Hubbry Logo
Don ChaffeyDon ChaffeyMain
Open search
Don Chaffey
Community hub
Don Chaffey
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Don Chaffey
Don Chaffey
Don Chaffey
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Donald Chaffey (5 August 1917 – 13 November 1990) was a British film director, writer, producer, and art director.

Key Information

Chaffey's film career began as an art director in 1947, and his directorial debut was in 1953. He remained active in the industry until his death in 1990 from heart failure. His film Charley One-Eye (1973) was entered into the 24th Berlin International Film Festival.[citation needed]

He is chiefly remembered for his fantasy films, which include Jason and the Argonauts (1963), The Three Lives of Thomasina (1963), One Million Years B.C. (1966), The Viking Queen (1967), Creatures the World Forgot (1971), Pete's Dragon (1977), and C.H.O.M.P.S. (1979), his final feature film.

Concurrent with his theatrically released films, Chaffey directed episodes of numerous British television series, including multiple installments of Danger Man, The Prisoner, and The Avengers. From the 1980s until his death, all of his work was in American made-for-TV movies, and in such TV series as Fantasy Island, Stingray, MacGyver, Vega$, T. J. Hooker, Matt Houston, and Charlie's Angels.

Career

[edit]

Chaffey began his career in the art department of Gainsborough Pictures where he worked as a draftsman on Madonna of the Seven Moons (1945), The Rake's Progress (1945), and Caravan (1946). He was art director of The Adventures of Dusty Bates (1947) and The Little Ballerina (1948). He directed the documentary shorts Thames Tideway (1948) and Cape Cargoes (1948).[1]

Chaffey directed the short features The Mysterious Poacher (1950) and The Case of the Missing Scene (1950). He returned to the art department for King of the Underworld (1950), The Stolen Plans (1952), Murder at the Grange (1952), Murder at Scotland Yard (1952), and Black 13 (1953).

Director

[edit]

Chaffey resumed his directing career with the family film Skid Kids (1953). He made the short Watch Out (1953), then did Strange Stories (1953), Bouncer Breaks Up (1953, a short), The Mask (1952), and A Good Pull Up (1953).

Chaffey directed Time Is My Enemy (1954). After the short Dead on Time (1955) he made The Secret Tent (1956), The Flesh Is Weak (1957) and The Girl in the Picture (1957).

He directed episodes of TV series like Theatre Royal, The Adventures of the Big Man, Chevron Hall of Stars, The Errol Flynn Theatre, Assignment Foreign Legion, The Adventures of Robin Hood, Dial 999, and The New Adventures of Charlie Chan. He interspersed these with features like A Question of Adultery (1958), The Man Upstairs (1958), Danger Within (1959), Dentist in the Chair (1960), Lies My Father Told Me (1960), and Nearly a Nasty Accident (1961).[2]

Disney and fantasy

[edit]

He directed Greyfriars Bobby: The True Story of a Dog (1961), then A Matter of WHO (1961), a version of The Prince and the Pauper (1962) for Disney, and The Webster Boy (1962).[3]

He had a big hit with Jason and the Argonauts (1963) with Ray Harryhausen. Then it was back to Disney for The Three Lives of Thomasina (1963).[4]

Chaffey directed They All Died Laughing (1964), The Crooked Road (1965), and One Million Years B.C. (1966) for Hammer. He returned to television to do episodes of Danger Man, The Baron, The Prisoner, Man in a Suitcase, Journey to the Unknown, The Avengers, The Pathfinders, and The Protectors.

Chaffey did The Viking Queen (1967) for Hammer, A Twist of Sand (1968), Creatures the World Forgot (1971) for Hammer, Clinic Exclusive (1973), Charley-One-Eye (1973), and Persecution (1974).[5]

Australia and US TV

[edit]

Chaffey went to Australia where he directed Ben Hall (1975), Ride a Wild Pony (1975), The Fourth Wish (1976), and Shimmering Light (1978).[6]

He worked in America too making CHiPs, Pete's Dragon (1977) for Disney, The Magic of Lassie (1978), Lassie: A New Beginning (1978), The Gift of Love (1978), C.H.O.M.P.S. (1979), and Casino (1980).[7]

He eventually focused almost exclusively on episodic TV: Vega$, Charlie's Angels, Strike Force, Fantasy Island, Gavilan, The Renegade, Lottery!, Hotel, Matt Houston, Finder of Lost Loves, International Airport (1985, a pilot), Spenser: For Hire, Hollywood Beat, Airwolf, Hunter, Outlaws, MacGyver, Stingray and Mission: Impossible.[1][4]

Personal life

[edit]

Don Chaffey was married to Edna Chaffey for 40 years until she died in 1981 of cancer. Together they had one daughter, Nicolette Chaffey.

