Independent Producers, retrieved 21 February 2024
  65. ↑ Lean, David (30 July 1951), Oliver Twist (Drama), Robert Newton, Alec Guinness, Kay Walsh, Cineguild, retrieved 21 February 2024
  66. ↑ Lean, David (18 August 1950), Madeleine (Crime, Drama, Mystery), Ann Todd, Norman Wooland, Ivan Desny, J. Arthur Rank Organisation, Cineguild, retrieved 21 February 2024
  67. ↑ Allégret, Marc (12 September 1951), Blackmailed (Crime, Drama, Thriller), Mai Zetterling, Dirk Bogarde, Fay Compton, Harold Huth Productions, retrieved 21 February 2024
  68. ↑ Lean, David (21 December 1952), The Sound Barrier (Adventure, Drama, Romance), Ralph Richardson, Ann Todd, Nigel Patrick, London Film Productions, British Lion Film Corporation, retrieved 21 February 2024
  69. ↑ Lean, David (7 November 1955), Summertime (Comedy, Drama, Romance), Katharine Hepburn, Rossano Brazzi, Isa Miranda, Lopert Pictures Corporation, London Film Productions, retrieved 21 February 2024
  70. ↑ Mankiewicz, Joseph L., Suddenly, Last Summer (Drama, Mystery, Thriller), Elizabeth Taylor, Katharine Hepburn, Montgomery Clift, Columbia Pictures, Horizon Pictures (II), Academy Pictures Corporation, retrieved 21 February 2024
  71. ↑ "The Seekers Down Under". BBC. 24 June 1968. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  72. ↑ "The Seekers - Down Under". BBC. 27 December 1968. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  73. ↑ Sarafian, Richard C. (13 March 1971), Vanishing Point (Action, Crime, Thriller), Barry Newman, Cleavon Little, Charlotte Rampling, Cupid Productions, retrieved 21 February 2024
  74. ↑ Attenborough, Richard (6 November 1987), Cry Freedom (Biography, Drama, History), Denzel Washington, Kevin Kline, Josette Simon, Universal Pictures, Marble Arch Productions, retrieved 21 February 2024
  75. ↑ Bouzereau, Laurent (21 November 2000), The Making of 'The Bridge on the River Kwai' (Documentary), Adrian Turner, Norman Spencer, Pamela Mann, Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment, retrieved 21 February 2024
  76. ↑ Bouzereau, Laurent, The Making of 'Lawrence of Arabia' (Documentary), David Lean, Adrian Turner, Norman Spencer, retrieved 21 February 2024
  77. ↑ A Profile of 'Oliver Twist' (Documentary, Short), Norman Spencer, Ronald Neame, Oswald Morris, Carlton International Media, retrieved 21 February 2024{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  78. ↑ A Profile of 'In Which We Serve' (Documentary, Short), David Bond, Lucy Fleming, Guy Green, Carlton International Media, retrieved 21 February 2024{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  79. ↑ Sprackling, Simon (15 April 2010), The Last of the Gentleman Producers (Documentary, Short, Biography), Euan Lloyd, Roger Moore, Ingrid Pitt, Funnyman Films, retrieved 21 February 2024
  80. ↑ Cano, Rocio (3 October 2009), David Lean and His Dedicated Maniacs (Documentary), Nigel Havers, David Lean, Norman Spencer, Hotsauce TV, retrieved 21 February 2024
  81. ↑ Hamilton, Thomas (11 February 2016), Leslie Howard: The Man Who Gave a Damn (Documentary, Biography, History), Derek Partridge, Leslie Ruth Howard, Norman Spencer, Repo Films, retrieved 21 February 2024
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