Ian MacNaughton Movies
The man who bravely took the helm for the groundbreaking comedy series Monty Python's Flying Circus, director Ian MacNaughton proved an invaluable asset to the series in his tireless efforts to keep the show afloat despite the skepticism of BBC executives. A native of Glasgow who initially pursued a career in medicine, it wasn't until serving in the Royal Marines during World War II that MacNaughton began to harbor a love for show business. His association with the Globe Players (a Royal Marine amateur theater group) prompted the soldier to consider a career as an actor, and roles in such films as X the Unknown(1956) and Lawrence of Arabia (1962) found his career in front of the camera flourishing. Teaming with British comedy legend Spike Milligan in the early '60s, MacNaughton stepped behind the camera for Q5 (as well as subsequent installments Q6 through Q9). With the success of Monty Python's Flying Circus propelling him, MacNaughton also assumed directorial duties for the German version of the series, as well as the filmed sequences of Monty Python: Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982). In addition to his work with the Pythons, MacNaughton would take the helm for the feature Le Petomane (1979). The director resided in Germany with wife Ike Ott in his later years, where he would find frequent work in television and theater. After suffering massive injuries in a 2001 car accident, Ian MacNaughton died in Munich on December 10, 2002. He was 76. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1956
X the Unknown is a well-crafted imitation of the Quatermass British sci-fi pictures of the 1950s. A group of soldiers on maneuvers in Scotland stumble across a gravel pit which emanates an unusual amount of radiation. Several deaths occur before the radioactive material is mysteriously stolen. Researcher Dr. Adam Royston (Dean Jagger) speculates that the thief is some sort of inhuman monstrosity dwelling at the Earth's core. He points out that past radioactive disturbances have been occurring at 50-year intervals, each followed by sudden deaths and the disappearance of the material. Royston suggests that the unknown monster has been resuscitated by humankind's recent atomic experiments. Sure enough, the monster manifests itself as a huge slab of glowing radioactive mud (laugh now if you must -- you won't laugh when you see it). X the Unknown works well within its limited budget; unfortunately, many TV prints have been truncated, robbing some of the best horrific moments of their full impact. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dean Jagger, Edward Chapman, (more)
- 1953
The rousing adventure novel by Sir Walter Scott was adapted for this swashbuckler. Richard Todd stars as Robert Roy MacGregor, a clan leader in 18th century Scotland attempting to lead his fellow countrymen in a rebellion against the heavy-handed rule of England's King George I. When the king replaces a sympathetic politician with a lackey working against Rob Roy, it's up to the hardy Scotsman to defeat his enemies without the support of a powerful ally, while also romancing and marrying his true love (Glynis Johns). Rob Roy, the Highland Rogue (1953) was the last of 21 British films produced jointly by Disney and RKO. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Todd, Glynis Johns, (more)
- 1952
A small Scottish island has never paid its mandatory road tax. This brings forth an investigating committee of Parliament members, including the formidable Ronald Squire. The committee heads to the delinquent Hebridean isle, where they succumb to the easygoing charm of the residents. Cowritten by director John Eldridge, Laxdale Hall was an adequate imitation of the Ealing farces (notably Tight Little Island), with an overload of whimsy in place of originality. out to the Hebridean isle to check into this breach of law. The film made it to the States under the title Scotch on the Rocks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ronald Squire
