Poster of The Magic Box

The Magic Box

Plot: Now old, ill, poor, and largely forgotten, William Freise-Greene was once very different. As young and handsome William Green he changed his name to include his first wife's so that it sounded more impressive for the photographic portrait work he was so good at
Release Date: Tuesday, January 1 1952
72 years ago
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Scroll to Crew

Cast

Portrait of Robert DonatRobert Donat
Robert Donat was
46 in The Magic Box
as 'William Friese-Greene'.
Sat, Mar 18 1905 –
Mon, Jun 09 1958
Portrait of Margaret JohnstonMargaret Johnston
Margaret Johnston was
33 in The Magic Box
as 'Edith Harrison Friese-Greene'.
Sat, Aug 10 1918 –
Sat, Jun 29 2002
Portrait of Maria SchellMaria Schell
Maria Schell was
25 in The Magic Box
as 'Helena Friese-Greene'.
Fri, Jan 15 1926 –
Tue, Apr 26 2005
Portrait of Renée AshersonRenée Asherson
Renée Asherson was
36 in The Magic Box
as 'Miss Tagg'.
Wed, May 19 1915 –
Thu, Oct 30 2014
Portrait of Richard AttenboroughRichard Attenborough
Richard Attenborough was
28 in The Magic Box
as 'Jack Carter'.
Wed, Aug 29 1923 –
Sun, Aug 24 2014
Portrait of Robert BeattyRobert Beatty
Robert Beatty was
42 in The Magic Box
as 'Lord Beaverbrook'.
Tue, Oct 19 1909 –
Tue, Mar 03 1992
Portrait of Martin BoddeyMartin Boddey
Martin Boddey was
44 in The Magic Box
as 'Sitter in Bath Studio'.
Tue, Apr 16 1907 –
Fri, Oct 24 1975
Portrait of Edward ChapmanEdward Chapman
Edward Chapman was
50 in The Magic Box
as 'Father in Family Group'.
Sun, Oct 13 1901 –
Tue, Aug 09 1977
Portrait of John CharlesworthJohn Charlesworth
John Charlesworth was
16 in The Magic Box
as 'Graham Friese-Greene'.
Tue, Nov 12 1935 –
Sat, Apr 02 1960
Portrait of Maurice ColbourneMaurice Colbourne
Maurice Colbourne was
57 in The Magic Box
as 'Bride's Father in wedding group'.
Mon, Sep 24 1894 –
Wed, Sep 22 1965
Portrait of Roland CulverRoland Culver
Roland Culver was
51 in The Magic Box
as '1st Company Promoter'.
Tue, Aug 21 1900 –
Thu, Mar 01 1984
Portrait of John Howard DaviesJohn Howard Davies
John Howard Davies was
12 in The Magic Box
as 'Maurice Friese-Greene'.
Thu, Mar 09 1939 –
Mon, Aug 22 2011
Portrait of Michael DenisonMichael Denison
Michael Denison was
36 in The Magic Box
as 'Reporter'.
Mon, Nov 01 1915 –
Wed, Jul 22 1998
Portrait of Joan DowlingJoan Dowling
Joan Dowling was
23 in The Magic Box
as 'Maggie'.
Fri, Jan 06 1928 –
Wed, Mar 31 1954
Portrait of Henry EdwardsHenry Edwards
Henry Edwards was
69 in The Magic Box
as 'Fox Talbot's Butler'.
Mon, Sep 18 1882 –
Sun, Nov 02 1952
Portrait of Mary EllisMary Ellis
Mary Ellis was
54 in The Magic Box
as 'Nell Collings'.
Mon, Jun 14 1897 –
Thu, Jan 30 2003
Portrait of Marjorie FieldingMarjorie Fielding
Marjorie Fielding was
59 in The Magic Box
as 'Elderly Viscountess'.
Wed, Feb 17 1892 –
Sat, Dec 29 1956
Portrait of Robert FlemyngRobert Flemyng
Robert Flemyng was
39 in The Magic Box
as 'Doctor'.
Wed, Jan 03 1912 –
Mon, May 22 1995
Portrait of Leo GennLeo Genn
Leo Genn was
46 in The Magic Box
as 'Maida Vale Doctor'.
