Kenneth Tynan

Writing

Kenneth Tynan

Born 1927-04-02 · Birmingham, England, UK

Kenneth Peacock Tynan - was an English theatre critic and writer. Making his initial impact as a critic at The Observer, he praised Osborne's Look Back in Anger (1956), and encouraged the emerging wave of British theatrical talent. In 1963, Tynan was appointed as the new National Theatre Company's literary manager. An opponent of theatre censorship, Tynan was considered by many to be the first person to say "fuck" on British television (although this is now disputed), which was controversial at the time. Later in his life, he settled in California, where he resumed his writing career.

Acting credits

Freedom to Love poster
5.2

A sex education film dedicated to all forms of human sexuality.

Freedom to Love

1969

Lenny Bruce: Without Tears poster
5.0

The outrageous, groundbreaking comic Lenny Bruce, whose iconoclastic material in a conservative era got him into tragic trouble, is profiled by a close friend, Fred Baker, who prefers to remember the laughs Lenny Bruce's memory evokes instead of the tears. By presenting Bruce's landmark skits on the Steve Allen Show, his failed TV pilot episode and a candid interview with Nat Hentoff, Bruce's genius and anguish show through the dramatic and tragic trajectory of his career from aspiring artist to hunted "lawbreaker".

Lenny Bruce: Without Tears

1972

No artwork available
10.0

In this television documentary, Laurence Oliver is interviewed by Kenneth Tynan about his Shakespearean films.

Great Acting: Laurence Olivier

1966

No artwork available
NR

Narrated by Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, this documentary is about "Laurel and Hardy", one of the most popular and critically acclaimed comedy double acts of the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema. It features interviews with Jerry Lewis, Dick Van Dyke, Babe London, Marcel Marceau, Lucille Hardy (Ollie's wife), Bob Monkhouse, Hal Roach, Marvin T Hatley, Jack McCabe and many more.

Omnibus - Cuckoo: A Celebration of Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy

1974

Small World: Vivien Leigh poster
NR

Acclaimed film and theatre actress Vivien Leigh, producer Samuel Goldwyn and critic Kenneth Tynan join radio and TV broadcaster Edward R. Murrow on his television program Small World for a filmed conversation.

Small World: Vivien Leigh

1958

Acting in the 60's: Richard Burton poster
NR

Richard Burton is interviewed by film critic Kenneth Tynan

Acting in the 60's: Richard Burton

1967

Will the Real Mr Sellers.....? poster
NR

Banned by the BBC in 1971, director Tony Palmer's profile of the late Peter Sellers was, in the words of the film's subject himself, "the only portrait which really understood me." Sellers was an icon of comedy and a true innovator, but a look inside reveals a tragic figure. How could one of the world's most beloved comic talents have such a morbidly distorted opinion of himself? In this documentary, interviews with such friends, fans, and colleagues as Raquel Welch, Yul Brenner, Spike Milligan, Laurence Harvey, and others reveal the true personality behind the man who was loved by everyone, but still viewed himself as entirely alone.

Will the Real Mr Sellers.....?

1969

Behind the camera