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R. J. Minney

January 29, 2023

Rubeigh James "R.J." Minney (29 August 1895 – 5 January 1979) was a British film producer, journalist, playwright, editor and author. He was author of over 40 books including novels and biographies. As a film-maker and film producer, he worked with British film companies such as Gainsborough Pictures, and was invited to Hollywood by Darryl F. Zanuck. He was also was a journalist in India and London, and editor of several newspapers.

Early life and education

Rubeigh James was the son of JR Minney and was born in Calcutta, India on 29 August 1895.[1] Often known as "RJ", he was educated at St. Paul's School, Darjeeling, and studied history at King's College London,[2] but left in 1914 to join the Indian Army.

Career

He was on the editorial staff of The Pioneer in Allahabad and The Englishman in Calcutta, where he also represented The Times. He was a special reporter attached to the staff of the Duke of Connaught for the opening of India's first Parliament in 1920.[3] In London, he was a drama critic for the Daily Chronicle, Sunday News and Everybody's Weekly (1925–1935); he was also director of Everybody's Publication Ltd (until 1935), where he eventually became editor. Furthermore, he was managing editor of The Sunday Referee (1935–39); editor of The Era, War Weekly, which was published from October 1939 to August 1941 by Newnes, and eventually stopped only because of the shortage of paper; and The Strand Magazine (1941–42), to which many famous writers contributed. He also wrote for the Daily Express. Minney was listed as editor of Men Only in 1955, published by Newnes, and there was a tie-in book with many leading contributors called A Stag Party with Men Only, printed by Newnes in that same year.

Travel was one of his great interests: he went to Tibet on horseback across the Himalayas and flew across India in a plane that arrived in a packing case. He also visited Japan, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaya, East Africa, Morocco, Egypt, the Middle East, Russia, South America, Turkey and most of the countries in Europe.

Minney wrote a number of books. His first book, Shiva, or The Future of India was published in 1929 and banned; and Earl Winterton, Under-Secretary of State for India said it was debarred entry because it was offensive to the people of India.[4] Minney's first big best seller was his 1931 biography Clive of India. He also wrote Carve Her Name with Pride (1956) about the brave secret agent Violette Szabo, who was posthumously awarded the George Cross, and which was later turned into a successful film starring Virginia McKenna. Another of his non-fiction works was I Shall Fear No Evil, a harrowing but inspiring account of Dr Alina Brewda, who survived Auschwitz concentration camp and The Holocaust, which was published in 1966.

W. P. Lipscomb was co-author of Clive of India in 1933, which was first produced for the stage by the village players of Great Hucklow in Derbyshire. It ran for over a year in London, and was made into a film by 20th Century Fox. Minney was hired to write the screenplay for this 1935 adaptation by producer Darryl F. Zanuck; however, he did not settle in Hollywood, and returned to Britain. With Sir Osbert Sitwell, he wrote Gentle Caesar, a biography of Tsar Nicholas II, which was first produced at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham in 1943, and Red Horizon. With Juliet Rhys-Williams, They Had His Number was first produced at the Hippodrome in Bolton in 1942, and Minney's own play, The Voice of the People, was first produced in Southend in 1950.

From 1942, he became a leading figure in the Gainsborough Pictures production team, and with producer Ted Edward Black, they produced a series of costume melodramas, which dominated the market from 1942–46.[5] He produced films including The Wicked Lady[6] (1945), which showed that British films could compete with Hollywood, Madonna of the Seven Moons, The Magic Bow and Osbert Sitwell's A Place of One's Own, with settings designed by Rex Whistler. He also produced a film of Terence Rattigan's The Final Test. These films helped boost the careers of new stars including Stewart Granger, James Mason, Patricia Roc and Margaret Lockwood. However, he resigned from the Rank Organisation on 23 January 1947, unhappy with the direction of the company.[7] He was Hon. President of the London School of Economics Film Society (1948–49), a member of the Executive and General Council at the Association of Cine Technicians (1953–1956), Vice Chairman of ACT Films Ltd (1951–1968) and Chairman of the same company from 1968.

