Larry Allen
Interview date(s): 11 April 1996
Interviewer(s): Rodney Giesler
Production Media: audio
Duration (mins): 218
SUMMARY: Allen discusses his childhood in Wales, his experiences during WWII and his career as an animator. His recollections are rather unfocussed, however, and few details relating to filmmaking practice are provided. This interview has been edited.
behp0381-larry-allen-summary
Interviewed by Rodney Giesler on 11.4.96
SIDE ONE
Born 1917 in Pen-y-Darren, Merthyr Tydfil. Father a coalminer. 6 brothers and sisters went on stage. Grandfather a travelling showman (Ally Taylor). Brought up by him until he was 10. Never went to school but had a huge library. Performed on the stage with him. Returned to live with parents, known as Winnie and Danny. Strangeness of life with brothers and sisters. Poverty during the Depression. Father opened an old mine and sold coal from a horse and cart to the big houses. Grandfather retired to Coventry, and went there to live with him after winter of despair. Helped uncle sell fruit and vegetables. Grandfather taught him to read and write. Drew on old film leader and ran it through a projector. Made flip books [flicker-books]. Drew in halfpenny notebooks and sold them for a penny. Sent to school finally at 13. Caught up quickly. Made cardboard ‘computer’: rotating cards and slots.
SIDE TWO
Had a friend with a mutual interest in films. Served apprenticeship with Hillman Car Company. Then with Humber. Memories of Irishmen on the line. Using engineering skills, built his own multi-plane rostrum. Set up film company, Challenge Film Productions with Hughie Orr, making publicity films for local businesses. Worked as a photographer for Swallow Sidecars, forerunner of Jaguar Cars. Supported himself also as a freelance toolmaker. Talks about his work with GEC [General Electrical Company]. Of cameras he has built. Working for the BBC. Work for the Fleur de Lys pie Company. Big stills business in family pictures at the end of the war. More on William Lyons and Jaguars.
SIDE THREE
Start of the War [World War 2] Evening working as relief projectionist in cinemas in Coventry. Produced advert slides. Working with local industrial clients. Made training films for the Home Guard. Summoned to meet Arthur Elton to train animators for the Ministry of Information. Met Frank Rodker. Called up in 1941. Given Reserved Occupation status helping to assemble aircraft at Coventry aerodrome. Lost aunt and cousin in early hit and run raid.
SIDE FOUR
Memories of the bombing of Coventry. Post-war jobs. Boom in family photography with returning servicemen. Difficulty in getting film stock. Sands Hunter dealt in Army surplus in Bedford Street. Dupont Film. Had offer from Rank’s animation set-up with David Hand at Cookham. Encounter with John Halas [BEHP Interview 582]. Goes into caravan business.
SIDE FIVE
Designing rostrums. Developing video discs with GEC. Other projects including confrontation with Ken Dodd over the Diddymen.
[END]
Born in Merthyr Tydfil, Larry Allen first began producing animations as a boy by drawing directly onto pieces of film salvaged from nearby cinemas. He later relocated to Coventry where he worked as an engineer at the Hillman Humber car factory. He continued work on animations in his spare time, building his own rostrum camera and establishing the company Challenge Film Productions, which made animated publicity films. The studio was bombed during WWII, but Allen continued to produce films into the 1950s, particularly to promote ‘Fleur De Lys’ Pies, as well as working as a stills photographer and an inventor.
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