
Person
John McCallum
Acting · 1918–2010 · Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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.
Known for

Skippy the Bush Kangaroo
Producer

Forever Ealing
Self

Bailey's Bird
Sir Bernard Kelvin

Attack Force Z
Executive Producer

The Magic Box
Sitter in Bath Studio

Smiley
Jim Rankin

It Always Rains on Sunday
Tommy Swann

The Calendar
Capt. Garry Anson

Nickel Queen
Director

Lady Godiva Rides Again
Larry Burns
Filmography
- 2002Forever EalingSelf
- 1986Made In Ealing: The Story of Ealing StudiosInterviewee
- 1982Attack Force ZExecutive Producer
- 1982The Highest HonourExecutive Producer
- 1979Tarka the OtterDirector of Photography
- 1979Bailey's BirdSir Bernard Kelvin
- 1971Nickel QueenDirector
- 1969To Build a FireDirector of Photography
- 1968Skippy the Bush KangarooProducer
- 1957Three in OneIntroductions
- 1956SmileyJim Rankin
- 1956Port of EscapeMitch Gillis
- 1954Trouble in the GlenMalcolm
- 1954Devil on HorsebackCharles Roberts
- 1953MelbaCharles Armstrong
- 1953The Long MemorySupt. Bob Lowther
- 1952Trent's Last CaseJohn Marlowe
- 1952Derby DayTommy Dillon
- 1952The Magic BoxSitter in Bath Studio
- 1951Lady Godiva Rides AgainLarry Burns
- 1951Valley of the EaglesDr. Nils Ahlen
- 1950Traveller's JoyReggie Pelham
- 1950The Woman in QuestionMichael Murray
- 1949A Boy, a Girl and a BikeDavid Howarth
- 1948The CalendarCapt. Garry Anson
- 1948MirandaNigel
- 1947It Always Rains on SundayTommy Swann
- 1947Bush ChristmasNarrator (voice)
- 1947The Loves of Joanna GoddenArthur Alce
- 1947The Root of All EvilJoe Bartle
- 1946A Son Is BornJohn Seldon
- 1922A Tailor-Made ManButler
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