Minney was also politically active, and was twice a candidate for the Labour Party at UK general elections. His first attempt was for the newly created Southend East in 1950, when he came a close second to the Conservative candidate. In 1955, he stood for Bexley, which was won by the Conservative incumbent, future party leader and Prime Minister Edward Heath with 28,610 votes (54.27%), whilst Minney, for Labour, won 24,111 votes (45.73%).[8]

In July 1956, Minney went to Peking to speak at the centenary celebrations for George Bernard Shaw. This was covered in his book Next Stop--Peking: Record of a 16,000 Mile Journey Through Russia, Siberia, and China. The Times reviewer (28 November 1957) wrote, "Mr Minney does not pretend to know. He was invited to China to take part in the Shaw centenary celebrations and stayed to do the regular tour and be impressed. This is another delegate's view among the many we have lately had from China – easily readable, superficial."

Personal life

Minney married Edith Anne Murielle Fox in 1918. In 1933, he was living at "Little Walcott", on Bishops Avenue in Hampstead Garden Suburb, London; they later they lived at Lawford House, Manningtree in Essex. They had two children, Primrose and Robin Paul. The first marriage was dissolved and he married Hetty (née Bolsom), becoming stepfather of Penelope Janet Chisholm. They lived in Hook House, Cousley Wood, Wadhurst, Sussex, and Bewl Water reservoir came close to the house when it was filled in 1975.

He was a member of the Savage Club.

Death

He died in Ticehurst, Sussex on 5 January 1979, aged 83. A memorial service was held at St James's, Piccadilly on 5 April 1979; former Labour Prime Minister Sir Harold Wilson MP read the lesson, whilst actress Virginia McKenna read a poem from her film Carve Her Name with Pride. The address was given by Dulcie Gray, and Muriel Pavlow said the prayer of St Francis.[9]

Filmography

Bibliography

Novels

  • Maki (1921)
  • The Road to Delhi (1923)
  • Distant Drums (1935)
  • How Vainly Men (1940)
  • A Woman of France (1945)
  • Nothing to Lose (1946) (filmed as Time Gentlemen, Please!, 1952)
  • Bring Out the Drum (1950)
  • The Governor's Wife (1951)
  • Anne of the Sealed Knot (1972)

Biographies

Other non-fiction

  • Shiva, or the Future of India (1929)
  • India Marches Past (1933)
  • Hollywood by Starlight (1935)
  • Midst Himalayan Mists
  • Excursions in Ink
  • Across India by Air
  • The Journalist
  • Night Life of Calcutta
  • Talking of Films (1947)
  • A Stag Party with Men Only (1955)
  • Next Stop Peking (1957)
  • The Private Papers of Hore Belisha (1960)
  • No 10 Downing Street, a House in History (1963)
  • The Film Maker and His World (1964)
  • The Edwardian Age (1964)
  • The Two Pillars of Charing Cross (1967)
  • Recollections of George Bernard Shaw (1969)
  • The Tower of London (1970)
  • Hampton Court (1972)

Plays

  • Clive of India (1933)
  • Gentle Caesar (1942)
  • They Had His Number (1942)
  • The Red Horizon (1943)
  • The Voice of the People (1950)

References

  1. ^ Biography at author website
  2. ^ Flyleaf notes of "The Governor's Lady" 1951
  3. ^ Flyleaf notes of "The Governor's Lady" 1951
  4. ^ R. J. Minney (12 March 1979). "Parliament. House of Commons, Monday 11 March. "The Future of India"". The Times.
  5. ^ "Home". screenonline.org.uk.
  6. ^ Biography at author website
  7. ^ "PRODUCER QUITS RANK IN SPLIT OVER POLICY". New York Times. 24 January 1947. p. 18.
  8. ^ "Home". politicsresources.net.
  9. ^ "IN MEMORIAM – R J Minney". Daily Telegraph. 6 April 1979.

