John Llewellyn Moxey

[paul kersey]

I watched an episode of "Gideon's Way" last night , entitled "State Visit". It featured Alfie Bass in a very rare dramatic role as a German Jew who had become a naturalised British citizen after the War, but was unable to forget or forgive the Germans for the deaths of his fellow countrymen during the War. The state visit of the German President to London brought all of the bad memories flooding back and he decided to seek his revenge. This was another tense episode of an excellent series, and the performances of Alfie Bass and also Gerald Harper as a senior officer in the Metropolitan Police were gripping. The whole episode was of a high quality and the direction by , none other than John Llewellyn Moxey, cranked up the tension. Thank-you.

[Moor Larkin]

This one is from 1956!!

Far too long ago for anyone to remember surely......

[John Llewellyn Moxey]

this one is from 1956!!

Far too long ago for anyone to remember surely......

one i will never forget!!

[Moor Larkin]

one i will never forget!!

Moving forward into 1957, I can understand why Silver Cord was especially special....

[cornershop15]

I haven't forgotten, John!

As I've said before, you directed the first and perhaps best episode of The Baron - Samurai West (filmed July 1965).

You brought out the best from your cast too, especially Raymond Huntley as an embittered POW ...


And Larry Taylor, who played Lee Montague's faithful servant. Quite a surprise to see him in a major role:

He's about to commit hara-kiri in this dramatic scene.

I believe you directed the first colour episode of The Saint as well, The Russian Prisoner. I saw this last week and enjoyed it very much. Like Larry, Joseph Furst played a sympathetic character for once! I know them best as screen villains, of course. Do you remember working on these episodes or have any fond memories of the casts?

Hope you like your birthday presents.

Very Best Wishes,
Cornershop

[Bernardo]

Biggest compliment I can pay is: Mr Moxey's name on the credits inspires confidence that the purchased piece is going to be good.

[John Llewellyn Moxey]

I did my best!!

[madeleymade]

John, you worked on some episodes of Murder, She Wrote. One of these was 'Sing a Song of Murder', set in London. This was filmed in Hollywood. Was there ever planning to film in Britain, as Magnum and Hart TO Hart had done so contemparily with episodes filmed entirely in UK with actors such as Julian Glover, Peter Davison and Gordon Jackson? How did you set about creating a British atmosphere in the studio? Did you want to cast British-based actors rathen than ones living in Hollywood? I hope to be a director once I leave school, and I just wanted to know.

[John Llewellyn Moxey]

It was all shot on a Hollywood Sound Stage. There are a number of British ex-pats living and working over here. The trick was to find them! Good luck with your hoped for career! John

[madeleymade]

Thanks, being British yourself, what do you think of the criticism of that episode and other similar episodes by other directors? Regular criticisms are 'you can see the Hollywood hills looking over the backlot', which is usually unavoiable, 'bad accents', overuse of stock footage, casting of Bernard Fox (!), badly-written dialogue with overuses of words such as 'gracious', 'blimey', and 'guv'. Did you try to avoid anachronisms and stereotypes? For example, in your episode, i have read people criticsing Olivia Hussey's acting, describing it as akin to a highschool production.

[Toscana]

Working my way through Rod Taylors BEARCATS series and found the Assault On San Saba episode was directed by Mr Moxey. Enjoyed it a lot. Must admit I'm a big Rod Taylor fan and was also pleased to find one of my fav baddies Bruce Glover in the show. The series was filmed in 71 which was the same year as Bruce Glover stepped up a notch to play camp Mr. Wint a Bond Villian In Diamonds are Forever. Most of Bearcats was shot at Old Tucson Studios (obvious for an old cowboy fan like me) and though set in the 1900's is a western. I had a quick look on imdb and I think I'm wright in saying it was Mr. Moxeys first go at a western. I can see he went on to do a few Kung Fu episodes a couple of years later which are proper cowboy shows but this Bearcats seems to be his first. I would like to know how he found working in this very American setting was like first time. Did he do any filming at Old Tucson and did he bump into any of the big names working there in 71 like Wayne, Eastwood, Sturges or Dean Martin. Or if he was real lucky Jack Elam. Bearcats was made by Taylors production company RODLOR so he was also directing the boss. What was it like? Also Dennis Cole, who sadly died in 2009, what a shame he didn't go on to higher things I thought he had a very good style and did well working off of Taylor as second lead.

[Marky B]

Currently watching John's Murder In The Electric Cathedral,an episode of Murder She Wrote with the delightful Mildred Natwick,Steve Forrest and Richard Herd,the actor often mistaken for Karl Malden!
Ta Ta
Marky B

[Windyridge]

Currently watching John's Murder In The Electric Cathedral,an episode of Murder She Wrote with the delightful Mildred Natwick,

One of the funniest actresses of her generation, or indeed any other. Her performance in Barefoot in the Park is very special.

[Marky B]

One of the funniest actresses of her generation, or indeed any other. Her performance in Barefoot in the Park is very special.

Yes. I remember her in The Snoop Sisters with the equally delightful Helen Hayes.
Ta Ta
Marky B

[madeleymade]

So, John, how do you order the dressing of the set in Murder She Wrote to look like London?
Did you want to embrace or avoid stereotypes?
Did you work on the backlot?
Did you consider location filming?

[cornershop15]

Who is this with you, John? The caption reads 'Unknown and John Moxey':


It's among the hundreds of brilliant stills that came up in my search for Armchair Theatre at Rex Features. Much easier to find here:

John Moxey at Rex Features

Is that Sydney Newman standing next to you in the first picture? Some of them reppear in this link, for one of the plays you directed:

The Scent of Fear

I do wish we were allowed to view these images in normal size. The mystery actress with you in the photograph doesn't appear to be on that page so it must be a different Armchair Theatre production. I've looked at the casts of the other plays you directed in 1959 and can only think of Margaret Vines. Are you on the set of No Gun, No Guilt?

Even if I'm wrong, you will surely be glad to see this preview added to the thread. From the 15-21 March 1959 TVTimes:

[Dame Starry]

2012 - 49th Annual Emmy® Recipients:



Promotion - Program - Campaign
• KBTC Mystery Vignettes; KBTC Public Television; John Llewellyn Moxey, Producer/Director; Michael Peters, Videographer/Editor

Congratulations, John - you're always a winner to us at Britmovie. xx

[John Llewellyn Moxey]

It is Sydney, a remarkable and talented man.

[John Llewellyn Moxey]

Thank you !!

[madeleymade]

So, John, how do you order the dressing of the set in Murder She Wrote to look like London?
Did you want to embrace or avoid stereotypes?
Did you work on the backlot?
Did you consider location filming as other Uni-shows like Magnum did.