Ralph Smart
Ralph Foster Smart was a film and television producer, director, and writer, born in England to Australian parents.Biography
Smart found work in Britain with Anthony Asquith and later alongside the film director Michael Powell, whom he assisted with 'quota quickies': low-budget B-pictures to meet a legal commitment to the British film industry under the Cinematograph Films Act 1927.
During the Second World War, Smart joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942 and served until 1945. Afterward he worked for the Rank Organisation and Ealing Studios, returning to Australia to direct several films beginning with The Overlanders and including Bitter Springs, addressing the mistreatment of young Aborigines.
Back again in Britain, he became an influential figure in ITC television, producing, directing or writing a number of television series and films, including the 1950s series The Adventures of Robin Hood and The Invisible Man. Later he created and produced the highly successful spy series Danger Man.
In 2000 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for "services to the development of the Australian film industry".
He retired to Australia, and died on 12 February 2001, in Bowen, Queensland.Selected filmography
- A Cottage on Dartmoor - uncredited writer
- The Woodpigeon Patrol - writer, director
- The Star Reporter - writer
- Hotel Splendide - writer
- C.O.D. - writer
- His Lordship - writer
- Born Lucky - writer
- The Murder Party - writer
- The Phantom Light - writer
- Crime Unlimited - writer
- Sweet Success - director
- Convict 99 - writer
- Alf's Button Afloat - writer
- The Good Old Days - story
- Charley's Aunt - writer
- South West Pacific - actor
- Island Target - director
- The Overlanders - writer, associate producer
- Bush Christmas - writer, director, producer
- Eureka Stockade - writer
- Quartet - director
- A Boy, a Girl and a Bike - director
- Bitter Springs - story, director
- Where No Vultures Fly - writer
- Never Take No For an Answer - writer, director
- Curtain Up - director
- Always a Bride - writer, director
- The Adventures of Robin Hood - writer, director
- The Adventures of Sir Lancelot - director
- The Buccaneers - director, producer
- The Flying Scot - co-writer
- The Adventures of Mr. Pastry - director
- William Tell - writer, director, producer
- The Invisible Man - writer, director, producer
- Danger Man - co-creator, writer, director, producer
- Danger Man - co-creator, writer, script editor, executive producer
- Riptide - writer, producer
- My Partner the Ghost - writer
- The Protectors - writer
- Elephant Boy - writer
Writing credits
