Directing

Alan J.W. Bell

Born November 14, 1937 · Battersea, London, England, UK

Died October 19, 2023 · aged 85

Alan James William Bell was a British television producer and director. He was born in Battersea, London. He has produced or directed many BBC series since the early 1970s, most notably Last of the Summer Wine, Ripping Yarns and the TV adaptation of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Known For

Golden GordonGolden Gordon · 1979
Golden Gordon
8.01979
MovieComedy
Barnestoneworth United is the worst football team of 1935, who lose every match. Gordon Ottershaw is, however, their loyal fan, determined to prevent them from being disbanded after their final game. To this end he recruits the players from the renowned winning team of 1922 who turn up to defeat rivals Denley Moor.
The Best of Spike MilliganThe Best of Spike Milligan · 2004
The Best of Spike Milligan
2004
MovieComedyDocumentary
Widely regarded as the greatest post-war British comedian, Spike Milligan transitioned from the groundbreaking radio comedy The Goons to television without losing any of his anarchic, surreal humor. His series Q (1968–1980) and There’s A Lot Of It About (1982) shattered comedy conventions with sketch after sketch of absurd brilliance. This compilation features classic moments like The Eurovision Joke Contest, Spike as a singing Viking maiden, and insects auditioning for a David Attenborough documentary. Interwoven with these are unique interstitials featuring Bruce Hammal at Milligan’s home—but in true Spike fashion, the interviews become sketches themselves, complete with his long-suffering comedy butler, Piles. This release is a slightly re-edited, repackaged version of the 1995 BBC VHS Spike Milligan: One Man and His Ideas.
The Hitch Hikers Guide to the GalaxyThe Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy · 1981
The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy
7.31981
MovieAdventureComedy
Don't Panic! The story of Arthur Dent, an average Englishman whose life was spared by his friend, who turned out to be an alien, while the planet Earth is destroyed. His friend tells him about the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, a guide with anything you ever needed, and wanted to know. They travel across the galaxy, meeting friendly, and not so friendly characters in order to find the great question (the answer being 42).
Whinfrey's Last CaseWhinfrey's Last Case · 1979
Whinfrey's Last Case
9.51979
MovieComedy
In 1913 the British government, hearing that the Germans are planning World War I, ask top agent Whinfrey to intervene, but instead he decides to go on holiday to Cornish fishing village Torpoint. Here he believes he has stumbled upon a smuggling ring, but in fact they are Germans who are masquerading as locals in an advance invasion party. The British arrive and arrest them, believing that Whinfrey deliberately planned everything - though it is apparent that he did not.
Lost for WordsLost for Words · 1999
Lost for Words
6.51999
MovieTV MovieDrama
Deric Longden and his wife, Aileen, come to terms with the fact that his mother, Annie, is getting too old to live on her own. Annie suffers her first stroke and a nursing home is the obvious solution, but which one and where?
Last of the Summer Wine: Getting Sam HomeLast of the Summer Wine: Getting Sam Home · 1983
Last of the Summer Wine: Getting Sam Home
8.01983
MovieComedy
Three old chums agree to take the ailing Sam on one last trip to see his flousy girl-friend, Lily Bless Her, in the middle of the night.
GaskinGaskin · 1983
Gaskin
5.01983
MovieDrama
Drama based on the case history of a Liverpool boy, Graham Gaskin, who spent most of his youth in care. Graham Gaskin says it is not just his story - 'It's all the other little Gaskins we never hear about... and it ain't history. It's now!'
Last of the Summer Wine: Uncle of the BrideLast of the Summer Wine: Uncle of the Bride · 1986
Last of the Summer Wine: Uncle of the Bride
1986
MovieTV MovieComedy
In the second TV movie outing for Roy Clarke's beloved characters, Wesley and Edie's daughter Glenda is getting married to hapless Barry, and Clegg and Compo make a new friend in Edie's brother Seymour. They are soon roped in to wedding preparations, which go about as well as could be expected...

Filmography

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The Best of Spike MilliganThe Best of Spike Milligan · 2004
The Best of Spike Milligan
2004
MovieComedyDocumentary
Widely regarded as the greatest post-war British comedian, Spike Milligan transitioned from the groundbreaking radio comedy The Goons to television without losing any of his anarchic, surreal humor. His series Q (1968–1980) and There’s A Lot Of It About (1982) shattered comedy conventions with sketch after sketch of absurd brilliance. This compilation features classic moments like The Eurovision Joke Contest, Spike as a singing Viking maiden, and insects auditioning for a David Attenborough documentary. Interwoven with these are unique interstitials featuring Bruce Hammal at Milligan’s home—but in true Spike fashion, the interviews become sketches themselves, complete with his long-suffering comedy butler, Piles. This release is a slightly re-edited, repackaged version of the 1995 BBC VHS Spike Milligan: One Man and His Ideas.

Director