He then married American actress Paula Kelly in 1985. Chaffey died of a heart attack in 1990 in a house he owned in New Zealand.[8]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]

Television

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Don Chaffey

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Don Chaffey (5 August 1917 – 9 November 1990) was a British film and television director renowned for his contributions to fantasy cinema and family-oriented productions, including the mythological epic Jason and the Argonauts (1963) and the prehistoric adventure One Million Years B.C. (1966), as well as several live-action features such as Pete's Dragon (1977). Born in , , Chaffey began his career in the film industry during , joining the art department at in 1944 as an assistant before advancing to by 1946. His directorial debut came in 1950 with the children's short documentary The Mysterious Poacher, which earned honors at the . Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he directed a range of British features, including war dramas like Danger Within (1959) and comedies, while gaining prominence in the fantasy genre through collaborations with stop-motion animator on films such as Jason and the Argonauts, featuring groundbreaking special effects, and One Million Years B.C., which marked Raquel Welch's breakout role. In the 1970s, Chaffey transitioned more extensively to Disney, helming family films like The Three Lives of Thomasina (1963, though released later in some markets), Ride a Wild Pony (1971), The Magic of Lassie (1978), and the musical fantasy Pete's Dragon, which blended live-action with animation and earned two Academy Award nominations. Paralleling his film work, Chaffey directed numerous television episodes and movies from the 1960s onward, contributing to popular series such as Mission: Impossible, Charlie's Angels, Fantasy Island, T.J. Hooker, and Hotel, as well as telefilms like Gift of the Magi (1978) and a Lassie special. Chaffey relocated to the in the later stages of his but spent his in , where he died at age 73 in his sleep at his home on , likely from heart disease; he was survived by his wife, actress Paula Kelly, a daughter, and one grandchild. His body of work, spanning over four decades, emphasized imaginative storytelling and , cementing his legacy in both British and international cinema.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Early Years

Don Chaffey was born on 5 August 1917 in , , . As a British national, he grew up during the in post-World War I , a time marked by economic recovery and social changes following the global conflict. Limited historical provide few details on his family background or specific childhood experiences, though his early environment in the coastal town of likely influenced his later creative pursuits. Chaffey received his education at , a local institution focused on classical and practical studies. Upon leaving school in his mid-teens during the early 1930s, he initially apprenticed as an to an architect, a common path for young men seeking stable professional training amid the . However, after three years in this role, he abandoned architecture in favor of the burgeoning , joining the art department at in 1944 as an assistant, which marked the beginning of his professional involvement in cinema. This transition reflected a growing interest in and , setting the foundation for his eventual career in .

Art Direction Work

Chaffey entered the film industry during , joining the art department at in 1944 as an assistant. By 1946, he had progressed to , a role he held through the late 1940s at the studio, which was known for its independent productions of melodramatic features. His early contributions focused on set design and visual aesthetics for post-war British cinema. His early work included contributions to Gainsborough productions, such as (1945), Sidney Gilliat's adaptation of a notorious gentleman's exploits, where he served as chief draughtsman contributing to the evocative 18th-century environments. These projects exemplified Gainsborough's signature style of lavish, emotionally charged visuals in independent studio filmmaking. Advancing to full art director, Chaffey oversaw production design for youth-oriented films, including The Adventures of Dusty Bates (1947), a children's mystery adventure produced under the banner, where he was credited as Ronald Chaffey for shaping practical, engaging sets. He also handled art direction for The Little Ballerina (1948), Lewis Gilbert's tale of a young dancer's aspirations, emphasizing whimsical and inspirational backdrops to support the narrative's themes of perseverance and artistry. Through these roles, Chaffey honed technical expertise in constructing immersive worlds that underscored character-driven stories, skills central to Gainsborough's output during its final years as an autonomous entity before integration into .

