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His early years included work as a merchant seaman and minor stage experience in Ireland and London before being auditioned by [[Rank Organisation|Rank]] and joining [[The Company of Youth]] at the age of 27.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britmovie.co.uk/1970/01/01/the-forgotten-man-the-films-of-maxwell-reed/ |title=The Forgotten Man: The Films of Maxwell Reed |publisher=Britmovie.co.uk |date=1970-01-01 |accessdate=2014-08-27 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730131058/http://www.britmovie.co.uk/1970/01/01/the-forgotten-man-the-films-of-maxwell-reed/ |archivedate=30 July 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128665242 |title=THE DEVIL'S IN THE STRINGS |newspaper=[[The Longreach Leader]] |volume=25 |issue=1573 |location=Queensland, Australia |date=7 March 1947 |accessdate=7 September 2017 |page=27 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
His early years included work as a merchant seaman and minor stage experience in Ireland and London before being auditioned by [[Rank Organisation|Rank]] and joining [[The Company of Youth]] at the age of 27.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britmovie.co.uk/1970/01/01/the-forgotten-man-the-films-of-maxwell-reed/ |title=The Forgotten Man: The Films of Maxwell Reed |publisher=Britmovie.co.uk |date=1970-01-01 |accessdate=2014-08-27 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730131058/http://www.britmovie.co.uk/1970/01/01/the-forgotten-man-the-films-of-maxwell-reed/ |archivedate=30 July 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128665242 |title=THE DEVIL'S IN THE STRINGS |newspaper=[[The Longreach Leader]] |volume=25 |issue=1573 |location=Queensland, Australia |date=7 March 1947 |accessdate=7 September 2017 |page=27 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>


He made his film debut in ''[[The Years Between (film)|The Years Between]]'' (1946) and then appeared in ''[[Gaiety George]]'' (1946). In both he had unbilled roles.
===Film career===
===Leading Man===
He made his film debut in ''[[The Years Between (film)|The Years Between]]'' (1946) and then appeared in ''[[Gaiety George]]'' (1946).
Producer [[Sydney Box]] thought Reed had star potential and promoted him to leading man status for ''[[Daybreak (1948 film)|Daybreak]]'', where he played an employee of Eric Portman who lusts after Portman's wife, played by Ann Todd. The film was made in 1946, but not released until 1948 due to censorship issues. A film Reed made afterwards was seen before ''Daybreak'': ''[[The Brothers (1947 film)|The Brothers]]'' (1947), again for Box.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22398099 |title=BRITAIN MAKES A STAR... |newspaper=[[The Argus (Melbourne)|The Argus]] |issue=31,277 |location=Melbourne|date=27 November 1946 |accessdate=7 September 2017 |page=6 (Woman's Magazine) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>


Reed followed it with ''[[Dear Murderer]]'' (1947), from a script by Box, starring Portman, and then he made two films opposite Anne Crawford, ''[[Night Beat (1947 film)|Night Beat]]'' (1947), and ''[[Daughter of Darkness (1948 film)|Daughter of Darkness]]'' (1948).
He was promoted to leading man status for ''[[Daybreak (1948 film)|Daybreak]]'' (made in 1946, not released until 1948 due to censorship issues) and ''[[The Brothers (1947 film)|The Brothers]]'' (1947).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22398099 |title=BRITAIN MAKES A STAR... |newspaper=[[The Argus (Melbourne)|The Argus]] |issue=31,277 |location=Melbourne|date=27 November 1946 |accessdate=7 September 2017 |page=6 (Woman's Magazine) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Reed followed it with ''[[Dear Murderer]]'' (1947), ''[[Night Beat (1947 film)|Night Beat]]'' (1947), ''[[Daughter of Darkness (1948 film)|Daughter of Darkness]]'' (1948), ''[[The Lost People]]'' (1949), ''[[Madness of the Heart]]'' (1949), and ''[[Blackout (1950 film)|Blackout]]'' (1950).


Reed had more of a support role in ''[[The Lost People]]'' (1949), co-diected by Muriel Box, and ''[[Madness of the Heart]]'' (1949), with [[Margaret Lockwood]]. He had the lead in ''[[Blackout (1950 film)|Blackout]]'' (1950), opposite [[Dinah Sheridan]].
Reed drifted back to supporting parts in ''[[The Clouded Yellow]]'' (1950). Reed later said "they tried to make me a star too soon."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167907210 |title=The King Has Been Kept Waiting, Too |newspaper=[[Truth (Sydney newspaper)|Truth]] |issue=3151 |location=Sydney |date=18 June 1950 |accessdate=30 August 2017 |page=44 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He kept in lead roles for ''[[The Dark Man (film)|The Dark Man]]'' (1950) and ''[[There Is Another Sun]]'' (1951).


