The Magic Box

Duration: 1 hour, 45 minutes

First broadcast: Tue 30^th Jul 2013, 12:00 on BBC Two HDLatest broadcast: Sun 16^th Dec 2018, 06:30 on BBC Two England

Biography of British film pioneer William Friese-Greene, who designed and patented a working cinematic camera. His life was dogged by hardship and lack of recognition. Show more

Contributors

William Friese-Greene:: Robert Donat
Edith Friese-Greene:: Margaret Johnston
Helena Friese-Greene:: Maria Schell
Maurice Friese-Greene:: John Howard Davies
Lord Beaverbrook:: Robert Beatty
Jack Carter:: Richard Attenborough
Arthur Collings:: Eric Portman
Harold:: Dennis Price
May Jones:: Glynis Johns
Platform Man:: Cecil Parker
Assistant in Laboratory:: David Tomlinson
Bank Manager:: Emlyn Williams
Hotel Receptionist:: Kay Walsh
Police Officer:: Laurence Olivier
Maida Vale Doctor:: Leo Genn
House Agent:: Marius Goring
Reporter:: Michael Denison
Industry Man:: Peter Ustinov
Nursemaid:: Sheila Sim
Broker's Man:: Stanley Holloway
Miss Tagg:: Renee Asherson
Company Promoter:: Roland Culver
Mr Lege:: Michael Redgrave
Ethel Friese-Greene:: Janette Scott
Cousin Alfred:: Bernard Miles
Mrs Claire:: Joyce Grenfell
Lady Pond:: Margaret Rutherford
Maurice Guttenberg:: Frederick Valk
Official Receiver:: Michael Hordern
Sergeant in Storeroom:: Sydney James
Doctor's Housekeeper:: Thora Hird
Recruiting Sergeant:: William Hartnell
Sitter in Bath Studio:: Googie Withers
Sitter in Bath Studio:: Richard Murdoch
Sitter in Bath Studio:: Sybil Thorndike
Mrs Stukely:: Joan Hickson
Industry Man:: Peter Jones
Director:: John Boulting

Genres

DramaBiographical

Formats

Films

Source: BBC Online

The Others

BBC Two

Duration: 1 hour, 45 minutes

First broadcast: Mon 7^th Jan 2008, 21:00 on BBC Two EnglandLatest broadcast: Fri 10^th Apr 2009, 22:15 on BBC Two Wales

Supernatural thriller, set at the end of WWII, about a devoutly religious mother who moves to a Jersey mansion with her ailing children to await the return of her soldier husband. Show more