Directing Career

British Films

Don Chaffey transitioned from art direction to directing in the early 1950s, leveraging his experience in set design and production at studios like to helm low-budget features and shorts. His directorial debut came with the children's documentary The Mysterious Poacher (1950), which followed young protagonists aiding a forest ranger against wildlife theft and earned a medal at the . This film marked Chaffey's entry into narrative storytelling focused on youthful and environmental concerns in a European setting. Building on this, Chaffey directed Skid Kids (1953), a production centered on a group of youths combating to save their local track. The film captured the gritty realities of post-war urban life, including rationing-era resourcefulness and community bonds among working-class children navigating limited opportunities for recreation. It addressed social issues like juvenile involvement in petty crime and the importance of sport as a positive outlet in austerity Britain, reflecting broader cinematic concerns with youth delinquency and societal rebuilding. Chaffey's early feature Time Is My Enemy (1954) shifted toward adult-oriented drama, portraying a woman's by her presumed-dead first husband, whose survival stemmed from . Set against the lingering psychological scars of , the story explored themes of disrupted families, moral ambiguity in survival, and the intrusion of past traumas into post-war domestic stability. This B-movie crime tale exemplified Chaffey's evolving style in concise, tension-driven narratives that highlighted interpersonal conflicts amid Britain's social reconstruction. Throughout these works, Chaffey demonstrated a stylistic progression from documentary-like realism in shorts to more scripted dramatic tension in features, often emphasizing everyday heroism and the human cost of wartime aftermath without overt spectacle. His British films of this era contributed to the era's quota quickies and second features, prioritizing relatable social dramas over high production values. Into the late and , he continued with varied genres, including the war drama (1959), set in an Italian POW camp where British officers hunt a traitor sabotaging escape plans, blending with themes of and .

Fantasy and Adventure Films

Chaffey's entry into fantasy and adventure cinema marked a significant evolution from his earlier British dramas, emphasizing spectacle through mythological and prehistoric narratives. His 1963 film Jason and the Argonauts, produced by , adapted the ancient Greek myth of Jason's quest for the , blending live-action adventure with groundbreaking . In Jason and the Argonauts, Chaffey collaborated closely with stop-motion animation pioneer , whose effects animated mythical creatures such as the bronze giant , the multi-headed Hydra, and a climactic army of seven animated skeletons. These sequences, created using Harryhausen's "Dynamation" process—which rear-projected live-action footage behind animated models to achieve seamless integration—elevated the film's action set pieces while supporting the heroic journey's pacing. Chaffey's direction ensured that the effects served the narrative momentum, allowing real actors like as to interact dynamically with the illusions, resulting in a runtime of 103 minutes that balanced epic scope with rhythmic tension. Chaffey continued his exploration of prehistoric adventure with (1966), a Hammer Films production that depicted tribal conflicts in a hostile ancient world. Starring as Loana, a member of the Shell Tribe, the film highlighted survival themes amid volcanic eruptions and encounters, with Welch's portrayal becoming an iconic visual element despite limited dialogue. Harryhausen's practical effects again played a central role, animating creatures like a rearing and a diving to underscore the era's dangers, while Chaffey's focus on action sequences maintained a brisk pace through inter-tribal warfare and natural perils. Hammer's (1967) shifted Chaffey toward historical adventure, set in Roman-occupied Britain where a , Salina (Carita), challenges imperial rule. The film incorporated elements of romance, rebellion, and swordplay, with Don Murray as the conflicted Roman officer Justinian, emphasizing political intrigue and battles against Roman legions. Chaffey's handling of the period action, filmed on lush Irish landscapes, prioritized dramatic confrontations to drive the of cultural and forbidden . Chaffey returned to prehistoric themes with Creatures the World Forgot (1971), another Hammer production he also co-wrote, following rival tribes in a primitive world without dinosaurs or effects, focusing instead on human conflict, survival, and ritualistic elements starring Julie Ege and Tony Bonner. Across these films, Chaffey excelled in integrating practical effects with narrative pacing, using Harryhausen's stop-motion to punctuate key plot turns without disrupting story flow—such as the skeletons' ambush in Jason or the earthquake in One Million Years B.C.—thereby advancing character arcs and thematic depth in fantasy cinema. This approach influenced later genre works by prioritizing tangible illusions that enhanced emotional stakes over mere spectacle.

