Biography
Oxford-educated moviemaker Charles Frend began as a film editor, splicing together the British Hitchcock efforts
Waltzes From Vienna (1933),
Secret Agent (1936),
Sabotage (1936) and
Young and Innocent (1937). For several years, Frend was headquartered at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's British facilities at Elstree, where he edited MGM's
A Yank at Oxford (1937),
The Citadel (1938) and Goodbye Mr. Chips (1939). Frend graduated to director in 1942, helming a series of above-average propaganda pictures and documentaries. After the war, several prestigious assignments were sent Frend's way, including
Scott of the Antarctic (1949) and
The Cruel Sea (1953). While most of his films were large-scale and dramatic in nature, Frend was also capable of turning out such modest comedies as
A Run For Your Money (1949) and
Barnacle Bill (1958). Charles Frend's last credit as principal director was 1967's
The Sky Bike; he closed out his career as one of the second-unit directors for David Lean's
Ryan's Daughter (1969). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide