Alun Owen facts for kids

Alun Davies Owen (born November 24, 1925 – died December 6, 1994) was a talented writer and actor from Wales. He mostly worked on TV shows. But many people remember him best for writing the movie script for The Beatles' first film, A Hard Day's Night (1964). This amazing work even got him nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Alun Owen's Journey: From Actor to Writer

Alun Owen was born in Menai Bridge, Wales. When he was 8, his family moved to Liverpool, England. His father, Sidney Owen, was from Dolgellau, Wales. His mother, Ruth, was from Holyhead and had Irish family.

Early Life and Wartime Work

Alun went to St Michael in the Hamlet Anglican Primary School and Oulton High School. During World War II, he worked in a coal mine for two years. He was a "Bevin Boy", which was a special job for young men during the war.

After the war, Alun started working in repertory theatre. He was an assistant stage manager first. Then, he became an actor. He performed with the Birmingham Repertory Company and other groups. He had small parts in movies. He also appeared a lot on TV in the 1950s, which was a newer type of entertainment back then.

Becoming a Playwright and Screenwriter

By the late 1950s, Alun realized he loved writing more than acting. He started sending his scripts to BBC Radio. His first full play was called Progress to the Park. It was first on the radio. Then, it was performed on stage at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East and later in London's famous West End.

His next play, The Rough and Ready Lot, was first shown on stage in 1959. It was directed by Caspar Wrede. Famous actors like June Brown were in it. The play was later shown on TV by the BBC.

Alun then wrote his first play directly for television. It was called No Trams to Lime Street (1959). This play was set in Liverpool. It was part of a TV show called Armchair Theatre. Alun kept writing plays for this show into the 1960s. In 1960, he also wrote his first movie script, The Criminal.

Awards and Working with The Beatles

In 1961, Alun Owen won two awards from the Guild of Television Producers and Directors. He won the Writer's Award and the Scriptwriter's Award. He also won the Writers' Guild of Great Britain award for his TV play The Rose Affair.

In 1964, Richard Lester was chosen to direct The Beatles' first movie. Lester remembered Alun from a TV show they worked on in 1955. The Beatles liked Alun too. They were impressed by how he showed Liverpool in his play "No Trams to Lime Street". Alun spent time with the four band members. He wanted to understand how they talked and acted.

His script for A Hard Day's Night was a big success. It earned him a nomination for an Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay in 1965. In the same year, Alun wrote the story and words for a musical called Maggie May. It was a West End show with music by Lionel Bart. The show ran for 501 performances in London.

Television remained Alun's main focus. He wrote many single plays for TV shows like BBC2's Theatre 625. He also wrote three connected plays called "The Male of the Species" in 1969.

His 1974 play Lucky was special. It showed Britain's new mix of cultures. It was about a young black man (Paul Barber) trying to find his place. Alun continued writing for TV through the 1970s and 1980s. His last work was a TV show in 1990. It was based on a book called Come Home, Charlie, and Face Them.

Alun Owen's Final Years

Alun Owen passed away in London on December 6, 1994. He was 69 years old.

Alun Owen's Legacy

A special festival was held in Alun Owen's honor in Liverpool. It took place from October 19-21, 2006. The Merseyside Welsh Heritage Society organized it. There were talks about Alun and his work. These talks were later published in a book in 2007.

Alun Owen's Writing Projects

Alun Owen's Awards and Nominations