I Think They Call Him John

I Think They Call Him John is a British short film, written and directed by John Krish and produced by Jack Carruthers, with Anne Balfour-Fraser serving as the film's executive producer, for Samaritan Films. Made in 1964, it is a narrated observation of an elderly, lonely man during one day of his life.[1]

I Think They Call Him John
Directed byJohn Krish
Written byJohn Krish
Produced byJack Carruthers
Executive producer
Anne Balfour-Fraser
StarringJohn Cartner Ronson
Narrated byVictor Spinetti
Bessie Love
Edited byKevin Brownlow
Production
company
Samaritan Films
Release date
  • June 1964 (1964-06)
Running time
28 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

It was released at the Polish Film Festival in Warsaw.

Narrative

An elderly man, Mr John Cartner Ronson (born 5 January 1889, died about 1965) has lost his wife some 9 years previously and now lives a humdrum life in a small flat on a modern housing estate. The film records him going about his daily routine, cleaning, preparing modest meals and interacting with his pet budgerigar, even sleeping.[2] The film is intended to demonstrate Mr Cartner Ronson's solitude in old age and isolation from society in spite of the great contribution he has made in his earlier life as a miner, soldier and gardener. There is within the film an intention to rouse guilt for the lack of integration and appreciation that modern society then provided for this man. Most of the film is shot inside the flat with a few outside context shots showing the density of the buildings contrasting with the insularity of Mr Cartner Ronson's existence.[2] Throughout the film the subject is afforded great tenderness, respect, and dignity.

Production

The film was shot on 35 mm, black and white film by David Muir.

Recorded without sound, it is narrated by Victor Spinetti and Bessie Love.[1]

References
  1. McGahan, Katy (2012). "I Think They Call Him John". ScreenOnline. British Film Institute. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  2. Quinn, Anthony (22 November 2010). "Film of the Week: A Day in the Life: Four Portraits of Post-War Britain". The Independent. Retrieved 6 December 2013.


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