Biography in: John Wakeman, editor. "World Film Directors, Volume Two, 1945-1985". Pages 224-227. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company, 1988.
Described himself as an "ex-Catholic".
Directed 4 actors to Oscar nominations: Laurence Harvey (Best Actor, Room at the Top (1959)), Simone Signoret (Best Actress, Room at the Top (1959)), Hermione Baddeley (Best Supporting Actress, Room at the Top (1959)), and Anne Bancroft (Best Actress, The Pumpkin Eater (1964)). Signoret won an Oscar for her performance.
Joined the British Army as a tea-boy at the age of 15.
Member of the jury at the Venice Film Festival in 1983.