Acting
John McCallum
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.
Filmography
Browse movies and TV shows featuring John McCallum
The Woman in Question
Agnes "Astra" Huston, a fortune teller at a run-down fair, is found strangled in her bedroom. As the police que...
Trouble in the Glen
Major Jim "Lance" Lansing, an American ex-pilot of the U.S. Air Corps, returns to Scotland after the war and fi...
Miranda
A young married physician discovers a mermaid, and gives into her request to be taken to see London. Comedy and...
It Always Rains on Sunday
During a rainy Sunday afternoon, an escaped prisoner tries to hide out at the home of his ex-fiance.
The Magic Box
Now old, ill, poor, and largely forgotten, William Freise-Greene was once very different. As young and handsome...
Port of Escape
Two sailors dock in London in search of a good time. But when one of them fatally stabs a man during a scuffle...
Forever Ealing
This is a history of the England's Ealing Film Studios, from its beginnings in 1902. It follows the studio's su...
Lady Godiva Rides Again
Marjory Clark wins a competition in her Midland town and finds herself in a Festival of Britain procession as L...
The Long Memory
An innocent man is released from prison after 12 years and tracks down the witnesses who lied about him in cour...
Smiley
Smiley Greevins is a cheeky, mischievous, imaginative little boy who lives in the small town of Murrumbilla in...
Derby Day
Entertaining ensemble piece dealing with several characters who are on the way to the races on Derby day. It cl...
Traveller's Joy
A divorced couple, living hand-to-mouth in Stockholm, must first pay their hotel bill before returning to Engla...
Trent's Last Case
When a wealthy business man is found dead reporter Philip Trent is sent to investigate. Against the police conc...
A Son Is Born
This family melodrama, a tale of desertion, vengeful seduction, coincidental meeting and catharsis, spans more...
Melba
Rural Australian Nellie Melba becomes an opera star in 1900s Europe and the United States.
Made In Ealing: The Story of Ealing Studios
Documentary about the British film studio. First appeared on the BBC television programme Omnibus.
Valley of the Eagles
A Norwegian scientist builds a device that can convert sound waves into electrical energy. However, the machine...
The Loves of Joanna Godden
Joanna Godden falls heir to a farm when her father dies.
Bush Christmas
In Australia, five children pursue horse thieves through the mountains.
A Tailor-Made Man
A tailor tries to pass himself off in high society by wearing some of his rich customer's clothes.
The Calendar
The favourite for the big race is nobbled and suspicion falls on the owner. His secret admirer proves it wasn't...
Devil on Horseback
A boy pursues his ambition to be a jockey
A Boy, a Girl and a Bike
The lives of the members of a West Yorkshire cycling club are complicated by romantic entanglements and a serie...
Three in One
This film contains three short stories about life in Australia in the 1950's.
The Root of All Evil
Jeckie Farnish is a level-headed young woman, unlike her spoiled younger sister, Rushie. When the sisters becom...