A West End stage producer, lured into films, Dean founded Associated
Talking Pictures in the early thirties, the company that was later to
become Ealing Studios.
Among stars he built up were Gracie Fields and George
Formby, both of whom were to top the box-office popularity ratings.
Dean left films when the war started and became head of ENSA (Entertainment's
National Service Association), the government-sponsored body responsible
for bringing live performances to the armed services. For this work
he was awarded the OBE.