Wed, Aug 09 1905 –
Thu, Jan 26 1978
Portrait of Marius GoringMarius Goring
Marius Goring was
39 in The Magic Box
as 'House Agent'.
Thu, May 23 1912 –
Wed, Sep 30 1998
Portrait of Everley GreggEverley Gregg
Everley Gregg was
48 in The Magic Box
as 'Bridegroom's Mother'.
Mon, Oct 26 1903 –
Tue, Jun 09 1959
Portrait of Joyce GrenfellJoyce Grenfell
Joyce Grenfell was
41 in The Magic Box
as 'Mrs Claire'.
Thu, Feb 10 1910 –
Fri, Nov 30 1979
Portrait of Robertson HareRobertson Hare
Robertson Hare was
60 in The Magic Box
as 'Sitter in Bath Studio'.
Wed, Dec 16 1891 –
Thu, Jan 25 1979
Portrait of Kathleen HarrisonKathleen Harrison
Kathleen Harrison was
59 in The Magic Box
as 'Mother in Family Group'.
Mon, Feb 22 1892 –
Thu, Dec 07 1995
Portrait of William HartnellWilliam Hartnell
William Hartnell was
43 in The Magic Box
as 'Recruiting Sergeant'.
Wed, Jan 08 1908 –
Wed, Apr 23 1975
Portrait of Joan HicksonJoan Hickson
Joan Hickson was
45 in The Magic Box
as 'Mrs Stukely'.
Sun, Aug 05 1906 –
Sat, Oct 17 1998
Portrait of Thora HirdThora Hird
Thora Hird was
40 in The Magic Box
as 'Doctor's Housekeeper'.
Sun, May 28 1911 –
Sat, Mar 15 2003
Portrait of Stanley HollowayStanley Holloway
Stanley Holloway was
61 in The Magic Box
as 'Broker's Man'.
Wed, Oct 01 1890 –
Sat, Jan 30 1982
Portrait of Patrick HoltPatrick Holt
Patrick Holt was
39 in The Magic Box
as 'Sitter in Bath Studio'.
Wed, Jan 31 1912 –
Tue, Oct 12 1993
Portrait of Michael HordernMichael Hordern
Michael Hordern was
40 in The Magic Box
as 'Official Receiver'.
Tue, Oct 03 1911 –
Tue, May 02 1995
Portrait of Jack HulbertJack Hulbert
Jack Hulbert was
59 in The Magic Box
as 'Holborn Policeman'.
Fri, Apr 22 1892 –
Sat, Mar 25 1978
Portrait of Sid JamesSid James
Sid James was
38 in The Magic Box
as 'Army Sergeant'.
Thu, May 08 1913 –
Mon, Apr 26 1976
Portrait of Glynis JohnsGlynis Johns
Glynis Johns was
28 in The Magic Box
as 'May Jones'.
Fri, Oct 05 1923 –
Thu, Jan 04 2024
Portrait of Mervyn JohnsMervyn Johns
Mervyn Johns was
52 in The Magic Box
as 'Goitz'.
Fri, Feb 17 1899 –
Sun, Sep 06 1992
Portrait of Barry JonesBarry Jones
Barry Jones was
58 in The Magic Box
as 'Doctor'.
Sun, Mar 05 1893 –
Fri, May 01 1981
Portrait of Peter JonesPeter Jones
Peter Jones was
31 in The Magic Box
as 'Industry Man'.
Sat, Jun 12 1920 –
Mon, Apr 10 2000
Portrait of James KenneyJames Kenney
James Kenney was
21 in The Magic Box
as 'Kenneth Friese-Greene'.
Sun, Jul 20 1930 –
Tue, Jan 13 1987
Portrait of Ann LancasterAnn Lancaster
Ann Lancaster was
31 in The Magic Box
as 'Bridesmaid in Wedding Group'.
Wed, May 05 1920 –
Sat, Oct 31 1970
Portrait of Herbert LomasHerbert Lomas
Herbert Lomas was
64 in The Magic Box
as 'Warehouse Manager'.
Mon, Jan 17 1887 –
Wed, Apr 12 1961
Portrait of John LongdenJohn Longden
John Longden was
51 in The Magic Box
as 'Speaker in Connaught Rooms'.
Sun, Nov 11 1900 –
Wed, May 26 1971
Portrait of Bessie LoveBessie Love
Bessie Love was
53 in The Magic Box
as 'Bride's Mother in Wedding Group'.
Fri, Sep 09 1898 –
Sat, Apr 26 1986
Portrait of Miles MallesonMiles Malleson
Miles Malleson was
63 in The Magic Box
as 'Orchestra Conductor'.
Thu, May 24 1888 –
Sat, Mar 15 1969
Portrait of Garry MarshGarry Marsh
Garry Marsh was
49 in The Magic Box
as 'Company Promoter'.
Wed, May 21 1902 –
Fri, Mar 06 1981
Portrait of Muir MathiesonMuir Mathieson
Muir Mathieson was
40 in The Magic Box
as 'Sir Arthur Sullivan'.
Tue, Jan 24 1911 –
Sat, Aug 02 1975
Portrait of A.E. MatthewsA.E. Matthews
A.E. Matthews was
82 in The Magic Box
as 'Old Gentleman'.
Sun, Nov 21 1869 –
Sun, Jul 20 1969
Portrait of Bernard MilesBernard Miles
Bernard Miles was
44 in The Magic Box
as 'Cousin Alfred'.
Fri, Sep 27 1907 –
Fri, Jun 14 1991
Portrait of Richard MurdochRichard Murdoch
Richard Murdoch was
44 in The Magic Box
as 'Sitter in Bath Studio'.
Sat, Apr 06 1907 –
Tue, Oct 09 1990
Portrait of John McCallumJohn McCallum
John McCallum was
33 in The Magic Box
as 'Sitter in Bath Studio'.
Thu, Mar 14 1918 –
Wed, Feb 03 2010
Portrait of David OakeDavid Oake
David Oake was
>> in The Magic Box
as 'Claude Friese-Greene'.
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Laurence OlivierLaurence Olivier
Laurence Olivier was
44 in The Magic Box
as 'Police Constable 94-B'.
Wed, May 22 1907 –
Tue, Jul 11 1989
Portrait of Cecil ParkerCecil Parker
Cecil Parker was
54 in The Magic Box
as '1st Platform Man'.
Thu, Sep 02 1897 –
Tue, Apr 20 1971
Portrait of Frank PettingellFrank Pettingell
Frank Pettingell was
61 in The Magic Box
as 'Bridegroom's Father in Wedding Group'.
Thu, Jan 01 1891 –
Thu, Feb 17 1966
Portrait of Norman PierceNorman Pierce
Norman Pierce was
51 in The Magic Box
as 'Speaker in Connaught Rooms'.
Wed, Sep 05 1900 –
Fri, Mar 22 1968
Portrait of Eric PortmanEric Portman
Eric Portman was
50 in The Magic Box
as 'Arthur Collings'.
Sat, Jul 13 1901 –
Sun, Dec 07 1969
Portrait of Dennis PriceDennis Price
Dennis Price was
36 in The Magic Box
as 'Harold'.
Wed, Jun 23 1915 –
Sat, Oct 06 1973
Portrait of Michael RedgraveMichael Redgrave
Michael Redgrave was
43 in The Magic Box
as 'Mr. Lege'.
Fri, Mar 20 1908 –
Thu, Mar 21 1985
Portrait of Peter ReynoldsPeter Reynolds
Peter Reynolds was
26 in The Magic Box
as 'Bridegroom in Wedding Group'.
Sun, Aug 16 1925 –
Tue, Apr 22 1975
Portrait of Margaret RutherfordMargaret Rutherford
Margaret Rutherford was
59 in The Magic Box
as 'Lady Pond'.
Wed, May 11 1892 –
Mon, May 22 1972
Portrait of Janette ScottJanette Scott
Janette Scott was
13 in The Magic Box
as 'Ethel Friese-Greene'.
Wed, Dec 14 1938
Portrait of Ronald ShinerRonald Shiner
Ronald Shiner was
48 in The Magic Box
as 'Fairground Barker'.