External links

  • Official website
  • R. J. Minney at IMDb
  • Family website
  • Brief history on "Recalling Jewish Calcutta" website]

January 29, 2023
minney, rubeigh, james, minney, august, 1895, january, 1979, british, film, producer, journalist, playwright, editor, author, author, over, books, including, novels, biographies, film, maker, film, producer, worked, with, british, film, companies, such, gainsb. Rubeigh James R J Minney 29 August 1895 5 January 1979 was a British film producer journalist playwright editor and author He was author of over 40 books including novels and biographies As a film maker and film producer he worked with British film companies such as Gainsborough Pictures and was invited to Hollywood by Darryl F Zanuck He was also was a journalist in India and London and editor of several newspapers Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Career 3 Personal life 4 Death 5 Filmography 6 Bibliography 6 1 Novels 6 2 Biographies 6 3 Other non fiction 6 4 Plays 7 References 8 External linksEarly life and education EditRubeigh James was the son of JR Minney and was born in Calcutta India on 29 August 1895 1 Often known as RJ he was educated at St Paul s School Darjeeling and studied history at King s College London 2 but left in 1914 to join the Indian Army Career EditHe was on the editorial staff of The Pioneer in Allahabad and The Englishman in Calcutta where he also represented The Times He was a special reporter attached to the staff of the Duke of Connaught for the opening of India s first Parliament in 1920 3 In London he was a drama critic for the Daily Chronicle Sunday News and Everybody s Weekly 1925 1935 he was also director of Everybody s Publication Ltd until 1935 where he eventually became editor Furthermore he was managing editor of The Sunday Referee 1935 39 editor of The Era War Weekly which was published from October 1939 to August 1941 by Newnes and eventually stopped only because of the shortage of paper and The Strand Magazine 1941 42 to which many famous writers contributed He also wrote for the Daily Express Minney was listed as editor of Men Only in 1955 published by Newnes and there was a tie in book with many leading contributors called A Stag Party with Men Only printed by Newnes in that same year Travel was one of his great interests he went to Tibet on horseback across the Himalayas and flew across India in a plane that arrived in a packing case He also visited Japan China Hong Kong Vietnam Cambodia Thailand Malaya East Africa Morocco Egypt the Middle East Russia South America Turkey and most of the countries in Europe Minney wrote a number of books His first book Shiva or The Future of India was published in 1929 and banned and Earl Winterton Under Secretary of State for India said it was debarred entry because it was offensive to the people of India 4 Minney s first big best seller was his 1931 biography Clive of India He also wrote Carve Her Name with Pride 1956 about the brave secret agent Violette Szabo who was posthumously awarded the George Cross and which was later turned into a successful film starring Virginia McKenna Another of his non fiction works was I Shall Fear No Evil a harrowing but inspiring account of Dr Alina Brewda who survived Auschwitz concentration camp and The Holocaust which was published in 1966 W P Lipscomb was co author of Clive of India in 1933 which was first produced for the stage by the village players of Great Hucklow in Derbyshire It ran for over a year in London and was made into a film by 20th Century Fox Minney was hired to write the screenplay for this 1935 adaptation by producer Darryl F Zanuck however he did not settle in Hollywood and returned to Britain With Sir Osbert Sitwell he wrote Gentle Caesar a biography of Tsar Nicholas II which was first produced at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham in 1943 and Red Horizon With Juliet Rhys Williams They Had His Number was first produced at the Hippodrome in Bolton in 1942 and Minney s own play The Voice of the People was first produced in Southend in 1950 From 1942 he became a leading figure in the Gainsborough Pictures production team and with producer Ted Edward Black they produced a series of costume melodramas which dominated the market from 1942 46 5 He produced films including The Wicked Lady 6 1945 which showed that British films could compete with Hollywood Madonna of the Seven Moons The Magic Bow and Osbert Sitwell s A Place of One s Own with settings designed by Rex Whistler He also produced a film of Terence Rattigan s The Final Test These films helped boost the careers of new stars including Stewart