Robert Tronson

Directing

Robert Tronson

Born May 18, 1924 · Chilmark, Wiltshire, England, UK

Died November 27, 2008 · aged 84

Robert Tronson was a pioneer in the early days of directing live television plays. After a brief foray into film directing, he returned to television to direct episodes of some of the most popular series of the 1960s, '70s, '80s and '90s.

Known For

The Colour of BloodThe Colour of Blood · 1973
The Colour of Blood
9.01973
MovieTV MovieHorror
A young girl on a train finds out that her companion is a serial killer.
Kill Two BirdsKill Two Birds · 1975
Kill Two Birds
8.01975
MovieTV MovieThriller
Two female tourists are taken hostage by criminals who are chasing a man recently released from prison who knows the whereabouts of stolen money
Ring of SpiesRing of Spies · 1964
Ring of Spies
7.01964
MovieDramaCrime
The film is based on the actual events of the Portland Spy Ring trial in the U.K. A disgruntled Navy Clerk is transferred to a secret research establishment and is subsequently black-mailed/paid by Czech intelligence to procure secrets for them. He seduces the secretary who controls the most secret documents, and they enjoy the fruits of their treachery until the British authorities begin to close in on them.
Never Back LosersNever Back Losers · 1961
Never Back Losers
5.01961
MovieCrime
Two rival gangs are trying to fix horse races and a jockey is attacked and left for dead in a stage-managed car crash. An insurance investigator makes routine enquiries into the "accident" and one of the gang leaders feels threatened by this and takes counter measures.
Man at the Carlton TowerMan at the Carlton Tower · 1961
Man at the Carlton Tower
1961
MovieCrime
The police investigate the murder of an officer, killed during a jewel robbery.
The Next Voice You SeeThe Next Voice You See · 1975
The Next Voice You See
9.01975
MovieTV MovieHorror
An American jazz pianist, blinded in a London bank robbery ten years before, makes his first return appearance in England at an engangement party where he believes he hears the voice of the gunman who cost him his sight.
On the RunOn the Run · 1963
On the Run
1963
MovieCrime
An ex-con escapes from jail to clear himself about a robbery charge
Number SixNumber Six · 1962
Number Six
1962
MovieCrime
An international criminal arrives in London, and a detective is anxious to pin something on him for some unprovable murders of former lovers. The villain starts to suspect servants and henchmen of being a police spy known as "Number Six".

Movies

The Colour of BloodThe Colour of Blood · 1973
The Colour of Blood
9.01973
MovieTV MovieHorror
A young girl on a train finds out that her companion is a serial killer.
Kill Two BirdsKill Two Birds · 1975
Kill Two Birds
8.01975
MovieTV MovieThriller
Two female tourists are taken hostage by criminals who are chasing a man recently released from prison who knows the whereabouts of stolen money
Ring of SpiesRing of Spies · 1964
Ring of Spies
7.01964
MovieDramaCrime
The film is based on the actual events of the Portland Spy Ring trial in the U.K. A disgruntled Navy Clerk is transferred to a secret research establishment and is subsequently black-mailed/paid by Czech intelligence to procure secrets for them. He seduces the secretary who controls the most secret documents, and they enjoy the fruits of their treachery until the British authorities begin to close in on them.
Never Back LosersNever Back Losers · 1961
Never Back Losers
5.01961
MovieCrime
Two rival gangs are trying to fix horse races and a jockey is attacked and left for dead in a stage-managed car crash. An insurance investigator makes routine enquiries into the "accident" and one of the gang leaders feels threatened by this and takes counter measures.
Man at the Carlton TowerMan at the Carlton Tower · 1961
Man at the Carlton Tower
1961
MovieCrime
The police investigate the murder of an officer, killed during a jewel robbery.
The Next Voice You SeeThe Next Voice You See · 1975
The Next Voice You See
9.01975
MovieTV MovieHorror
An American jazz pianist, blinded in a London bank robbery ten years before, makes his first return appearance in England at an engangement party where he believes he hears the voice of the gunman who cost him his sight.
On the RunOn the Run · 1963
On the Run
1963
MovieCrime
An ex-con escapes from jail to clear himself about a robbery charge
Number SixNumber Six · 1962
Number Six
1962
MovieCrime
An international criminal arrives in London, and a detective is anxious to pin something on him for some unprovable murders of former lovers. The villain starts to suspect servants and henchmen of being a police spy known as "Number Six".
The TraitorsThe Traitors · 1962
The Traitors
5.81962
MovieThriller
The cat and mouse game between government agents and a spy ring that has taken secret documents from a plane crash in Germany, not far from an US military research centre.
Man DetainedMan Detained · 1961
Man Detained
6.01961
MovieCrime
A petty burglar sets a chain of events in motion when he steals some money that the owner doesn't want the authorities to know about.
All in Good TimeAll in Good Time · 1964
All in Good Time
1964
Movie
A Guinness advert in the form of a short comic film set in a traditional country pub.

