John Mortimer Biography (1923-)

Full name, John Clifford Mortimer; born April 21, 1923, in Hampstead, London,England; son of Clifford (a barrister) and Kathleen May (maiden name, Smith)Mortimer; married Penelope Ruth Fletcher (some sources cite Penelope Dimont;a writer), 1949 (divorced, 1972); married Penelope Gollop, 1972; children: (first marriage) Sally (a writer), Jeremy; (second marriage) Emily, Rosamond;stepchildren: Madelon Lee, Caroline, Julia, Deborah.

Nationality: British
Gender: Male
Occupation: Writer
Birth Details: April 21, 1923; London, United Kingdom

Famous Works

CREDITS
Film Work
Associate Producer
Lunch Hour, London Films, 1962
Television Appearances
Miniseries
Himself, The Lives and Loves of a She Devil (also known as SheDevil), BBC, 1986 then Arts and Entertainment, 1987
Specials
The Alistair Cooke Salute, PBS, 1992
"Rumpole on Trial," Rumpole of the Bailey, Series VII, Thames Television, c. 1995 broadcast on Mystery!, PBS.
WRITINGS
Stage Plays
The Dock Brief (based on his radio play) [and] What Shall We Tell Caroline? (double-bill), produced at Lyric Opera House, Hammersmith, England, then Garrick Theatre, London, 1958 later New York City, 1961 both published in Three Plays, Elek (London), 1958 and in Five Plays (The Dock Brief also published in Plays).
I Spy, produced at Salisbury Playhouse, Salisbury, England, then Palm Beach, FL, both 1959 published in Three Plays, Elek, 1958 and in Five Plays.
The Wrong Side of the Park, produced at Cambridge Theatre, then St. Martin's Theatre, London, 1960 published by Heinemann (London), 1960
Lunch Hour, produced at Salisbury Playhouse, 1960 then Criterion Theatre, London, 1961 published by Samuel French (New York City), 1961 and inLunch Hour and Other Plays and Plays.
Collect Your Hand Baggage, produced at London Academy of Music andDramatic Art, London, 1962 published by Samuel French, 1960 and in LunchHour and Other Plays and Five Plays.
Two Stars for Comfort, produced at Garrick Theatre, 1962 publishedby Methuen (London), 1962 and in Plays.
The Judge, produced at Deutsches Schauspielhaus, Hamburg, West Germany (now Germany), then London and Cambridge Theatre, 1967 published by Methuen, 1967 and in Plays.
Call Me a Liar (based on his television play), produced in London,1968 published in Lunch Hour and Other Plays and in The TelevisionPlaywright: Ten Plays for BBC Television, edited by Michael Barry, Hill& Wang (New York City), 1960
Come As You Are (contains Bermondsey, Gloucester Road, Marble Arch, and Mill Hill), produced at New Theatre, London, 1970 published as Come As You Are: Four Short Plays, Methuen, 1971 and in Plays.
A Voyage 'round My Father (based on his radio play), produced at Greenwich Theatre, 1970 then Haymarket Theatre Royal, London, 1971 published by Methuen, 1971 and in Plays.
(With others) Conflicts, produced in London, 1971
Collaborators, produced at Duchess Theatre, London, 1973 publishedby Eyre Methuen (London), 1973 and in Plays.
The Bells of Hell (revised version of The Prince of Darkness), produced in Richmond, England, then Garrick Theatre, 1977 published by Samuel French, 1978
Heaven and Hell (contains The Fear of Heaven [based on hisradio play Mr. Luby's Fear of Heaven], published by Samuel French, 1978 and in Edwin and Other Plays, and The Prince of Darkness, published in Edwin and Other Plays), produced at Greenwich Theatre, 1977
John Mortimer's Casebook (includes The Dock Brief, Interlude, and The Prince of Darkness), produced at Young Vic Theatre,London, 1982
When That I Was, produced at Arts Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada,1982
Contributor of Sketches