Mon, Jun 08 1903 –
Wed, Jun 29 1966
Portrait of Sheila SimSheila Sim
Sheila Sim was
29 in The Magic Box
as 'Nursemaid'.
Mon, Jun 05 1922 –
Tue, Jan 19 2016
Portrait of Oda SlobodskayaOda Slobodskaya
Oda Slobodskaya was
>> in The Magic Box
as 'Soloist at Bath Concert'.
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of John StuartJohn Stuart
John Stuart was
53 in The Magic Box
as '2nd Platform Man at Connaught'.
Sun, Jul 17 1898 –
Wed, Oct 17 1979
Portrait of Marianne StoneMarianne Stone
Marianne Stone was
29 in The Magic Box
as 'Bride in Wedding Group'.
Wed, Aug 23 1922 –
Mon, Dec 21 2009
Portrait of Basil SydneyBasil Sydney
Basil Sydney was
57 in The Magic Box
as 'William Fox-Talbot'.
Mon, Apr 23 1894 –
Wed, Jan 10 1968
Portrait of Ernest ThesigerErnest Thesiger
Ernest Thesiger was
72 in The Magic Box
as 'Earl'.
Tue, Jan 14 1879 –
Sat, Jan 14 1961
Portrait of Sybil ThorndikeSybil Thorndike
Sybil Thorndike was
69 in The Magic Box
as 'Sitter in Bath Studio'.
Sun, Oct 22 1882 –
Wed, Jun 09 1976
Portrait of David TomlinsonDavid Tomlinson
David Tomlinson was
34 in The Magic Box
as 'Lab Asst'.
Mon, May 07 1917 –
Sat, Jun 24 2000
Portrait of Cecil TrouncerCecil Trouncer
Cecil Trouncer was
>> in The Magic Box
as 'John Rudge'.
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Michael TrubshaweMichael Trubshawe
Michael Trubshawe was
46 in The Magic Box
as 'Sitter in Bath Studio'.
Thu, Dec 07 1905 –
Thu, Mar 21 1985
Portrait of Peter UstinovPeter Ustinov
Peter Ustinov was
30 in The Magic Box
as 'Industry Man'.
Sat, Apr 16 1921 –
Sun, Mar 28 2004
Portrait of Frederick ValkFrederick Valk
Frederick Valk was
56 in The Magic Box
as 'Maurice Guttenburg'.
Mon, Jun 10 1895 –
Mon, Jul 23 1956
Portrait of Amy VenessAmy Veness
Amy Veness was
75 in The Magic Box
as 'Grandmother in Wedding Group'.
Fri, Feb 25 1876 –
Thu, Sep 22 1960
Portrait of Charles VictorCharles Victor
Charles Victor was
55 in The Magic Box
as 'Industry Man'.
Sun, Feb 09 1896 –
Thu, Dec 23 1965
Portrait of Kay WalshKay Walsh
Kay Walsh was
40 in The Magic Box
as 'Hotel Receptionist'.
Wed, Nov 15 1911 –
Sat, Apr 16 2005
Portrait of Norman WatsonNorman Watson
Norman Watson was
>> in The Magic Box
as 'Doctor in Connaught Rooms'.
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Emlyn WilliamsEmlyn Williams
Emlyn Williams was
46 in The Magic Box
as 'Bank Manager'.
Sun, Nov 26 1905 –
Fri, Sep 25 1987
Portrait of Harcourt WilliamsHarcourt Williams
Harcourt Williams was
71 in The Magic Box
as 'Tom'.
Tue, Mar 30 1880 –
Fri, Dec 13 1957
Portrait of Googie WithersGoogie Withers
Googie Withers was
34 in The Magic Box
as 'Sitter in Bath Studio'.
Mon, Mar 12 1917 –
Fri, Jul 15 2011
Portrait of Joan YoungJoan Young
Joan Young was
48 in The Magic Box
as 'Glove Shop Colleague'.
Sun, Feb 01 1903 –
Wed, Oct 10 1984
Portrait of John SharpJohn Sharp
John Sharp was
31 in The Magic Box
as 'Film Society Member (uncredited)'.
