Michael Relph (born in Broadstone, Dorset, England, February 16, 1915, died in Selsey, West Sussex, England, September 30, 2004) was a Hollywood art director and producer. He began his film career in 1933 as an assistant art director with Michael Balcon who was working as an art director at MGM and Warner Brothers.
In 1942 Relph began work at Ealing as chief art director. He worked mainly on Basil Dearden's films, and in 1949 was nominated for an Academy Award for art direction for his work on the Stewart Granger vehicle Saraband for Dead Lovers.
Later in his career, Relph worked as a producer. He had a 20-year partnership with Basil Dearden, beginning with 1949's Kind Hearts and Coronets and ending with Dearden's death in 1971. From 1972 to 1979, he was chairman of the British Film Institute's Production Board.
His son, Simon Relph, is also a film producer and former chairman of BAFTA.
Son of the actor George Relph (1888-1960).
Michael Relph succeeded Michael Balcon as chairman of the British Film Institute Production Board in 1972, following Balcon's retirement. Relph later returned to commercial film production with Don Boyd in 1982 - 'An Unsuitable Job for a Woman'.
Michael Relph's career in films began in 1933 working as an assistant art director with Michael Balcon who was working as an art direcror for MGM-British and Warner Brothers. In 1942 Relph joined Ealing as chief art director working mainly on Basil Dearden's films. He was a producer and occasional writer. After producing 'Kind Hearts and Coronets', Relph began his long, prolific partnership with Basil Dearden, up until Dearden's death in 1971. Sometimes credited as a joint director with Dearden, 'Davy' made in 1957 is regarded as his directorial debut.
Daughter, with Maria Barry, Emma Relph, actress.
Son, with Doris Gosden, Simon Relph, film producer and former chairman of BAFTA.
