Gerry Mitchell(1911-1993)
- Production Manager
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Producer
Born in Ancoats, Manchester to Charlotte Hubbard (née Anderson) with three sisters, Gerry was raised by his step father Joseph Mitchell (whose surname he later adopted) before entering the Xaverian College in Manchester.
Upon leaving the Xavarian College, Gerry joined the Kings Own as a regular soldier and witnessed the 2nd Sino-Japanese war, capturing important strategic images on his box browning. These original photos are held by the Imperial War Museum, London.
After returning to the UK from the Far East, Gerry was recruited into the new Royal Armoured Corp which formed part of the British Expeditionary Force campaign against Nazi German forces in France, where he was injured; later to be rescued by a boat which contributed to the flotilla of 'Little Ships'.
During R&R from his duties Gerry courted Betty Cooper and ultimately married her.
Whilst recuperating, Gerry's immediate bedfellow neighbour suggested that when released from service, Gerry should follow him into the British Film Industry. This he did and in 1945, his first production was on nationwide release, 'The Man from Morocco'.
Gerry continued his film career until 1956 when he retired from movies. He immediately started working on television as Production Manager at Granada and later with ABC working on 'Oh Boy' and attending the concept meeting for the new 'man in the street' production which was to become Coronation Street, loosely based on his hometown of Manchester. In 1968, he retired again after a disagreement over the new independent television licensing rules, turning down the position of first controller of London Weekend Television, offered by David Frost of the London Television Consortium.
Upon leaving the Xavarian College, Gerry joined the Kings Own as a regular soldier and witnessed the 2nd Sino-Japanese war, capturing important strategic images on his box browning. These original photos are held by the Imperial War Museum, London.
After returning to the UK from the Far East, Gerry was recruited into the new Royal Armoured Corp which formed part of the British Expeditionary Force campaign against Nazi German forces in France, where he was injured; later to be rescued by a boat which contributed to the flotilla of 'Little Ships'.
During R&R from his duties Gerry courted Betty Cooper and ultimately married her.
Whilst recuperating, Gerry's immediate bedfellow neighbour suggested that when released from service, Gerry should follow him into the British Film Industry. This he did and in 1945, his first production was on nationwide release, 'The Man from Morocco'.
Gerry continued his film career until 1956 when he retired from movies. He immediately started working on television as Production Manager at Granada and later with ABC working on 'Oh Boy' and attending the concept meeting for the new 'man in the street' production which was to become Coronation Street, loosely based on his hometown of Manchester. In 1968, he retired again after a disagreement over the new independent television licensing rules, turning down the position of first controller of London Weekend Television, offered by David Frost of the London Television Consortium.
