Sewell Stokes (November 16, 1902 London - November 2, 1979 London) was an English novelist, biographer, playwright, and screenwriter. He collaborated on a number of occasions with his brother, Leslie Stokes, an actor, and later a BBC radio producer, with whom he shared a flat for many years opposite the British Museum. It was here that Sewell did much of his writing in the Reading Room, used by so many distinguished writers over the years.
November 16 is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 45 days remaining. ... 1902 (MCMII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... London (pronounced ) is the capital city of the United Kingdom and the largest city of England (strangely, England has no constitutional existence within the United Kingdom, and therefore cannot be said to have a capital). ... November 2 is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 59 days remaining. ... This page refers to the year 1979. ... London (pronounced ) is the capital city of the United Kingdom and the largest city of England (strangely, England has no constitutional existence within the United Kingdom, and therefore cannot be said to have a capital). ... The centre of the museum was redeveloped in 2000 to become the Great Court, with a tessellated glass roof by Buro Happold and Foster and Partners surrounding the original Reading Room. ... Ceiling of the Reading Room The British Museum Reading Room, situated in the centre of the Great Court of the British Museum, used to be the main reading room of the British Library. ...

Stokes was educated at Cranleigh School in Surrey and his first job in 1918 was as a book reviewer and gossip writer with the The London Sunday Times. Three years later he became assistant editor for T.P.'s Weekly, a radical newspaper founded by the Irish journalist and member of parliament Thomas Power O'Connor in 1902. Cranleigh School is a privately run English boarding school in the village of Cranleigh, Surrey. ... Thomas Power OConnor (always known as T.P. OConnor or Tay Pay) (5 October 1848 - 18 November 1929) was a journalist and an Irish nationalist political figure. ...

The author became friendly with the American dancer Isadora Duncan towards the very end of her life when she was penniless and alone. In 1928 he wrote a memoir of his conversations with her, Isadora, an Intimate Portrait, shortly after her death. Much later, in 1966, he co-wrote the film script for the BBC TV film, Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World, directed by Ken Russell and starring Vivian Pickles and Peter Bowles. In 1968 his memoir of Duncan, together with her autobiography, My Life, were adapted by Melvin Bragg for the film Isadora (US title: The Loves of Isadora), directed by Karel Reisz and starring Vanessa Redgrave and James Fox. In his 1954 novel Recital in Paris the character of Sarah Menken was substantially modelled on that of Isadora Duncan.
This article or section may be confusing or unclear for some readers, and should be edited to rectify this. ... Henry Kenneth Alfred Russell, known as Ken Russell (born July 3, 1927), is a controversial English film director, particularly known for his films about famous composers. ... My Life has been frequently used as a title for autobiographies, including those of: Bill Clinton Leon Trotsky John Starks It has also been used for: a 1993 film an album by Mary J. Blige an album by Iris DeMent a song by John Lennon a song by Billy Joel... Melvyn Bragg, Baron Bragg (born 6 October 1939, in Wigton, Cumbria) is a British author, screenwriter television and radio presenter and journalist. ... Isadora (also known as The Loves of Isadora) is a 1968 biographical film which tells the story of dancer Isadora Duncan. ... Karel Reisz (born 1926, Ostrava, Czechoslovakia, died London, United Kingdom, 2002) was a Jewish refugee who became one of the most important film-makers in post war Britain. ... Vanessa Redgrave during the 2004 season of Nip/Tuck. ... James Fox (born 19 May 1939) is an English actor. ... This article or section may be confusing or unclear for some readers, and should be edited to rectify this. ...

