Director Charles Crichton's film career began in 1935 as an editor with Alexander Korda's London Films, where he worked on notable productions such as Sanders of the River, Things to Come, and Elephant Boy, which introduced Sabu to movie audiences.
He soon left London Films to join Ealing Studios, rising through the ranks and making his directorial debut with For Those in Peril in 1944.
Crichton was known for his meticulous approach to filmmaking, earning him the nickname "perfectionist".
At Ealing, he found his niche, directing many comedies, including the quirky The Titfield Thunderbolt and the wildly popular The Lavender Hill Mob.
Outside of Ealing, he tried his hand at drama with The Stranger in Between, starring Dirk Bogarde.
When Ealing closed its doors in 1959, Crichton's film work slowed, and he shifted his focus to television, directing numerous crime and adventure series.
His occasional returns to feature films were not as successful, and he remained in television, directing episodes of popular shows like Secret Agent, The Avengers, and Space: 1999.
Years later, at the request of star John Cleese, Crichton agreed to direct Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Kevin Kline in the offbeat comedy A Fish Called Wanda, which turned out to be a huge international hit and his biggest success.
It was also his last film, and Crichton passed away in London in 1999 at the age of 89.