Thu, Aug 05 1920 –
Thu, Nov 26 1992

Crew

Portrait of John BoultingJohn Boulting
John Boulting was
38 in The Magic Box
as 'Director'
Fri, Nov 21 1913 –
Mon, Jun 17 1985
Portrait of Jack CardiffJack Cardiff
Jack Cardiff was
37 in The Magic Box
as 'Director of Photography'
Fri, Sep 18 1914 –
Wed, Apr 22 2009
Portrait of Cliff OwenCliff Owen
Cliff Owen was
32 in The Magic Box
as 'Assistant Director'
Tue, Apr 22 1919 –
Tue, Nov 01 1994
Portrait of Max VarnelMax Varnel
Max Varnel was
26 in The Magic Box
as 'Assistant Director'
Sat, Mar 21 1925 –
Mon, Jan 15 1996
Portrait of Harold V. KingHarold V. King
Harold V. King was
44 in The Magic Box
as 'Sound Director'
Sun, Nov 03 1907 –
Fri, May 22 1959
Portrait of John RedwayJohn Redway
John Redway was
>> in The Magic Box
as 'Casting Director'
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Eric AmblerEric Ambler
Eric Ambler was
42 in The Magic Box
as 'Screenplay'
Mon, Jun 28 1909 –
Thu, Oct 22 1998
Portrait of Ronald NeameRonald Neame
Ronald Neame was
40 in The Magic Box
as 'Producer'
Sun, Apr 23 1911 –
Wed, Jun 16 2010
Portrait of Richard BestRichard Best
Richard Best was
35 in The Magic Box
as 'Editor'
Wed, Jun 28 1916 –
Sun, Dec 19 2004
Portrait of William AlwynWilliam Alwyn
William Alwyn was
46 in The Magic Box
as 'Original Music Composer'
Tue, Nov 07 1905 –
Thu, Sep 12 1985
Portrait of John BryanJohn Bryan
John Bryan was
40 in The Magic Box
as 'Production Design'
Sat, Aug 12 1911 –
Tue, Jun 10 1969
Portrait of Muir MathiesonMuir Mathieson
Muir Mathieson was
40 in The Magic Box
as 'Conductor'
Tue, Jan 24 1911 –
Sat, Aug 02 1975
Portrait of Arthur IbbetsonArthur Ibbetson
Arthur Ibbetson was
29 in The Magic Box
as 'Assistant Camera'
Fri, Sep 08 1922 –
Sun, Oct 19 1997
Portrait of Bob McNaughtBob McNaught
Bob McNaught was
37 in The Magic Box
as 'Production Manager'
Fri, Jan 01 1915 –
Sun, Nov 28 1976
Portrait of Julia SquireJulia Squire
Julia Squire was
25 in The Magic Box
as 'Costume Designer'
Fri, Feb 26 1926 –
Wed, Aug 09 1989
Portrait of George MinassianGeorge Minassian
George Minassian was
36 in The Magic Box
as 'Camera Technician'
Thu, Jul 01 1915 –
Thu, Mar 04 2004
Portrait of Ray AllisterRay Allister
Ray Allister was
>> in The Magic Box
as 'Book'
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of T. Hopewell AshT. Hopewell Ash
T. Hopewell Ash was
>> in The Magic Box
as 'Art Direction'
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Herbert J. BirdHerbert J. Bird
Herbert J. Bird was
>> in The Magic Box
as 'Sound Mixer'
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Harold FletcherHarold Fletcher
Harold Fletcher was
38 in The Magic Box
as 'Makeup Artist'
Wed, Dec 24 1913 –
Sat, Jan 01 2005
Portrait of Nora BentleyNora Bentley
Nora Bentley was
>> in The Magic Box
as 'Hairdresser'
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Joan BridgeJoan Bridge
Joan Bridge was
39 in The Magic Box
as 'Other'
Wed, Mar 13 1912 –
Tue, Dec 08 2009
Portrait of R. Howard CricksR. Howard Cricks
R. Howard Cricks was
>> in The Magic Box
as 'Thanks'
Unknown Birthday