Francis Durbridge

Francis Durbridge

Deceased · Born: Nov 25, 1912 · Died: Apr 11, 1998

Personal Details

BornNov 25, 1912 Hull, Yorkshire, England, UK

Biography

Francis Durbridge, a renowned British crime novelist and playwright, entered the world in the vibrant city of Hull, a metropolis steeped in maritime heritage and cultural importance. As he began his life's journey, Durbridge pursued his academic aspirations, initially at Bradford University, where he immersed himself in the world of English literature and meticulously developed his writing abilities. His insatiable thirst for knowledge and fervent passion for learning subsequently led him to continue his studies at Birmingham University, one of the most esteemed institutions of higher learning in the United Kingdom, where he further refined his comprehension of the English language and its intricate complexities.

The formative years of this notable individual's professional trajectory commenced with a pioneering foray into the domain of playwriting, as epitomized by the historic inaugural broadcast of his debut play, "Promotion", on the esteemed British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in the year 1933. This groundbreaking endeavour proved to be an unqualified success, garnering widespread acclaim and admiration from critics and audiences alike, thereby prompting the BBC to extend an invitation for the playwright to contribute further works to their esteemed repertoire.

Biography:

John Smith was born in 1905 in London, England. He developed a passion for writing at a young age and went on to study drama at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. After graduating, he began his career as a playwright, writing for the BBC and other prominent theater companies. His debut play, "Promotion", was broadcast on the BBC in 1933 and received widespread acclaim.

The subsequent dramatic production, aptly titled "Send For Paul Temple", achieved a remarkable and unprecedented level of popularity, resulting in a staggering 7,000 letters being sent by viewers, all of whom were fervently clamoring for more of the captivating storylines and intriguing characters, thus solidifying the show's status as a cherished and long-lasting television phenomenon, with "The Adventures of Paul Temple" going on to maintain its remarkable popularity for an impressive span of over three decades.

In the pivotal year of nineteen sixty-nine, the British Broadcasting Corporation's television division, having just undergone a groundbreaking metamorphosis to color broadcasting, extended a significant invitation to the illustrious television writer, Francis Durbridge, to craft a monumental series comprising twenty-six episodes, featuring the unforgettable character of Paul Temple, with the renowned actor Francis Matthews assuming the titular role with distinction.

Not until the year 1971 did the illustrious author, Durbridge, leave a lasting impact on the world of theatre by crafting his inaugural thriller, a captivating play specifically designed for the stage, titled "Suddenly at Home", which boasted an impressive cast featuring the talented and accomplished actor, Gerald Harper, alongside the esteemed and renowned actress, Penelope Keith.

The prolific creative output of Durbridge continued to unfold over the years, with the renowned author leaving an indelible mark on the literary world. In 1976, Durbridge penned the captivating "Murder With Love", a suspenseful tale that would undoubtedly captivate audiences and leave them on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the next twist and turn. This was swiftly followed by the equally gripping "House Guest" in 1980, a masterclass in suspense that would undoubtedly test the mettle of even the most discerning thriller enthusiasts, challenging their perceptions and keeping them guessing until the very end. Decades later, in 1996, Durbridge would once again treat fans to a thrilling new installment, the electrifying "Fatal Encounter", a testament to his unwavering dedication to crafting stories that would leave a lasting impression on the public, cementing his status as a master of the thriller genre.

Peter Durbridge, a celebrated author, openly acknowledged that his gripping thrillers deliberately strayed from the traditional "whodunit" formula, opting instead to meticulously craft suspenseful narratives that revolve around the captivating "will-he-get-away-with-it" enigma.

Career

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1997
Melissa
Melissa as Novel
{"id":225855,"title":"The Circle","year":"1957","job":"Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-circle-1949","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_225855.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_225855.jpg"},"released":1}
1957
The Circle
The Circle as Screenplay
{"id":67233,"title":"Postmark for Danger","year":"1955","job":"Story","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/postmark-for-danger","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_67233.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_67233.jpg"},"released":1}
1955
{"id":174218,"title":"The Teckman Mystery","year":"1954","job":"Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-teckman-mystery","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_174218.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_174218.jpg"},"released":1}
1954
{"id":174295,"title":"Operation Diplomat","year":"1953","job":"Story","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/operation-diplomat","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_174295.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_174295.jpg"},"released":1}
1953
{"id":68188,"title":"Bombay Waterfront","year":"1952","job":"Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/bombay-waterfront","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_68188.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_68188.jpg"},"released":1}
1952
{"id":186917,"title":"Paul Temple's Triumph","year":"1950","job":"Story","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/paul-temples-triumph-1950","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_186917.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_186917.jpg"},"released":1}
1950
{"id":69282,"title":"Calling Paul Temple","year":"1948","job":"Characters","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/calling-paul-temple","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_69282.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_69282.jpg"},"released":1}
1948
{"id":70116,"title":"Mystery of the Green Finger","year":"1946","job":"Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/mystery-of-the-green-finger","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_70116.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_70116.jpg"},"released":1}
1946
{"id":103834618,"title":"Melissa","year":"1974","job":"Creator, Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/melissa","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103834618.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103834618.jpg"},"released":1}
1974
Melissa
Melissa as Creator, Writer
{"id":103837762,"title":"The Passenger","year":"1971","job":"Creator","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/the-passenger","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103837762.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103837762.jpg"},"released":1}
1971
The Passenger
The Passenger as Creator
{"id":10310,"title":"Paul Temple","year":"1969","job":"Creator","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/paul-temple","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_10310.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_10310.jpg"},"released":1}
1969
Paul Temple
Paul Temple as Creator