Reed had a support role in ''[[The Clouded Yellow]]'' (1950) with Jean Simmons, then had the lead in some B pictures, ''[[The Dark Man (film)|The Dark Man]]'' (1950) and ''[[There Is Another Sun]]'' (1951). Reed said in June 1950 that "they tried to make me a star too soon."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167907210 |title=The King Has Been Kept Waiting, Too |newspaper=[[Truth (Sydney newspaper)|Truth]] |issue=3151 |location=Sydney |date=18 June 1950 |accessdate=30 August 2017 |page=44 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
Reed moved to the U.S. to make ''[[Flame of Araby]]'' (1952). He returned to Britain for ''[[Sea Devils (1953 film)|Sea Devils]]'' (1953) and ''[[The Square Ring]]'' (1953). After making ''[[Captain Phantom]]'' (1953) in Italy, he made ''[[Marilyn (1953 film)|Marilyn]]'' (1953), ''[[Before I Wake (1954 film)|Before I Wake]]'' (1954) and ''[[The Brain Machine (film)|The Brain Machine]]'' (1956). He had a small role in ''[[Helen of Troy (film)|Helen of Troy]]'' (1956).

Reed moved to the U.S. to make ''[[Flame of Araby]]'' (1952). He returned to Britain for support parts in ''[[Sea Devils (1953 film)|Sea Devils]]'' (1953) and ''[[The Square Ring]]'' (1953).

After making ''[[Captain Phantom]]'' (1953) in Italy, Reed starred in some British B,s ''[[Marilyn (1953 film)|Marilyn]]'' (1953), ''[[Before I Wake (1954 film)|Before I Wake]]'' (1954) and ''[[The Brain Machine (film)|The Brain Machine]]'' (1956). He appeared in episodes of ''[[Theatre Royal]]'' had a small role in ''[[Helen of Troy (film)|Helen of Troy]]'' (1956).


===Hollywood===
===Hollywood===
Reed moved to Hollywood in the late 1950s and portrayed the title role in the 1950s television series ''[[Captain David Grief]]'', based on [[short story|short stories]] by [[Jack London]]. He also made three films in the U.S. and appeared as a guest star in television series such as ''[[Bonanza]]'', ''[[Perry Mason (TV series)|Perry Mason]]'' and ''[[Daniel Boone (1964 TV series)|Daniel Boone]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmovie.com/artist/maxwell-reed-p59277 |title=Maxwell Reed movies, photos, movie reviews, filmography, and biography |publisher=AllMovie |date=1974-08-16 |accessdate=2014-08-26}}</ref>
Reed moved to Hollywood permanently in the late 1950s and portrayed the title role in the 1950s television series ''[[Captain David Grief]]'', based on [[short story|short stories]] by [[Jack London]]. He also guest starred on TV shows like ''[[Celebrity Playhouse]]'' and ''[[The Betty Hutton Show]]''.
Reed had support roles in films like ''[[The Notorious Landlady]]'' (1962) and appeared as a guest star in television series such as ''[[Bonanza]]'', ''[[Kraft Mystery Theater]]'', ''The Beachcomber'', ''[[The Lloyd Bridges Show]]'', ''The Great Adventure'', ''[[Perry Mason (TV series)|Perry Mason]]'' and ''[[Daniel Boone (1964 TV series)|Daniel Boone]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmovie.com/artist/maxwell-reed-p59277 |title=Maxwell Reed movies, photos, movie reviews, filmography, and biography |publisher=AllMovie |date=1974-08-16 |accessdate=2014-08-26}}</ref>

His last feature film was ''[[Picture Mommy Dead]]'' (1966).


==Personal life==
==Personal life==

Revision as of 10:52, 18 June 2020

Maxwell Reed
Autographed publicity still
Born(1919-04-02)2 April 1919
Died16 August 1974(1974-08-16) (aged 55)
London, England
NationalityBritish
OccupationActor
Years active1946–1966
Spouse
(m. 1952; div. 1956)

Maxwell Reed (2 April 1919 – 16 August 1974) was a Northern Irish actor[1] who became a matinee idol in several British films during the 1940s and 1950s.[2]

Biography

His early years included work as a merchant seaman and minor stage experience in Ireland and London before being auditioned by Rank and joining The Company of Youth at the age of 27.[3][4]

He made his film debut in The Years Between (1946) and then appeared in Gaiety George (1946). In both he had unbilled roles.