In 1936 he co-wrote, with his brother Leslie Stokes, the play Oscar Wilde, based on the life of the legendary Irish playwright Oscar Wildein which Wilde's friend, the controversial author and journalist Frank Harris, appears as a character. The play, starring Robert Morley,opened at London's Gate Theatre in 1936 but was banned because of its subject matter. Later in New York in 1938, again with Morley in the title role, the play became a major award-winning success on Broadway at the Fulton Theatre where it ran for 247 performances. This success launched Robert Morley's career as a stage actor on both sides of the Atlantic. The play, which contains much of Wilde's actual writings, starts with Wilde's literary success and his friendship with Lord Alfred Douglas, turns into a courtroom melodrama, and ends with Wilde as a broken alcoholic after 2 years in prison.
Oscar Fingal OFlahertie Wills Wilde (October 16, 1854 – November 30, 1900) was an Irish playwright, novelist, poet, short story writer and Freemason. ... Frank Harris by Alvin Langdon Coburn. ... Robert Morley Robert Morley (May 26, 1908 - June 3, 1992) was a British actor who, often in supporting roles, was usually cast as a pompous English gentleman representing the Establishment. ... Broadway may refer to: Broadway theatre, theatrical productions produced in one of thirty-nine professional New York theatres The Broadway Theatre, a theatre located on Broadway in Manhattan A street: Broadway (Manhattan) Broadway (Los Angeles) Broadway Street (Chicago) Broadway (Seattle) Broadway, New South Wales, Australia Broadway Market, London Broadway (Vancouver... Lord Alfred Bruce Douglas (born October 22, 1870; died March 20, 1945) was the third son of John Sholto Douglas, 9th Marquess of Queensberry, and the former Sibyl Montgomery. ...

In 1955 Stokes completed the novel, Beyond His Means, based on the life of Oscar Wilde. The film Oscar Wilde, based on the Stokes brother's play, and directed by Gregory Ratoff, starred Robert Morley and Ralph Richardson. was released in 1960. This coincided with the release of The Trials of Oscar Wilde, a film directed by Ken Hughes, in which Peter Finch played the title role. The title of Stokes's memoir, Rarely Pure, published in 1952, was taken from the line "The truth is rarely pure and never simple" spoken by Algenon Moncrief in Oscar Wilde's play The Importance of Being Ernest. The memoir is subtitled "The Memoirs of a Young Man in Search of Sex".
Oscar Fingal OFlahertie Wills Wilde (October 16, 1854 – November 30, 1900) was an Irish playwright, novelist, poet, short story writer and Freemason. ... Oscar Wilde is a 1960 movie about Oscar Wilde, starring Robert Morley. ... The Trials of Oscar Wilde is a 1960 film based on the libel case involving Oscar Wilde and the Marquess of Queensberry. ... Oscar Fingal OFlahertie Wills Wilde (October 16, 1854 – November 30, 1900) was an Irish playwright, novelist, poet, short story writer and Freemason. ... The Importance of Being Earnest is a classic Comedy-of-Manners by Oscar Wilde. ...

From 1941 to 1945 he served as a probation officer at Bow Street Magistrates' Court, London and in 1950 he wrote an autobiographical account of his experiences there, entitled Court Circular. The book was later made into the film I Believe in You, directed by Basil Dearden & Michael Relph and starring Celia Johnson, Cecil Parker, Harry Fowler, Joan Collins and George Relph (1952). In 1957, he described a tour through British prisons of the day in his book Come to Prison and in 1965 his book Our Dear Delinquents, on a similar theme, was published.
Probation officers function as agents or officers of the courts in the United States especially, but also in other countries. ... Bow Street Magistrates Court has been the most famous magistrates court in England for much of its existence. ...

Stokes was a close friend of the actor Robert Morley and in 1953 wrote, Without Veils. The Intimate Biography of Gladys Cooper, about Morley's mother-in-law, the actress Gladys Cooper. Later, in 1966 he co-wrote a biography of Robert Morley himself entitled Robert Morley "Responsible Gentleman". The title aludes to the fact that Morley started his acting career as a "responsible gentleman", an actor who portrayed professional men such as doctors, lawyers and official receivers in bankruptcy cases.
Robert Morley Robert Morley (May 26, 1908 - June 3, 1992) was a British actor who, often in supporting roles, was usually cast as a pompous English gentleman representing the Establishment. ... Dame Gladys Constance Cooper DBE (18 December 1888–17 November 1971) was an Oscar-nominated English actress. ...

Works

Biographies

• Stokes, Sewell (1928). Isadora, an Intimate Portrait. Brentanno's Ltd.
• Stokes, Sewell (1950). Court Circular. Michael Joseph.
• Stokes, Sewell (1953). Without Veils. The Intimate Biography of Gladys Cooper. Peter Davis.
• Stokes, Sewell (1957). Come to Prison. Longmans.
• Stokes, Sewell (1952). Rarely Pure. Peter Davis.
• Stokes, Sewell (1965). Our Dear Delinquents. Heineman.
• Morley, Robert; Sewell Stokes (1966). Robert Morley "Responsible Gentleman". Heineman.