Disney Productions

Don Chaffey directed his first film for Productions with (1961), a family drama based on the true story of a loyal in 19th-century who guards his owner's grave, starring and , emphasizing themes of devotion and community. He followed this in 1963 with , a fantasy drama set in early 20th-century . Adapted from Paul Gallico's novel, the story centers on a young girl named Mary McDhui whose beloved cat, Thomasina, is declared dead by her veterinarian father but mysteriously revives, influencing family reconciliation and themes of faith and healing. Starring as the father and as a compassionate animal healer, the film was shot on location in , , blending live-action with subtle supernatural elements to create a poignant tale of loss and wonder. Chaffey's collaboration with Disney continued into the 1970s, including Ride a Wild Pony in 1975, the studio's first feature filmed entirely in Australia. Based on James Aldridge's novel A Sporting Proposition, this live-action adventure unfolds in the Australian outback between the world wars, following a poor farm boy, Scotty Pirie, who bonds with a wild pony gifted by a wealthy rancher, only to face conflict with a mobility-impaired girl who claims ownership. Featuring Michael Craig and young actors Robert Bettles and Helena Gilmer, the film highlights themes of friendship, fairness, and rural resilience through its scenic cinematography by Jack Cardiff. One of Chaffey's most notable Disney projects was Pete's Dragon (1977), a musical fantasy combining live-action and hand-drawn animation. The story follows an orphaned boy, Pete, and his invisible dragon companion, Elliott, as they seek refuge in a coastal Maine town, encountering colorful characters including a lighthouse keeper and opportunistic showmen. With a cast featuring Helen Reddy, Jim Dale, Mickey Rooney, Red Buttons, and Gene Kelly as the scheming Dr. Terminus, the film integrates whimsical songs by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song ("Candle on the Water"). Chaffey's direction emphasized seamless visual effects for the animated dragon, contributing to the film's enduring appeal as a hybrid of enchantment and heartfelt adventure. Throughout these Disney productions, Chaffey employed a directorial approach centered on whimsical and child protagonists to align with the studio's family-oriented ethos, often incorporating magical realism and moral growth amid pastoral or fantastical settings. His films prioritized emotional depth and visual charm over spectacle, fostering narratives where young leads navigate challenges with wonder and empathy, as seen in the dog's loyalty in , the cat's mystical influence in , the pony's role in bridging divides in , and Pete's bond with Elliott symbolizing protection and belonging. This style reflected Disney's post-Walt era emphasis on accessible, uplifting tales that blended live-action warmth with subtle fantasy.

Australian and American Television

In the mid-1970s, Don Chaffey directed several Australian productions that blended family-oriented storytelling with dramatic elements, marking his engagement with local narratives and television formats. One notable example is The Fourth Wish (1976), a heartfelt adapted from a three-part ABC television series, where a father (played by ) strives to fulfill the simple wishes of his terminally ill 12-year-old son (Chris Hayward), such as owning a and meeting a girl, amidst bureaucratic and emotional hurdles. The film, shot in , emphasized poignant human connections and received praise for its emotional depth and performances, reflecting Chaffey's ability to adapt intimate, character-driven stories to the screen. Chaffey also helmed Shimmering Light (1978), an Australian made-for-television movie produced by the Australian Broadcasting Commission, which followed an American surfer () traveling to in pursuit of the ideal wave, exploring themes of personal freedom and cultural encounters. This project showcased his versatility in handling adventure-driven plots suited to episodic television constraints, incorporating scenic coastal locations to enhance the narrative's escapist appeal. Additionally, Born to Run (1979), a two-part Disney television presentation of an , depicted a young boy (Robert Bettles) bonding with his grandfather over harness racing and rescuing a promising colt amid financial struggles on their farm. These works highlighted Chaffey's transition to Australian markets, where he directed action and family adventures that prioritized relational dynamics over spectacle. By the late 1970s, Chaffey relocated to the , adapting his expertise in fantasy and adventure to the fast-paced demands of American episodic television, often focusing on high-stakes action sequences within tight production schedules. He directed 10 episodes of from 1978 to 1981, including "Island Angels" (1980), where the trio thwarts a terrorist plot on a remote island, emphasizing his skill in choreographing ensemble dynamics and suspenseful chases. In (1981–1982), Chaffey helmed seven episodes, such as "The Last Cowboy/The Lady and the Monster" (1981) and "The Devil and Mr. Roarke/Ziegfeld Girls/Kid Corey Rides Again" (1981), blending moral dilemmas with fantastical guest fantasies in the anthology format. His contributions to included two episodes in the mid-1980s: "The Escape" (1986), involving a daring from a North African prison, and "Bushmaster" (1987), where the protagonist aids a wrongfully accused pilot in a Central American jungle escape, demonstrating his proficiency in resourcefulness-driven action plots. These television efforts, extending into the late 1980s, underscored Chaffey's international appeal and his adeptness at episodic storytelling that balanced adventure with character development in diverse markets.

