Biography
John Gervase Dighton (8 December 1909 – 16 April 1989) was a British playwright and screenwriter. Born in London, he was educated at Charterhouse School and Caius College, Cambridge. He wrote for the stage before entering films in 1935, initially contributing to comedies starring Will Hay and George Formby, and later working at Ealing Studios from 1939.
Dighton is best known for his screenplays for Ealing comedies including Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) and The Man in the White Suit (1951), the latter earning him an Academy Award nomination. He received a second nomination for Roman Holiday (1953). Other credits include Went the Day Well? (1942), Nicholas Nickleby (1947) and The Devil's Disciple (1959).
His stage play The Happiest Days of Your Life (1947) ran for more than 600 performances in the West End and was adapted for the screen by Dighton in 1950. He also adapted his play Who Goes There! for the 1952 film.
