Young American TV director in the 1950s who took a break to travel around Europe, settled in England, and established a career directing some landmarks of 1960s cinema.Lester's career began with a Peter Sellers collaboration, the short "The Running, Jumping, and Standing Still Film" (1959). He reached major prominence with the Beatles movies, "A Hard Day's Night" (1964) and "Help!" (1965), chronicling the fictional adventures of the pop group in appropriately zany, exuberant style. "The Knack . . . and How To Get It" (1965), from the popular play by Ann Jellicoe, with Michael Crawford and Rita
Began reading aged three; taught self piano aged 12, became a jazz aficionado
Performed (with The Vocal Group), floor managed and assistant directed at local Philadelphia TV station (WCAU); graduated to director within one year
1954
Moved to Europe as roving newspaper reporter; supported himself as jazz pianist in Europe and North Africa
1955
Moved to Great Britain; wrote TV musical "Curtains for Harry" (broadcast by Associated Rediffusion); had own short-lived TV show, "The Dick Lester Show"; directed "Downbeat," a series of jazz programs for Associated Rediffusion
1956
After marriage, left England, worked in TV in Canada and then Australia; after about a year returned to England and began collaborating (directing, co-writing) with Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan on TV series "Idiot's Weekly, Price Twopence," "A Show Called Fred" and "Son of Fred"