One to Another, produced in London, 1959 published by Samuel French (London), 1960
One over the Eight, produced in London, 1961
Changing Gear, produced in Nottingham, England, 1965
Adaptor
I, Claudius (based on the novels I, Claudius and Claudius the God by Robert Graves), produced at Queen's Theatre, London, 1972
A Christmas Carol (based on the novel by Charles Dickens), produced by Royal Shakespeare Company, 1994 published as Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Samuel French (New York City and London), 1995
Translator
A Flea in Her Ear (based on the play by Georges-Leon-Jules-Marie Feydeau), produced at National Theatre Company, Old Vic Theatre, London, 1966then Tucson, AZ, 1979 published by Samuel French (London), 1968 and in Three Boulevard Farces.
Cat among the Pigeons (based on the play by Georges-Leon-Jules-Marie Feydeau), produced at Prince of Wales Theatre, London, 1969 then MilwaukeeRepertory Theatre, Milwaukee, WI, 1971 published by Samuel French, 1970
The Captain of Koepenick (based on a play by Carl Zuckmayer), produced by National Theatre Company, Old Vic Theatre, 1971 published by Methuen,1971
The Lady from Maxim's (based on the play by Georges-Leon-Jules-Marie Feydeau), produced by National Theatre Company, Lyttleton Theatre, London,1977 published by Heinemann, 1977 and in Three Boulevard Farces.
A Little Hotel on the Side (based on the play by Georges-Leon-Jules-Marie Feydeau and Maurice Desvalliers), produced by National Theatre Company, Olivier Theatre, London, 1984 then Belasco Theatre, New York City, 1992 published in Three Boulevard Farces.
Die Fledermaus (based on a libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halevy), music by Johann Straus, produced in London, 1989 published by Viking,1989
Screenplays
(With Lewis Gilbert and Vernon Harris) Ferry to Hong Kong, J. Arthur Rank, 1959
(With Truman Capote and William Archibald) The Innocents, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1961
Guns of Darkness, Warner Bros., 1962
(With others) I Thank a Fool, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1962
Lunch Hour (based on his play), London Films, 1962
The Running Man (also known as Carol Reed's The Running Man), Columbia, 1963
(With Penelope Mortimer) Bunny Lake Is Missing, Columbia, 1965
A Flea in Her Ear (also known as La puce a l'oreille), Twentieth Century-Fox, 1968
John and Mary, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1969
Maschenka (also known as Mashenka), 1987
Tea with Mussolini (also known as Un te con Mussolini), G2Films, 1999
Teleplays
Series
(With others) BBC-3, BBC, 1965-1966
Rumpole of the Bailey, Thames Television, 1978-1979 1983 1987-19881991 and 1992 broadcast as episodes of the series Mystery!, PBS, beginning in 1984
Rumpole of the Bailey, Series VI, Thames Television, c. 1993 broadcast on Mystery!, PBS.
Rumpole of the Bailey, Series VII, Thames Television, c. 1995 broadcast on Mystery!, PBS.
Miniseries
Will Shakespeare (adapted from his novel), Associated Television,1978
Brideshead Revisited (based on a novel by Evelyn Waugh), Granada Television, then PBS, 1981
Paradise Postponed (adapted from his novel), Thames Television, 1986
(With Colin Rogers and Martyn Friend) Summer's Lease (adapted fromhis novel), BBC, 1989 then PBS, 1989 and 1991
"Titmuss Regained" (adapted from his novel), Masterpiece Theatre,PBS, 1992
Movies
Don Quixote (based on the novel by Miguel de Cervantes), TNT, 2000
Love and War in the Appenines, 2000
Specials
Home (ballet), 1968
"Rumple of the Bailey," Play for Today (also known as Play forToday: Rumpole of the Bailey), BBC, 1975
Rumpole's Return, Thames Television, 1980
Rumpole and the Age of Miracles, 1989