Granger James Mason Patricia Roc and Margaret Lockwood However he resigned from the Rank Organisation on 23 January 1947 unhappy with the direction of the company 7 He was Hon President of the London School of Economics Film Society 1948 49 a member of the Executive and General Council at the Association of Cine Technicians 1953 1956 Vice Chairman of ACT Films Ltd 1951 1968 and Chairman of the same company from 1968 Minney was also politically active and was twice a candidate for the Labour Party at UK general elections His first attempt was for the newly created Southend East in 1950 when he came a close second to the Conservative candidate In 1955 he stood for Bexley which was won by the Conservative incumbent future party leader and Prime Minister Edward Heath with 28 610 votes 54 27 whilst Minney for Labour won 24 111 votes 45 73 8 In July 1956 Minney went to Peking to speak at the centenary celebrations for George Bernard Shaw This was covered in his book Next Stop Peking Record of a 16 000 Mile Journey Through Russia Siberia and China The Times reviewer 28 November 1957 wrote Mr Minney does not pretend to know He was invited to China to take part in the Shaw centenary celebrations and stayed to do the regular tour and be impressed This is another delegate s view among the many we have lately had from China easily readable superficial Personal life EditMinney married Edith Anne Murielle Fox in 1918 In 1933 he was living at Little Walcott on Bishops Avenue in Hampstead Garden Suburb London they later they lived at Lawford House Manningtree in Essex They had two children Primrose and Robin Paul The first marriage was dissolved and he married Hetty nee Bolsom becoming stepfather of Penelope Janet Chisholm They lived in Hook House Cousley Wood Wadhurst Sussex and Bewl Water reservoir came close to the house when it was filled in 1975 He was a member of the Savage Club Death EditHe died in Ticehurst Sussex on 5 January 1979 aged 83 A memorial service was held at St James s Piccadilly on 5 April 1979 former Labour Prime Minister Sir Harold Wilson MP read the lesson whilst actress Virginia McKenna read a poem from her film Carve Her Name with Pride The address was given by Dulcie Gray and Muriel Pavlow said the prayer of St Francis 9 Filmography EditClive of India 1935 Dear Octopus 1943 Madonna of the Seven Moons 1944 A Place of One s Own 1944 Love Story 1944 They Were Sisters 1945 The Wicked Lady 1945 Caravan 1946 The Magic Bow 1947 The Idol of Paris 1948 Time Gentlemen Please 1952 The Final Test 1953 Carve Her Name with Pride 1958 Bibliography EditNovels Edit Maki 1921 The Road to Delhi 1923 Distant Drums 1935 How Vainly Men 1940 A Woman of France 1945 Nothing to Lose 1946 filmed as Time Gentlemen Please 1952 Bring Out the Drum 1950 The Governor s Wife 1951 Anne of the Sealed Knot 1972 Biographies Edit Clive of India 1931 also 1957 Governor General 1935 a love story about Warren Hastings Gentle Caesar Tsar Nicholas II Charlie Chaplin The Immortal Tramp 1954 Viscount Southwood 1954 Carve Her Name with Pride 1956 Viscount Addison Leader of the Lords 1958 Fanny and the Regent of Siam 1962 I Shall Fear No Evil 1966 Rasputin 1972 3 Puffin Asquith 1973 about Anthony Asquith Lola Montez 1976 Other non fiction Edit Shiva or the Future of India 1929 India Marches Past 1933 Hollywood by Starlight 1935 Midst Himalayan Mists Excursions in Ink Across India by Air The Journalist Night Life of Calcutta Talking of Films 1947 A Stag Party with Men Only 1955 Next Stop Peking 1957 The Private Papers of Hore Belisha 1960 No 10 Downing Street a House in History 1963 The Film Maker and His World 1964 The Edwardian Age 1964 The Two Pillars of Charing Cross 1967 Recollections of George Bernard Shaw 1969 The Tower of London 1970 Hampton Court 1972 Plays Edit Clive of India 1933 Gentle Caesar 1942 They Had His Number 1942 The Red Horizon 1943 The Voice of the People 1950 References Edit Biography at author website Flyleaf notes of The Governor s Lady 1951 Flyleaf notes of The Governor s Lady 1951 R J Minney 12 March 1979 Parliament House of Commons Monday 11 March The Future of India The Times Home screenonline org uk Biography at author website PRODUCER QUITS RANK IN SPLIT OVER POLICY New York Times 24 January 1947 p 18 Home politicsresources net IN MEMORIAM R J Minney Daily Telegraph 6 April 1979 External links EditOfficial website R J Minney at IMDb Family website Brief history on Recalling Jewish Calcutta website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title R J Minney amp oldid 1117207879, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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