Robert Morley Robert Morley (May 26, 1908 - June 3, 1992) was a British actor who, often in supporting roles, was usually cast as a pompous English gentleman representing the Establishment. ...

Novels

• Stokes, Sewell (1954). Recital in Paris. Peter Davis.
• Stokes, Sewell (1955). Beyond His Means. Peter Davis.
• Stokes, Sewell (1956). A Clown in Clover. Peter Davis.

Non Fiction

• Morley, Robert (1981). Robert Morley's Second Book of Bricks. Weidenfeld & Nicolson.

Robert Morley Robert Morley (May 26, 1908 - June 3, 1992) was a British actor who, often in supporting roles, was usually cast as a pompous English gentleman representing the Establishment. ...

Plays

• Laura Garnett, co-written with Leslie Stokes?, first performed at Dobbs Ferry, New York State, July 1934 with Ethel Barrymore and later in the Arts Theatre Club, London in September 1936 with Mary Clare.
• Out of Sight, co-written with Leslie Stokes, dir. Vincent Pearmain, Tavistock Little Theatre, production No. 131, Nov. 5,6 1937. A play about prison life.
• Frozen Glory, co-written with Leslie Stokes, 1938.
• Britania of Billingsgate, by Jope-Slade and Sewell Stokes, 1933.
• Oscar Wilde, a play in 3 acts with a preface by Lord Alfred Douglas, written by Leslie & Sewell Stokes, starring FB, Gate Theatre, London, 1936; Fulton Theatre, New York, 1938, starring Robert Morley. The film was initially banned in London because of its subject matter, but became a major award-winning success.
• Mother's Boy, starring David Tomlinson, 1964.

Films

• Britania of Billingsgate, based on Sewell Stokes play of the same name, directed by Sinclair Hall, 1933.
• Rolling in Money, co-screenwriter, directed by Albert Parker,1934.
• You Will Remember, directed by Jack Raymond, writen by Sewell Stokes and Lydia Hayward, 1941. The film is based on the life of the popular late Victorian songwriter Leslie Stuart, played here by Robert Morley, and co-stars Emlyn Williams as Stuart's best friend.
• I Believe in You, dir. Basil Dearden & Michael Relph, starring Celia Johnson, Cecil Parker, Harry Fowler, Joan Collins and George Relph (1952). Based on Sewell Sokes's book Court Circular.
• Oscar Wilde, based on the play of the same name by Sewell & Leslie Stokes, directed by Gregory Ratoff, starring Robert Morley and Ralph Richardson, 1960. The film was released at roughly the same time as The Trials of Oscar Wilde, directed by Ken Hughes, in which Peter Finch played the title role.
• Tom Jones, screenplay editor, directed by Tony Richardson, starring Albert Finney and Susannah York, 1963. Based on the novel of the same name by Henry Fielding.
• Isadora, adapted by Melvyn Bragg from Sewell Stoke's book Isadora, an Intimate Portrait and Isadora Duncan's autobiography, My Life. Directed by Karel Reisz, starring Vanessa Redgrave & James Fox, 1968.

Leslie Stuart (1864-1928) was an English composer of early musical theatre, best known for the hit show Florodora (1899). ... Robert Morley Robert Morley (May 26, 1908 - June 3, 1992) was a British actor who, often in supporting roles, was usually cast as a pompous English gentleman representing the Establishment. ... Emlyn Williams (Agust, 1994 - August 6, 1987) was a Welsh dramatist and actor. ... Oscar Wilde is a 1960 movie about Oscar Wilde, starring Robert Morley. ... Please wikify (format) this article as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Henry Fielding (April 22, 1707 – October 8, 1754) was an English novelist and dramatist known for his rich earthy humor and satirical prowess and as the author of the novel Tom Jones. ...

T.V.

• Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World (aka Isadora), co-writer, directed by Ken Russell, starring Vivian Pickles and Peter Bowles, BBC, 22 September 1966.