Arthur Crabtree was born in 1900 in the charming town of Shipley, located in the picturesque county of Yorkshire, England. Growing up, he was fascinated by the world of photography, and his passion for the art form only intensified as he entered adulthood. Despite having a secure job with a local firm of engineers, Crabtree felt an insatiable urge to pursue his dreams and take a chance on a career in the film industry.
At the tender age of 29, Crabtree made the bold decision to leave his safe and secure job behind and embark on a new journey as a clapper boy at Elstree Studios. Little did he know that this calculated risk would ultimately pay off in a big way, as sound began to revolutionize the British film studios.
Crabtree's hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed, and he soon found himself rising through the ranks, becoming an assistant to the renowned director Alfred Hitchcock. Under Hitchcock's guidance, Crabtree learned the ins and outs of filmmaking, honing his skills and developing a keen eye for the art form.
Ten years later, Crabtree made the move to Gainsborough Studios, where he began to make a name for himself as a cameraman and lighting director. His impressive work on films such as Kipps (1940),The Man in Grey (1943),and Fanny by Gaslight (1944) caught the attention of the prominent film producer Maurice Ostrer, who saw great potential in the young filmmaker.
Ostrer promoted Crabtree to director, and his big break came with the film Madonna of the Seven Moons in 1945. This milestone in British film history boasted an all-star cast, including Phyllis Calvert and Stewart Granger, and caused long queues at cinemas when it was released. Crabtree's subsequent films, including Lilli Marlene and Hindle Wakes, further solidified his reputation as a talented and innovative filmmaker.
Crabtree's final film, Horrors of the Black Museum, was released in 1959, after which he retired from the industry, leaving behind a legacy that would be remembered for generations to come.