Rumpole and Portia, 1990
Rumpole and the Quality of Life, 1990
Cider with Rosie (based on a book by Laurie Lee), PBS, 1998
Specials; Plays
Call Me a Liar, BBC, 1958
David and Broccoli, BBC, 1960 published in Lunch Hour and OtherPlays.
The Encyclopaedist, BBC, 1961
The Exploding Azalea, Thames Television, 1966
The Head Waiter (also known as Wednesday Play: The Head Waiter), BBC, 1966
The Choice of Kings, Associated Rediffusion, 1966 published in Playbill Three, edited by Alan Durbrand, Hutchinson (London), 1969
Hughie, 1967
The Other Side, BBC, 1967
Infidelity Took Place, BBC, 1968
Desmond, BBC, 1968 published in The Best Short Plays 1971,edited by Stanley Richards, Chilton (Philadelphia, PA), 1971
Married Alive, CBS, 1970
Only Three Can Play, Independent Broadcasting Authority, 1970
Alcock and Gander, Thames Television, 1972
Kings Cross (also known as Thirty-Minute Theatre: Kings Cross--Lunch Hour), 1972
Swiss Cottage, BBC, 1972
Knightsbridge, BBC, 1972 published by Samuel French (New York City), 1973
Unity (based on a book by David Pryce-Jones), BBC, 1978
A Voyage 'round My Father (adapted from his radio play), BBC, 1982
The Ebony Tower (based on a story by John Fowles), 1984
Specials; Adaptations of Stories by Graham Greene
The Blue Film, Thames Television, between 1975 and 1976
The Case for the Defense, Thames Television, between 1975 and 1976
Chagrin in Three Parts, Thames Television, between 1975 and 1976
The Destructors, Thames Television, between 1975 and 1976
The Invisible Japanese Gentlemen, Thames Television, between 1975and 1976
A Little Place Off Edgware Road, Thames Television, between 1975 and 1976
Mortmain, Thames Television, between 1975 and 1976
Special Duties, Thames Television, between 1975 and 1976
Other Teleplays
Ett Svaart fall, 1962
Hampton Court (adaptation of Son et Lumiere script), 1964
Brighton Pavilion (adaptation of Son et Lumiere script), 1965
Reci da sam lazov, 1965
Edwin, 1984
The Waiting Room, 1989
Radio Plays
Like Men Betrayed (adaptation of his novel), BBC, 1955
No Hero, BBC, 1955
The Dock Brief, BBC, 1957
I Spy, 1957
Three Winters (adaptation of his novel), BBC, 1958
Lunch Hour (based on his stage play), 1960
The Encyclopaedist, 1961
A Voyage 'round My Father, BBC, 1963
Education of an Englishman, BBC, 1964
Personality Split, BBC, 1964
A Rare Device, BBC, 1965
Mr. Luby's Fear of Heaven, BBC, 1976
Edwin, 1982 published in Edwin and Other Plays.
Glasnost, 1988
Rumpole (based on his own stories), 1988
Play Collections
Three Plays (contains The Dock Brief, I Spy, and What Shall We Tell Caroline?), Elek (London), 1958 Grove Press (New YorkCity), 1962
Lunch Hour and Other Plays (contains Call Me a Liar, Collect Your Hand Baggage, and David and Broccoli), Methuen (London),1960
Five Plays (contains Collect Your Hand Baggage, The DockBrief, I Spy, Lunch Hour, and What Shall We Tell Caroline?), Methuen, 1970
Edwin and Other Plays (contains Bermondsey, Edwin, The Fear of Heaven, Marble Arch, and The Prince of Darkness), Penguin, 1984
Three Boulevard Farces (contains A Flea in Her Ear, TheLady from Maxim's, and A Little Hotel on the Side), Penguin, 1985
Plays (contains Collaborators, The Dock Brief, The Judge, Two Stars for Comfort, and Voyage 'round My Father), 1989
Novels
Charade, Lane, 1948 Viking (New York City), 1986
Rumming Park, Lane, 1949
Silver Hook, Morrow (New York City), 1950 published in England asAnswer Yes or No, Lane, 1950
