Arthur Woods, a highly acclaimed and promising film director from Britain, had his career tragically cut short due to his untimely death at the age of 39 during World War II. He was the only British director to serve in combat and receive a valorous decoration.
As the only son of an Anglo-Argentine shipping magnate, Woods received an education at Downside School and Christ's College, Cambridge. He showcased his artistic and musical talents, but eventually dropped out of medical school to join the Festival Repertory Theatre, where he gained recognition for his scenic design abilities.
This led to a job as an editor and art director at British Instructional Films, and later, when the studio merged with British International Pictures, Woods transitioned to screenwriting and direction. In 1933, he became the studio's youngest director, and within a year, he was assigned several of BIP's largest productions.
After leaving Elstree for Warner Bros., Woods directed some of the finest quota films of the decade, including the classic thriller They Drive by Night (1938). A major international career seemed assured when MGM chose Woods to direct Haunted Honeymoon (1940). However, upon the outbreak of World War II, Woods, a skilled pilot who flew his own movie stunts, volunteered for service in the Royal Air Force.
He served as a night fighter pilot with 85 Squadron and was tragically killed in 1944. Woods' remarkable story serves as a testament to his dedication to his craft and his country, and his legacy continues to inspire and fascinate film enthusiasts to this day.