Leading Man

Producer Sydney Box thought Reed had star potential and promoted him to leading man status for Daybreak, where he played an employee of Eric Portman who lusts after Portman's wife, played by Ann Todd. The film was made in 1946, but not released until 1948 due to censorship issues. A film Reed made afterwards was seen before Daybreak: The Brothers (1947), again for Box.[5]

Reed followed it with Dear Murderer (1947), from a script by Box, starring Portman, and then he made two films opposite Anne Crawford, Night Beat (1947), and Daughter of Darkness (1948).

Reed had more of a support role in The Lost People (1949), co-diected by Muriel Box, and Madness of the Heart (1949), with Margaret Lockwood. He had the lead in Blackout (1950), opposite Dinah Sheridan.

Reed had a support role in The Clouded Yellow (1950) with Jean Simmons, then had the lead in some B pictures, The Dark Man (1950) and There Is Another Sun (1951). Reed said in June 1950 that "they tried to make me a star too soon."[6]

Reed moved to the U.S. to make Flame of Araby (1952). He returned to Britain for support parts in Sea Devils (1953) and The Square Ring (1953).

After making Captain Phantom (1953) in Italy, Reed starred in some British B,s Marilyn (1953), Before I Wake (1954) and The Brain Machine (1956). He appeared in episodes of Theatre Royal had a small role in Helen of Troy (1956).

Hollywood

Reed moved to Hollywood permanently in the late 1950s and portrayed the title role in the 1950s television series Captain David Grief, based on short stories by Jack London. He also guest starred on TV shows like Celebrity Playhouse and The Betty Hutton Show.

Reed had support roles in films like The Notorious Landlady (1962) and appeared as a guest star in television series such as Bonanza, Kraft Mystery Theater, The Beachcomber, The Lloyd Bridges Show, The Great Adventure, Perry Mason and Daniel Boone.[7]

His last feature film was Picture Mommy Dead (1966).

Personal life

He was the first husband of actress Joan Collins, whom he married on 24 May 1952. The marriage ended in divorce in 1956. He died from cancer, aged 55, in London

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1946 The Years Between American UK, uncredited
1946 Gaiety George Prince (on stage) UK, uncredited
1947 Dear Murderer Jimmy Martin UK
1947 The Brothers Fergus Macrae UK
1947 Night Beat Felix Fenton UK
1948 Daughter of Darkness Dan UK
1948 Daybreak Olaf UK
1949 The Lost People Peter UK
1949 Madness of the Heart Joseph Rondolet UK
1950 Blackout Chris Pelley UK
1950 The Clouded Yellow Hick UK
1951 The Dark Man The Dark Man UK
1951 There Is Another Sun Racer UK
1951 Flame of Araby Prince Medina US
1953 Sea Devils Rantaine US / UK
1953 The Square Ring Rick Martell UK
1953 Capitan Fantasma Don Inigo da Costa Italy
1953 Marilyn Tom Price UK
1955 The Brain Machine Frank Smith UK
1955 Before I Wake Michael Elder UK
1956 Helen of Troy Ajax US / Italy
1961 Pirates of Tortuga Fielding US, uncredited
1962 The Notorious Landlady Miles Hardwicke US
1966 Picture Mommy Dead Anthony Flagmore US

External links

References

  1. ^ Wintle, Angela. "Joan Collins: My family values". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  2. ^ Born: 2 April 1919, LarneDied: 31 October 1974. "Maxwell Reed | BFI". Explore.bfi.org.uk. Retrieved 26 August 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ "The Forgotten Man: The Films of Maxwell Reed". Britmovie.co.uk. 1 January 1970. Archived from the original on 30 July 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  4. ^ "THE DEVIL'S IN THE STRINGS". The Longreach Leader. Vol. 25, no. 1573. Queensland, Australia. 7 March 1947. p. 27. Retrieved 7 September 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "BRITAIN MAKES A STAR..." The Argus. No. 31, 277. Melbourne. 27 November 1946. p. 6 (Woman's Magazine). Retrieved 7 September 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "The King Has Been Kept Waiting, Too". Truth. No. 3151. Sydney. 18 June 1950. p. 44. Retrieved 30 August 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "Maxwell Reed movies, photos, movie reviews, filmography, and biography". AllMovie. 16 August 1974. Retrieved 26 August 2014.