MovieChat Forums > Island of Terror (1967) Discussion > Art Director

Art Director

posted 18 years ago by sarah-earl
3 replies | jump to latest

Hi, My name is Sarah and my father, known as John ST. JOHN EARL was (I was told by our family) the art director for Island of Terror. He died 11 years ago and I am trying to find out all about him. Halliwells and the who's who of the movie world however, don't contain any information or listings on him, though his name, I believe was on the credits at the end of the motion picture.
Can anyone help me in my quest to find out more ?
I know so far, that he worked for Rank, and also had dealings with some other productions i.e Quatermass, Hammer House of Horror, some of the Norman Wisdom, one of the James Bond as well as Be My Guest, Dateline Diamonds, Blind Corner, Band of Thieves, The Dam Busters and Dunkirk.
I am aware he worked for Pinewood, Sheperton, Elstree and Denham studios, as well as MGM at Ealing (Dunkirk).So may have been Freelance.
Any information (which can be verified) greatly recieved.
Many thanks, from a daughter who never really got to know her dad.

[–] IrishLass240 17 years ago

Dear Sarah,

I feel badly writing to you, because I didn't know your father. I also lost my Dad at a young age, so I understand your wish to know more about him. He certainly sounds like a very creative and accomplished man! I noticed a few other achievements that you did not include in your posting. They are:

Devils of Darkness - Production Designer
1965

Man in the Dark - Art Director
1963

Have you thought of writing to some of the people he may have worked with? For example, a movie like Island of Terror. You might try to write to staff members who would have worked closely with your father, such as writers, directors, special effects personnel, etc. The IMDB PRO service offers agent contact names and numbers for people who still work in the business.

I wouldn't be surprised if you found a number of coworkers who remember your father fondly and would be happy to tell you what they recall.

Best of luck with your quest!

[–] sarah-earl 17 years ago

Dear 'Irish Lass',
..
Sorry I don't know your real name ..
Thank you so much for your mail. I didn't know about 'Man in The Dark'
..
I have tried making contact with one or two people from my dad's past, sadly though, as he would have been 87 this year, I think most of his 'conspiritors! have passed on ..
..
I wish he were here, even more so now .. He never knew that I managed to get my childood dream role as 'Eliza Dolittle' in 'My Fair Lady', a few years back, or that I am about to appear as the lead 'Reno Sweeney' in 'Anything Goes' .. Only Amateur, but I like to think he would have been proud .. But the sadest blow, is that, over the last 3 years I have been creating and painting the sets and scenery for the shows, just like he used to do...
But you know what .. somehow, recieving your message 'out of the blue' tells me that he is with me, and does know ..
So thank you, whoever you are, very much ..
..
Xx

[–] lincolnmoviefan 17 years ago

Hi Sarah-Earl,

Don't know if this will help or hinder you but as you mentioned Norman Wisdom there - I don't know if you know this or not - but there was an American born producer who made films here in Britain (including films made with Norman) called Earl St. John.

As your father's name & his name are very close sounding guess some people might think they are the same person etc.

Anyway great that your dad worked on DEVILS OF DARKNESS & ISLAND OF TERROR - I'm one of many fans of 1950's, 1960's, 1970's British horror films on here and both of those titles we've all grown up with thanks to late night television :)

BTW - DEVILS OF DARKNESS is out on Region 1 DVD this September!