Balcon, Sir Michael (1896-1977), a British motion-picture director and producer, became noted as the chief of productions at Ealing Films in London. His team of directors made films that had freshness and popular appeal. Passport to Pimlico (1949) and The Lavender Hill Mob (1951) are typical of such films.
Balcon was born in Birmingham, England. Before joining Ealing Films, he founded Gainsborough Pictures and later became director of production for the Gaumont-British Picture Corporation. In 1959, he founded Bryanston Films, and in 1964 and 1965, he was chairman of British Lion Films.
