F. R. Crawley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
F. R. Crawley
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Frank Radford Crawley, c. 1950
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| Born |
Frank Radford Crawley
November 14, 1911 |
| Died | May 13, 1987 (aged 75) Toronto, Ontario
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| Nationality | Canadian |
| Other names | "Budge" Crawley |
| Occupation | film producer |
| Known for | Filmmaking |
| Spouse(s) | Judith Crawley |
| Children | 6 |
| Awards | Order of Canada |
Frank Radford "Budge" Crawley, OC (born November 14, 1911 – died May 13, 1987) was a famous Canadian film producer, cinematographer (camera operator), and director. He was often called "Budge." With his wife, Judith Crawley, he started their own film company, Crawley Films, in 1939.
Budge Crawley is most famous for producing a documentary called The Man Who Skied Down Everest, which won an Academy Award (also known as an Oscar). During his 40-year career, he helped create hundreds of films. A film historian named Peter Morris once called Crawley "the Godfather of Canadian film."
Contents
Early Life and Teamwork
Frank Radford "Budge" Crawley was born on November 14, 1911, in Ottawa, Ontario. He loved making films from a young age. His next-door neighbor, Judith Sparks, shared this same interest. They got married on October 1, 1938. This marriage also started a long and successful working partnership in filmmaking.
A Career in Canadian Film
While on their honeymoon, Judith wrote the story and edited Île d'Orléans (1938). This was the first film she worked on with her husband. Crawley filmed and directed it. In 1939, this film won the Hiram Percy Maxim Award for Best Amateur Film. This made their collaboration the first Canadian film to receive such an award.
Crawley was a pioneer, meaning he was one of the first important people, in creating an independent Canadian film industry. Even though he sometimes worked for the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), Crawley chose to work on his own. He preferred not to work full-time for the NFB or the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Crawley was known for making unique and experimental films with his wife, Judith. Their company, Crawley Films, made many different types of productions. These included short films, feature films, television commercials, animated cartoons, and more. In 1949, Crawley Films won the very first Canadian Film Award (which is now called the Canadian Screen Awards). They won for their film The Loon's Necklace (1948), which was based on an old Tsimshian legend.
After the Second World War, Crawley Films grew very quickly. It became an important place for young Canadian filmmakers to learn and start their careers. At that time, the NFB was the only other big filmmaking group in Canada. Crawley Films operated for 50 years, from 1939 until it was sold in 1982. During that time, the company made thousands of films and won hundreds of awards.
After separating from her husband in 1965, Judith Crawley started another film company. She worked with two of her children, Michal and Jennifer, on this new venture.
Awards and Special Recognition
The Man Who Skied Down Everest won the 1975 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. This was a huge achievement! It was the first Canadian-produced film to win an Oscar in this category.
The Crawleys also won several Canadian Film Awards. In 1986, they received a Special Achievement Genie for their amazing contributions to the Canadian film industry.
In 1980, Crawley was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. This honor recognized his "unique contribution to film in Canada."
In 2003, the Canadian Film Institute in Ottawa showed a new documentary. It was called Budge: The One True Happiness of F. R. 'Budge' Crawley. This film looked at the career of Budge Crawley, the independent Canadian film producer.
Selected Films
- 1938: Ile d'Orléans
- 1942: Quebec – Path of Conquest
- 1948: The Loon's Necklace
- 1950: Newfoundland Scene
- 1953: The Power Within
- 1958: The Legend of the Raven
- 1961: Tales of the Wizard of Oz (animated series)
- 1963: Amanita Pestilens
- 1964: The Luck of Ginger Coffey
- 1964: Return to Oz (television special)
- 1966: 1966 Marine Drive
- 1967: The Entertainers
- 1971: Hamlet (television)
- 1972: The Rowdyman (executive producer)
- 1973: August and July
- 1975: The Man Who Skied Down Everest
- 1975: Janis
- 1982: Heartland Reggae
