Background
Leacock, Philip was born on October 8, 1917 in London.
Leacock, Philip was born on October 8, 1917 in London.
Born in London, England, Leacock spent his childhood in the Canary Islands. He began his career directing documentaries and later turned to fiction films. Leacock had his first hit with The Kidnappers (1950), a family movie set in Nova Scotia.
He was known for his films about children, particularly The Little Kidnappers (1953) and The Spanish Gardener (1956) starring Dirk Bogarde.
He also directed Innocent Sinners (1958), with Flora Robson, The Rabbit Trap (1959), with Ernest Borgnine and The War Lover (1962) starring Steve McQueen, based on John Hersey"s novel about a World World War II pilot. He began to work manly in Hollywood, where he made, about a black youth"s encounter with racism, and, about juvenile drug addiction.
Around this time, he began to work in television, directing episodes of Gunsmoke, Route 66, The Waltons, The Defenders, and The New Land. As an in-house director noted for his gentle way with child performers, he also directed many segments of the American series Eight Is Enough (1977–1981).
He retired in 1987, after directing an acclaimed three-part television drama about the Salem witch hunts, Three Sovereigns for Sister Sarah, which starred Vanessa Redgrave.
Leacock died while on vacation with his family in London on July 14, 1990.
Member Directors Guild American.