Allan Davis

Allan George Davis (13 August 1913 – 10 January 2001) was an Anglo-Australian actor, director for film and theatre, and producer for film and television. Davis was born in London to Australian parents of Welsh descent. His father Leslie was on a business visit to London with his new wife Daisy. Six months later they returned to Sydney on the maiden voyage of the Orsova in 1914. Davis grew up in Sydney's eastern suburbs, studying at Cranbrook School and the University of Sydney where he studied economics. He became interested in drama at school and performed in plays at University. In 1933 Davis made his first professional appearance in a film, The Squatter's Daughter. He also begins appearing in plays at the Independent Theatre in North Sydney. In 1934, he moved to London, where he furthered his acting career. He was assistant manager for some Cochran shows. In London he sung and ance in a revue for Andre Charlot at the Comedy Theatre. He joined the opening season of the York Citizens' Repertory Theatre in 1935 as an actor-stage manager. He stage-managed West End shows and moved from acting to directing. During World War II he served in the British Army, rising to the rank of captain and seeing action in Italy, Greece, and Austria. In 1946 he became a director at the Bexhill Repertory. Then he was director of the Bristol Old Vic from 1949-1950. In 1950 he undertook a lecture tour of American university theaters for the Rockefeller Foundation. During this time, he was hi…