Arthur Crabtree

Who was Arthur Crabtree?

Arthur Crabtree was a British cinematographer and film director. He directed several of the Gainsborough Melodramas.

Crabtree earliest credits as a cinematographer working on such films as the Will Hay comedies Oh, Mr. Porter! and Good Morning, Boys and Hey! Hey! USA!, the Arthur Askey vehicle Charley's Aunt, and The Man in Grey and Fanny by Gaslight for Gainsborough Pictures.

Crabtree continued his association with Gainsborough as he started his directorial career, beginning with the melodramatic fantasies Madonna of the Seven Moons, starring Phyllis Calvert and Stewart Granger and Caravan. His last two films were Fiend Without a Face and Horrors of the Black Museum, a science fiction and horror, respectively, both of which have become cult favourites, although the former enjoys a better critical reputation. He also directed episodes of television series such as The Adventures of Robin Hood and The Adventures of Sir Lancelot.