TV Shows

ITV PlayhouseITV Playhouse · 1967
ITV Playhouse
7.01967
SeriesDrama
ITV Playhouse is a British comedy-drama TV series that ran from 1967 to 1983, which featured contributions from playwrights such as Dennis Potter, Rhys Adrian and Alan Sharp. The series began in black and white, but was later shot in colour and was produced by various companies for the ITV network, a format that would inspire Dramarama. Actors appearing in the series included Leslie Anderson, Gwen Nelson, Ricky Alleyne, Pat Heywood, Michael Elphick, Ian Hendry, Edward Woodward, Margaret Lockwood, Jessie Matthews and Lloyd Peters.
The AvengersThe Avengers · 1961
The Avengers
7.81961
SeriesCrime
A quirky spy show of the adventures of eccentrically suave British Agent John Steed and his predominantly female partners. Jonathan Steed - an urbane, proper gentleman spy - teams with various assistants throughout the series' run, including Dr. David Keel, Cathy Gale, Emma Peel and Tara King, to repeatedly save the world from diabolical schemes plotted by equally diabolical evil-doers (among them robots and man-eating monsters).
The SaintThe Saint · 1962
The Saint
7.31962
SeriesCrime
Simon Templar is The Saint, a handsome, sophisticated, debonair, modern-day Robin Hood who recovers ill-gotten wealth and redistributes it to those in need.
The BillThe Bill · 1984
The Bill
6.81984
SeriesCrimeDrama
The daily lives of the men and women at Sun Hill Police Station as they fight crime on the streets of London. From bomb threats to armed robbery and drug raids to the routine demands of policing this ground-breaking series focuses as much on crime as it does on the personal lives of its characters.
BergeracBergerac · 1981
Bergerac
6.71981
SeriesDrama
Jim Bergerac is a detective sergeant in The Foreigners Office who likes to do things his own way. While dealing with his own personal demons Bergerac has a knack of finding trouble, and sometimes causing it.
All Creatures Great and SmallAll Creatures Great and Small · 1978
All Creatures Great and Small
7.81978
SeriesComedyDrama
The trials and misadventures of the staff at a country veterinary office in Yorkshire. James Herriot, a young animal surgeon, moves to a small Yorkshire town to begin his first job.
Rumpole of the BaileyRumpole of the Bailey · 1975
Rumpole of the Bailey
7.11975
SeriesDramaComedy
Rumpole of the Bailey is a British television series created and written by the British writer and barrister John Mortimer. It stars Leo McKern as Horace Rumpole, an aging London barrister who defends any and all clients, and has been spun off into a series of short stories, novels, and radio programmes.
ThrillerThriller · 1973
Thriller
6.91973
SeriesDramaCrime
Thriller is a British television series, originally broadcast in the UK from 1973 to 1976. It is an anthology series: each episode has a self-contained story and its own cast. As the title suggests, each story is a thriller of some variety, from tales of the supernatural to down-to-earth whodunits.
BoonBoon · 1986
Boon
5.81986
SeriesComedyDrama
Boon is a British television drama and modern-day western series starring Michael Elphick, David Daker, and later Neil Morrissey. It was created by Jim Hill and Bill Stair and filmed by Central Television for ITV. It revolved around the life of a modern-day Lone Ranger and ex-firefighter, Ken Boon.
Father BrownFather Brown · 1974
Father Brown
6.81974
SeriesMysteryCrime
Based on the short stories by G. K. Chesterton, Father Brown is a Roman Catholic priest and amateur detective.
Dempsey and MakepeaceDempsey and Makepeace · 1985
Dempsey and Makepeace
6.61985
SeriesDrama
Dempsey and Makepeace is a British television crime drama made by London Weekend Television for ITV, created and produced by Ranald Graham. The leading roles were played by Michael Brandon and Glynis Barber, who later married each other on 18 November 1989. The series combined elements of previous series such as the mis-matching of British and American crime-fighters from different classes as seen in The Persuaders! and the action of The Professionals.
Hetty Wainthropp InvestigatesHetty Wainthropp Investigates · 1996
Hetty Wainthropp Investigates
7.31996
SeriesDramaCrime
Instead of spending her golden years lying down, the indomitable Hetty Wainthropp found her calling late in life. Combining common sense, her husband, and her pocketbook, this senior sleuth takes on all the cases the police deem too minor.
Man in a SuitcaseMan in a Suitcase · 1967
Man in a Suitcase
7.21967
SeriesDrama
Accused of treason, a former U.S. intelligence officer based in London tries to clear his name, taking on freelance jobs around Europe as he searches for answers.
Gideon's WayGideon's Way · 1965
Gideon's Way
7.01965
SeriesDrama