Personal Life and Death

Family

Chaffey was married twice. His first marriage, to Edna Chaffey, began in 1941 and endured until her death in 1981; the couple had one , Nicolette Chaffey-Murray, who later became a in . In 1985, he married American actress and dancer Paula Kelly, a union that lasted until his death five years later. Chaffey kept his family life largely private, distinct from his professional endeavors, with scant public details available on any influences his marriages or may have had on his decisions or international relocations, including his later residence on , , alongside Kelly. He was survived by his second wife, , and one grandchild.

Later Years and Death

In his later years, Don Chaffey resided in , where he owned a home on . He continued directing American television projects into the late 1980s, focusing on episodic work for popular series. Representative examples include the MacGyver episode "Bushmaster" in 1987 and the Mission: Impossible episode "Bayou" in 1989. Chaffey died of heart disease on November 9, 1990, at the age of 73. His death occurred at his home on , .

Legacy

Awards and Recognition

Chaffey's directorial debut, The Mysterious Poacher (1950), received a medal at the , recognizing his early work in children's cinema. This honor marked one of the few formal accolades in his career, highlighting his transition from art direction to feature filmmaking. Later, Charley One-Eye (1973) earned a nomination for the Golden Berlin Bear at the 24th in 1974, acknowledging the film's exploration of racial themes in a Western setting. Despite his contributions to fantasy and adventure genres, including films like Jason and the Argonauts (1963), Chaffey did not receive major lifetime awards such as or BAFTAs. His Disney productions, such as Pete's Dragon (1977), garnered nominations for its score and a song, but none directly for Chaffey's direction. Similarly, his extensive television work, including episodes of The Avengers and , yielded no documented nominations or awards. Overall, Chaffey's recognition remained modest, centered on festival entries rather than widespread industry honors, reflecting the niche appeal of his fantasy-oriented output.

Influence on Fantasy Cinema

Don Chaffey's collaborations with stop-motion animation pioneer marked a significant advancement in integrating fantastical elements with live-action footage, particularly in films like Jason and the Argonauts (1963) and One Million Years B.C. (1966). In Jason and the Argonauts, Chaffey directed the human performers to align precisely with Harryhausen's "Dynamation" technique, which used split-screen to blend animated creatures—such as the bronze giant , a multi-headed Hydra, and an army of skeletal warriors—with real actors, creating immersive mythological battles that elevated the genre's visual storytelling. Similarly, in the Hammer Films production One Million Years B.C., Chaffey orchestrated scenes of prehistoric adventure where Harryhausen's stop-motion dinosaurs interacted dynamically with live performers, demonstrating how modest budgets could yield spectacular effects through meticulous direction. Chaffey's work extended this innovative blending to family-oriented fantasy through his Disney productions, most notably Pete's Dragon (1977), which combined live-action with hand-drawn animation in a narrative about an orphaned boy and his invisible dragon companion. As Disney's first major hybrid film since Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971), it showcased Chaffey's ability to balance whimsical animation—provided by Don Bluth and others—with grounded live-action performances, influencing subsequent Disney hybrids by emphasizing emotional bonds in fantastical settings. This approach helped popularize accessible, effects-driven family fantasies that appealed across generations. Chaffey's legacy endures in adventure storytelling and within constrained productions, where his direction maximized limited resources to deliver thrilling , as seen in Hammer's low-budget epics that prioritized drive alongside . Posthumously, his films have been recognized in film history for bridging British genre traditions—rooted in Hammer's gritty realism—with international Hollywood fantasy, inspiring tributes in later works like (1993), which echoed the iconic skeleton sequence from Jason and the Argonauts.