Like Men Betrayed, Collins, 1953 Lippincott (Philadelphia, PA), 1954
Three Winters, Collins, 1956
The Narrowing Stream, Collins, 1956 Viking, 1989
Will Shakespeare, Hodder & Stoughton, 1977 published as Will Shakespeare: The Untold Story, Delacorte (New York City), 1978
Paradise Postponed, Viking, 1986
Summer's Lease, Viking, 1988
Titmuss Regained, Viking, 1990
Dunster, Viking, 1993
Paradise Postponed: The Rapstone Chronicles (includes ParadisePostponed and Titmuss Regained), Penguin, 1993
Felix in the Underworld, Viking, 1997
The Sound of Trumpets, Viking, 1998
Short Story Collections
Rumpole of the Bailey, Penguin (London), 1978
The Trials of Rumpole, Penguin, 1979
Rumpole, Allen Lane (London), 1980
Rumpole's Return, Penguin, 1980
Regina v. Rumpole, Allen Lane (London), 1981
Rumpole for the Defence, Penguin, 1982
A First Rumpole Omnibus (contains Rumpole of the Bailey, Rumpole's Return, and The Trials of Rumpole), Penguin, 1983
Rumpole and the Golden Thread, Penguin, 1983
Rumpole's Last Case, Penguin, 1987
The Second Rumpole Omnibus (contains Rumpole and the Golden Thread, Rumpole for the Defence, and Rumpole's Last Case), Viking (London), 1987 Penguin (New York City), 1988
Rumpole and the Age of Miracles, Penguin, 1988
Rumpole a la Carte, Viking, 1990
Rumpole on Trial, Viking, 1992
The Best of Rumpole, Penguin, 1993
Like Men Betrayed, Chivers Press (Bath, England), 1993
Rumpole and the Angel of Death, Viking, 1995
The Third Rumpole Omnibus (contains Rumpole a la Carte, Rumpole and the Age of Miracles, and Rumpole and the Angel of Death), Penguin, 1998
Editor
Famous Trials, Penguin (New York City), 1984
(And author of introduction) Great Law and Order Stories, Bellew (London), 1990 Norton (New York City), 1992
The Oxford Book of Villains, Oxford University Press (Oxford, England), 1992
Nonfiction
(With Penelope Ruth Mortimer) With Love and Lizards (travel), M. Joseph, 1957
Clinging to the Wreckage: A Part of Life (autobiography), Ticknor& Fields (New Haven, CT), 1982
In Character (interviews), Allen Lane (London), 1983
Character Parts (interviews; originally published in Sunday Times), Viking (London), 1987 Penguin, 1988
Murderers and Other Friends: Another Part of Life (biographies), Viking (New York City), 1994
The Summer of a Dormouse: Another Part of Life (autobiography), Viking, 2001
Other Writings
(As Geoffrey Lincoln) No Moaning at the Bar, Bles (London), 1957
Under the Hammer, 1994
Drama critic for Evening Standard, New Statesman, and Observer, 1972. Contributor to periodicals. Mortimer's manuscripts are collected at Boston University and the University of California, Los Angeles.

Further Reference

ADAPTATIONS

The film The Dock Brief (also known as Trial and Error), released in 1962, was based on Mortimer's play The Dock Brief.

OTHER SOURCES

Books

Contemporary Dramatists, 6th edition, St. James Press, 1999
Contemporary Novelists, 7th edition, St. James Press, 2001
International Dictionary of Theatre, Volume 2: Playwrights,St. James Press, 1993
Taylor, John Russell, The Angry Theatre, Hill & Wang (New YorkCity), 1962, revised edition, 1969, published in England as Anger and After, Methuen, 1962, revised edition, 1969,

Periodicals

Armchair Detective: Quarterly Journal Devoted to the Appreciation of Mystery, Detective, and Suspense Fiction, fall, 1987, pp. 340-349
New Yorker, March 20, 1995, p. 78

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