John McCallum
Actor
Biography
McCallum's father, John Neil McCallum Sr., was a theatre owner and entrepreneur, who built and for many years ran the 2,000 seat Cremorne Theatre on the banks of the Brisbane River. After emigrating from Scotland, McCallum Snr. became an accomplished musician, and was soon heavily involved in Brisbane's entertainment scene. His mother was an accomplished amateur actress who was born in England.
In 1918, McCallum Jr. was born in Brisbane during the opening night of a comedy performance. After his birth, a family friend sent his father a wire: 'Congratulations on two howling successes'.
McCallum was exposed to acting at a young age: his early childhood was full of backstage encounters at the Cremorne with the wide variety of performers who frequented his father's theatre. Although McCallum and his two younger brothers received their primary school education in the UK, the family returned to Australia once the Great Depression started. His secondary education was at the Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane.
His early theatrical training was with Barbara Sisely at the Brisbane Repertory Company.
As Director
Filmography
It Always Rains on Sunday
as Tommy Swann 1947
Miranda
as Nigel 1948
The Magic Box
as Sitter in Bath Studio 1952
The Woman in Question
as Michael Murray 1950
The Long Memory
as Supt. Bob Lowther 1953
Bush Christmas
as Narrator (voice) 1947
Lady Godiva Rides Again
as Larry Burns 1951
Trent's Last Case
as John Marlowe 1952
A Boy, a Girl and a Bike
as David Howarth 1949
Smiley
as Jim Rankin 1956
Valley of the Eagles
as Dr. Nils Ahlen 1951
Port of Escape
as Mitch Gillis 1956
The Calendar
as Capt. Garry Anson 1948
Forever Ealing
as Self 2002
The Root of All Evil
as Joe Bartle 1947
Derby Day
as Tommy Dillon 1952
Trouble in the Glen
as Malcolm 1954