Filmography

Feature Films

Don Chaffey directed approximately 22 feature films over his career, beginning with low-budget British dramas and comedies in the 1950s, transitioning to family-oriented productions for in the early , and achieving prominence in the fantasy and adventure genres through collaborations with pioneer in the mid-1960s, before returning to varied family and dramatic works in later decades. His output reflects an evolution from gritty to visually ambitious spectacles, often emphasizing youthful protagonists and adventurous narratives. Skid Kids (1953) is a juvenile drama centered on a cycle speedway club, featuring young actors like David Griffiths and Pamela Heslop, produced by the as an early entry in promoting . A Question of Adultery (1958), a controversial drama exploring , stars Anthony Steel and , and was distributed by amid public debate on its sensitive theme. In the thriller The Flesh Is Weak (1958), and Milly Vitale lead as siblings entangled in , marking Chaffey's exploration of moral dilemmas in post-war Britain. The Man Upstairs (1958), a with as a tormented lodger and as a , was produced by British Lion and highlighted Chaffey's skill in confined, tense . The Danger Within (1959), also known as Breakout, stars and as POWs plotting an escape, adapted from a and released by British Lion with a focus on camaraderie and strategy. Dentist in the Chair (1960), a British comedy starring Bob Monkhouse and Kenneth Connor, involving dental mishaps and a burglary gone wrong, produced by Renown Pictures. Nearly a Nasty Accident (1961) is a farce about RAF mishaps, featuring Jimmy Edwards and Kenneth Connor in comic roles, produced by Anglo-Amalgamated for light-hearted British humor. Chaffey's first Disney collaboration, the family adventure Greyfriars Bobby (1961), stars Donald Crisp as a loyal dog's owner and Laurence Naismith, based on a true Edinburgh tale and filmed on location in Scotland. The comedy A Matter of WHO (1961) showcases Terry-Thomas as a WHO official tracking a smallpox outbreak, with Sonja Ziemann, produced by Rank Organisation for satirical takes on bureaucracy. The Three Lives of Thomasina (1963), a Disney fantasy about a cat's spiritual journey, features Patrick McGoohan and Susan Hampshire, adapted from Paul Gallico's novel with Scottish highland settings. Jason and the Argonauts (1963), a landmark fantasy adventure, stars Todd Armstrong as the hero and Honor Blackman as Hera, produced by Columbia with iconic stop-motion creatures by Ray Harryhausen. The espionage thriller The Crooked Road (1965) involves Stewart Granger and Robert Ryan in a Balkan intrigue, distributed by British Lion as a tense Cold War-era narrative. Hammer Films' prehistoric fantasy One Million Years B.C. (1966) stars Raquel Welch and John Richardson, notable for Harryhausen's dinosaur animations and minimal dialogue emphasizing visual spectacle. The Viking Queen (1967), set in , features Don Murray as , blending with action but criticized for historical inaccuracies. A Twist of Sand (1968), an adventure yarn about diamond smugglers, stars Richard Johnson , produced by Seven Arts with nautical sequences off Africa's coast. The prehistoric tale Creatures the World Forgot (1971), another , stars Julie Ege , focusing on tribal conflicts without dinosaurs for a more anthropological approach. Clinic Exclusive (1971), also known as With These Hands, a British erotic drama about a massage parlor owner, starring Georgina Ward and Alexander Davion. Charley One-Eye (1973), a gritty Western, pairs Richard Roundtree and Roy Thinnes as unlikely allies, distributed by Paramount with themes of race and survival in the Old West. The psychological horror Persecution (1974) stars in her final lead role alongside , produced by EMI Films as a tale of familial madness. The Fourth Wish (1976), an Australian about a father's bond with his dying son, features and , marking Chaffey's shift to heartfelt, location-based storytelling . Ride a Wild Pony (1975), a adventure about two children and a wild pony in rural , starring Michael Craig and Bettles, filmed on . Disney's hybrid live-action/animated musical Pete's Dragon (1977) stars Sean Marshall as the boy and , with the dragon voiced by , blending charm and effects in a New England fishing town setting. The Magic of Lassie (1978), a Disney musical of Lassie Come Home, starring , , and , with songs by the . Finally, the family comedy C.H.O.M.P.S. (1979) involves and in a tale of robotic dogs, produced by for light sci-fi fun. Casino (1980), an adventure about a luxury liner hijacking, stars and , serving as a late-career nautical thriller.

