From Nightfighter to Scriptwriter

The Life of JOC Orton

Stephen Musk and Mike Davage

Published by Red Rose Books, 2020

Original A5 blue card covers.

iv + 44 pages, illustrated.

Limited edition of 50 copies, this being an unnumbered, out-of-series copy, signed by Stephen Musk and Mike Davage.

John Overton Cone “JOC” Orton was a talented all-round

From Nightfighter to Scriptwriter

The Life of JOC Orton

Stephen Musk and Mike Davage

Published by Red Rose Books, 2020

Original A5 blue card covers.

iv + 44 pages, illustrated.

Limited edition of 50 copies, this being an unnumbered, out-of-series copy, signed by Stephen Musk and Mike Davage.

John Overton Cone “JOC” Orton was a talented all-round sportsman, representing Norfolk at cricket, hockey, and rugby. But it is deeds away from the sports field for which he deserves to be remembered. During the Great War he was an aviator and was the first man to have the idea of dropping supplies to a friendly force being besieged by enemy combatants. After he returned to civilian life in 1925, he became a talented scriptwriter and spent the next 20 years playing a highly influential role in the British cinema industry. He worked with many of the outstanding film stars of the time, including Will Hay, Alistair Sim, Arthur Askey, and the Crazy Gang. The highlight of JOC’s career was co-writing the script for the hilarious Oh, Mr Porter! which starred Will Hay. In 1935-1936 he visited Australia, where he wrote the script for the film The Flying Doctor. In this he included a cameo for Don Bradman in what was the great batsman’s sole acting role.

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