John Baxter (director)

John Philip Baxter (31 December 1896 – 21 January 1975) was a prolific British filmmaker active from the 1930s to the late 1950s. During that time he produced, wrote, or directed dozens of films. He directed Deborah Kerr in her first leading role in Love on the Dole (1941), and was the producer-director for the musical-comedy films of Flanagan and Allen during World War II.

Baxter was born on 31 December 1896 in Kent. He worked as a theatrical agent and theater manager. He became an assistant director in 1932. He formed his own production company with his friend John Barter. He also acted in several films produced by Lance Comfort.

Director

• Doss House (1933)
• Song of the Plough (1933)
• Flood Tide (1934)
• Lest We Forget (1934)
• Music Hall (1934)
• Kentucky Minstrels (1934)
• Say It With Flowers (1934)
• Jimmy Boy (1935)
• A Real Bloke (1935)
• The Small Man (1935)
• Men of Yesterday (1936)
• Birds of a Feather (1936)
• Hearts of Humanity (1936)
• The Song of the Road (1937)
• The Academy Decides (1937)
• Talking Feet (1937)
• Stepping Toes (1938)
• Secret Journey (1939)
• What Would You Do, Chums? (1939)
• Old Mother Riley in Society (1940)
• Laugh It Off (1940)
• Love on the Dole (1941)
• The Common Touch (1941)
• Crook's Tour (1941)
• Old Mother Riley's Ghosts (1941)
• Old Mother Riley in Business (1941)
• We'll Smile Again (1942)
• Let the People Sing (1942)
• The Shipbuilders (1943)
• Theatre Royal (1943)
• Dreaming (1945)
• Here Comes the Sun (1946)
• The Grand Escapade (1946)
• Fortune Lane (1947)
• Nothing Venture (1948)
• When You Come Home (1948)
• Three Bags Full (1949)
• The Dragon of Pendragon Castle (1950)
• The Second Mate (1950)
• Judgment Deferred (1952)
• The Last Load (1953)
• Ramsbottom Rides Again (1956)

Writer

• Music Hall (1934)
• Say It With Flowers (1934)
• Let the People Sing (1942)
• Ramsbottom Rides Again (1956)
• The Heart Within (1957)

Baxter played a major role in the foundation of National Film Finance Corporation in 1948. He also directed and produced Judgment Deferred (1952) which was the first film of Group 3, a British government backed production venture. His last film as a director was Ramsbottom Rides Again (1956) which featured Arthur Askey.

He died in London in 1975.