Television Episodes

Don Chaffey's television directing career spanned over three decades, beginning with British anthology and adventure series in the and before shifting to extensive work on American network television in the and . His episodes often emphasized action-adventure elements, intrigue, and fantastical , aligning with his background in fantasy genres. In his later years, Chaffey contributed significantly to U.S. primetime dramas and action shows, directing more than 50 episodes across major networks like ABC, , and , including multiple installments for popular series that highlighted resourceful protagonists and high-stakes scenarios. Early in his TV career, Chaffey helmed numerous episodes of British espionage series, notably directing 16 installments of (also known as Secret Agent in the U.S.) between 1964 and 1965. Representative examples include "Colony Three" (Season 2, Episode 3, 1964), where agent John Drake infiltrates a secretive communist enclave, blending suspenseful investigation with themes, and "The Galloping Major" (Season 2, Episode 10, 1964), featuring as a cover for international intrigue. These episodes showcased Chaffey's skill in pacing taut action sequences within episodic formats. Chaffey also directed key episodes of (1967), a surreal espionage allegory starring . His contributions include "Arrival" (Episode 1, 1967), the depicting the protagonist's abduction to a mysterious village, establishing themes of identity and resistance through atmospheric tension, and "Dance of the Dead" (Episode 7, 1967), which explores psychological manipulation during a carnival-like trial, noted for its innovative visual style and thematic depth. For The Avengers (1961–1969), he directed five episodes in the late 1960s, such as "Legacy of Death" (Season 6, Episode 9, 1968), involving a cursed Egyptian artifact and stylish spy antics, and "Wish You Were Here" (Season 6, Episode 10, 1968), a claustrophobic tale of a inescapable resort that critiques conformity with witty, adventure-driven humor. These British works highlighted Chaffey's versatility in blending adventure with psychological elements. In during the mid-1970s, Chaffey directed TV movies and specials that often centered on coming-of-age stories and rural adventure. Notable entries include Born to Run (1976), a family-oriented drama about a boy and his grandfather training a wild colt for , emphasizing themes of perseverance and human-animal bonds, and Shimmering Light (1978), following an American surfer's quest for the perfect wave in , incorporating action sequences and cultural exploration. These productions marked his brief but impactful foray into Australian television before returning to U.S. networks. Chaffey's U.S. television output in the late and was prolific, focusing on action-adventure series with ensemble casts and procedural elements. For (1976–1981), he directed at least four episodes, including "Terror on Skis" (Season 4, Episode 6, 1979), where the Angels investigate murders at a resort, featuring ski chases and undercover glamour; "Angels on the Street" (Season 4, Episode 8, 1979), tackling urban exploitation through street-level infiltration; "Harrigan's Angel" (Season 5, Episode 4, 1980), pairing the team with a boozy in a plot; and "Nips and Tucks" (Season 5, Episode 21, 1980), uncovering a surgeon's deadly secret with cosmetic intrigue. These episodes exemplified his handling of fast-paced, female-led action. On (1977–1984), Chaffey directed seven episodes in 1981–1982, often weaving moral fantasies with adventure twists. Examples include "Cyrano/The Magician" (Season 5, Episode 4, 1981), contrasting romantic idealism with a performer's redemption arc; "Face of Love/Image of Celeste" (Season 5, Episode 22, 1982), exploring jealousy and celebrity through dual narratives; and "/The Whistle" (Season 5, Episode 14, 1982, co-directed with ), blending family drama with a whistleblower's peril in exotic settings. His work amplified the show's escapist allure with dynamic guest-star performances. In the 1980s, Chaffey continued with action-heavy procedurals, directing two episodes of (1985–1992): "The Escape" (Season 1, Episode 20, 1986), where the hero orchestrates a North African using improvised gadgets, underscoring resourcefulness in high-tension escapes, and "Bushmaster" (Season 2, Episode 19, 1987), involving a spy in a Central American jungle with survivalist action. He also helmed episodes for (1982–1986), Strike Force (1981–1982, four episodes), (1983–1988, two episodes), and (1984–1985, six episodes), among others like Vega$ (1978–1981) and (1985–1987), consistently delivering episodic adventures centered on justice, mystery, and moral dilemmas. This phase solidified his reputation as a reliable director for network television's action-adventure landscape.

