John Krish

John Krish first became interested in film at the age of thirteen, when he watched the documentary film, ‘NIGHT MAIL’ (1936). After a failed attempt to join the theatre at the afo of seventeen, he found out that the GPO Film Unit was responsible for his inspiration, and went to Denham to ask for a job. His impertinence won him a position with Dora Wright, the production manager there.

Krish’s first role was as second assistant to Harry Watt [qv] on ‘TARGET FOR TONIGHT’ (1941) and then as assistant to the editor on ‘LISTEN TO BRITAIN’ (1942). From this beginning, he got regular work at Merton Park Studios as an editor. He left there to work on Steel films for another independent film company. His first directing role there was for ‘PATTERN FOR PROGRESS’ (1948). This work got Krish noticed by DATA [qv], who occasionally employed him for human interest stories in Mining Review, when he was not working on other comissions. His credits at this time include, ‘CIVIL DEFENCE’ in Mining Review 6th Year No.11 of July 1953 and ‘RADIO RESCUE’ in 7th Year No.9 of May 1954.

In 1951, Krish became one of the founding employees of British Transport Films [qv]. It was there that he made some of his most famous films, including ‘THE ELEPHANT WILL NEVER FORGET’, originally filmed for Cinegazette No.12 of 1953. Krish believes that this film led to his dismissal from the Film Unit by Edgar Anstey [qv]. This in turn led to Krish’s move into television work, and commercials for the Central Office of Information [qv].

Sources

Interview with John Krish for the National Film Theatre; Date recorded 27/5/2003: NoS Number 345793; Mining Review 6th Year Number 11; Date released July 1953: NoS Number 345829; Mining Review 7th Year Number 9; Date released May 1954: NoS Number 349277; Cinegazette Number 12; Date released 1953.