Gideon's Way is a British television crime series made by ITC Entertainment in 1964/65, based on the novels by John Creasey. The series was made at Elstree in twin production with The Saint TV series. It starred Liverpudlian John Gregson in the title role as Commander George Gideon of Scotland Yard, with Alexander Davion as his assistant, Detective Chief Inspector David Keen, Reginald Jessup as Det. Superintendent LeMaitre, Ian Rossiter as Detective Chief Superintendent Joe Bell and Basil Dignam as Commissioner Scott-Marle. The show did not acknowledge any help from Scotland Yard, any other police force or advisor. Daphne Anderson starred as his wife, Kate with Giles Watling as young son, Malcolm, Richard James as older son, Matthew who seemed to have a lot of new girlfriends and Andrea Allan as daughter, Pru. Unusually for police stories, Gideon was shown as a family man at home though urgent phone calls from his bosses tend to disrupt family plans too often. However, he did admit in "State Visit" that his wife had walked out on him for a while years ago when he put the job first and her second. They live in an expensive detached house in Chelsea.
CallanCallan · 1967
Callan
7.01967
SeriesDrama
Callan is the title of a British television series set in the murky world of espionage. Originally produced by ABC Weekend Television and later Thames Television, it was aired on the ITV network over four seasons spread out between 1967 and 1972. The series starred Edward Woodward as David Callan, a reluctant professional killer for a shadowy branch of the British Government's intelligence services known as 'the Section'.
ManhuntManhunt · 1970
Manhunt
6.81970
SeriesDrama
Manhunt is a World War II drama series consisting of 26 episodes, produced by London Weekend Television in 1969 and broadcast nationwide.
Mystery and ImaginationMystery and Imagination · 1966
Mystery and Imagination
5.81966
SeriesDramaMystery
Mystery and Imagination is a British television anthology of classic horror and supernatural dramas. Five series were broadcast from 1966 to 1970 on ITV and produced by ABC and Thames Television.
The Darling Buds of MayThe Darling Buds of May · 1991
The Darling Buds of May
7.91991
SeriesComedyDrama
An idyllic picture of 1950's rural England as seen through the lives of the Larkins, a farm family living in Kent. The show revolves around Pa Larkin, a man of a kind and mischievous nature with a penchant for getting into scrapes and talking his way out of them with equal equanimity; and his daughters, as they deal with growing up and discovering the joys and sorrows of young love.
CampionCampion · 1989
Campion
6.31989
SeriesMysteryDrama
Campion is a television show made by the BBC, adapting the Albert Campion mystery novels written by Margery Allingham. Two series were made, in 1989 and 1990, starring Peter Davison as Campion, Brian Glover as his manservant Magersfontein Lugg and Andrew Burt as his policeman friend Stanislaus Oates. A total of eight novels were adapted, four in each series, each of which was originally broadcast as two separate hour-long episodes. Peter Davison sang the title music for the first series himself; in the second series, it was replaced with an instrumental version.
Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) · 1969
Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)
7.01969
SeriesComedySci-Fi & Fantasy
Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) is a British private detective television series. In the initial episode Hopkirk is murdered during an investigation, but returns as a ghost. Randall is the only main character able to see or hear him, although certain minor characters are also able to do so in various circumstances throughout the series.
The Power GameThe Power Game · 1965
The Power Game
10.01965
SeriesDrama
The Power Game is an ITV drama spin-off from The Plane Makers (1963–65), created by Wilfred Greatorex. Broadcast for three 13-episode series, Patrick Wymark reprised his role as Sir John Wilder, who here ruthlessly pursues boardroom machinations and tangled relationships.
VillainsVillains · 1972
Villains
7.51972
SeriesCrimeDrama
Follows the linked fates of nine bank robbers, led by George. It begins with the nine men meeting in prison during their appeal and traces each individual after the group escape from custody.
Hunters WalkHunters Walk · 1973
Hunters Walk
1973
SeriesCrimeDrama
Hunters Walk – devised by Dixon of Dock Green creator Ted Willis – was about crime on a smaller – but no less dramatic – scale, and featured a police force in the fictional Midlands town of Broadstone (the series was actually filmed in Rushden, Northants). Sharing several similarities with the classic 1950s police drama, in particular a small-town settingband storylines encompassing the more human aspects of police work, Hunters Walk offered a contrasting alternative to the 1970s more hard-hitting, action-led urban crime dramas. The small, idiosyncratic team of officers faced a typically broad spectrum of cases, from neighbours’ disputes and hooliganism to suspected murder.
The BaronThe Baron · 1966
The Baron
5.71966
SeriesDrama
The Baron is a British television series, made in 1965/66 based on the book series by John Creasey, written under the pseudonym Anthony Morton, and produced by ITC Entertainment. It was the first ITC show without marionettes to be produced entirely in colour.