References

  1. http://www.filmreference.com/film/44/Don-Chaffey.html
  2. https://www.bfi.org.uk/film/343c6c53-7424-54a9-8342-434088522bd5/jason-and-the-argonauts
  3. https://www.bfi.org.uk/film/f21c40fe-b66d-505e-bcf4-1225da362276/one-million-years-bc
  4. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-11-19-mn-3526-story.html
  5. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0149548/bio/
  6. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0186980/fullcredits/
  7. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/don-chaffey/credits/3000028195/
  8. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/31593%7C39473/Don-Chaffey
  9. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0169238/
  10. https://letterboxd.com/film/skid-kids/
  11. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0153099/
  12. https://www.studiocanal.com/title/time-is-my-enemy-1954/
  13. https://www.reelstreets.com/films/time-is-my-enemy/
  14. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052648/
  15. https://www.bfi.org.uk/lists/celebrating-ray-harryhausens-centenary-10-essential-films-from-stop-motion-genius
  16. https://screenrant.com/one-million-years-bc-vfx-monsters-expert-reaction/
  17. https://variety.com/1966/film/reviews/one-million-years-b-c-1200421178/
  18. https://www.blackgate.com/2021/07/14/ellsworths-cinema-of-swords-more-hammer-historicals/
  19. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066955/
  20. https://movies.disney.com/greyfriars-bobby-the-true-story-of-a-dog
  21. https://movies.disney.com/the-three-lives-of-thomasina
  22. https://movies.disney.com/ride-a-wild-pony
  23. https://d23.com/a-to-z/ride-a-wild-pony-film/
  24. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076538/
  25. https://d23.com/a-to-z/chaffey-don/
  26. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_three_lives_of_thomasina
  27. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ride_a_wild_pony
  28. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074544/
  29. https://www.acmi.net.au/works/80521--the-fourth-wish
  30. https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/the-fourth-wish-1976/48/
  31. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078255/
  32. https://d23.com/a-to-z/born-to-run-television/
  33. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0539226/
  34. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0638775/
  35. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0638687/
  36. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0649376/
  37. http://www.theunmutual.co.uk/profilechaffey.htm
  38. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0149548/awards/
  39. https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/56314
  40. https://www.moviemaker.com/dynamation-the-golden-era-of-ray-harryhausen/
  41. http://www.cataroo.com/DBpetes.html
  42. https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-fantasy-movies-of-all-time/
  43. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0149548/
  44. https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/question-adultery-how-x-rated-1950s-drama-tackled-subject-artificial-insemination
  45. https://player.bfi.org.uk/rentals/film/watch-skid-kids-1953-online
  46. https://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-man-upstairs-am198545
  47. https://www.allmovie.com/movie/breakout-am58397
  48. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053759/
  49. https://www.allmovie.com/movie/nearly-a-nasty-accident-am69471
  50. https://film.datathistle.com/listing/283604-greyfriars-bobby/
  51. https://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-three-lives-of-thomasina-am35917
  52. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059072/
  53. https://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-viking-queen-am45536
  54. https://www.bfi.org.uk/film/ee4e43aa-336b-5b8a-a667-6ca2226bd043/a-twist-of-sand
  55. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069505/
  56. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075141/
  57. https://film.datathistle.com/listing/293694-petes-dragon/
  58. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077890/
  59. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078924/
  60. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0553818/
  61. http://danger-man.co.uk/episodeDetails.asp?episodeID=42&seriesNo=2
  62. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0679174/
  63. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0679176/
  64. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0516857/
  65. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0516958/
  66. https://letterboxd.com/film/shimmering-light/
  67. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0539190/
  68. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0539197/
  69. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0539217/
  70. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0539239/
  71. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0577721/
  72. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0577734/
  73. http://ctva.biz/US/Drama/FantasyIsland_05_%281981-82%29.htm
  74. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/25558-don-chaffey?language=en-US
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.