The Infant Impressionist
Peter Argyle
Punished 2026 Peter Argyle Publshing
www.peterargyle.com
ISBN 978-1036992972
210 pages, soft back
14.2 × 22.8cm
Reviewed for Volume 4 Issue 4 Autumn 2026
The Review
This is the fourth book in Peter Argyle’s family history trilogy, even though he claims it isn’t. The other three are the Argyles in Tamworth from the Victorian and Edwardian eras through to the first part of the 20th century. The first two volumes having been reviewed in Vol4 Issue, 2 and Vol 4 Issue. 3 with the Third volume is due out at the end of 2026.
In contrast this book is about John Argyle (1911-1962) He was born in Tamworth but much of his schooling was elsewhere and his career was in London or Africa. However he is a son of Tamworth and he did start his career in Tamworth. So we will include it here.
Like all Peter’s books they are very well researched and his journalistic nose lead him down many rabbit holes to give a full picture [sic] of John Argyle’s life though in print not celluloid.
John Argyle had, it appears a fascination with making movies that showed at school. Hi did not complete the 6th form but aged 17 went to London to be an apprentice film cameraman. After a year and a half came back to Tamworth to start his own film production, Note these were silent films that were successful as B Movies. After 3 years he then moved back to London.
The book works its way through 20 years of UK film production. Mentioning actors and actresses, directors, cameramen etc. In Peter Argyles normal style everyone mentioned gets an abridged biography which can slow up the flow of the main story. but the information will be invaluable for anyone with an interest in British movies of the 20s 30s and 40s because John Argyle whilst being “only” a B movie producer actually spotted and launched many British film stars that became household names. He became known for it.
The latter half of John’s career after WW2 was for Government Film Units in several African countries, though the information on this is light. Records are sparse and people long gone.
Despite all the detail of the films, crew, locations and studios John’s first marriage is mentioned in about three places with a line in each. There is more on John’s second marriage but again the information is light. Having spoken to Peter Argyle I think, his advice, and this reviewer’s, is to talk to family members whilst they are still alive (and write things down)!
Sadly, none of the films from John’s three years in Tamworth are thought to exist.
One thing that is apparent in the book is that the London Movie trade magazine “Kine Weekly” did not like John. Probably because of his age, he was half the age of other film producers, though this softened when back in London he was attracting the top talent. One wonders where things would have gone with less criticism from “Kine Weekly”magazine. In John’s first three years
Readers of the book will be left wondering if with a different roll of the dice Tamworth could have become the UK’s Hollywood?
