Philip Leacock

Philip Leacock is a British-born film and TV director who came to international recognition in the 1950s with realistic documentary-style dramas. The London-born Leacock spent much of his childhood at a liberal English boarding school in the Canary Islands. After a brief stint as a cinematographer for documentary films, Leacock began working as a director on fictional films with a strong realist bent, akin to the films Vittorio de Sica was making in post-war Italy. Films such as his 1952 feature "The Brave Don't Cry," based on a real-life 1950 Scottish mining disaster, had a strong documentary feel despite being scripted. Leacock continued to garner international acclaim with "The Little Kidnappers," a heart-wrenching tale of two young orphans who attempt to "adopt" an infant child. Lured by the promise of Hollywood, Leacock's attempts to break into the American market-the Steve McQueen action vehicle "The War Lover" and the comedy "Tamahine"-were unfortunately met with a muted response. Beginning in the 1970s, Leacock became better known for directing American TV programs, racking up dozens of credits on popular programs such as "Gunsmoke" and "The Waltons."