Names on the buses 332 Christopher Challis

Connections with Brighton and Hove : Christopher Challis was a legend within the film industry whose family had a connection to Brighton from the Regency period. The Challis family were publicans who ran several pubs — some of which are still open today. Among them were The Greyhound, The Chequers, The Thomas Kemp and The Black Horse at Patcham. Born in London in 1919, as a youngster Mr Challis often stayed with his grandparents in Brighton and was regarded as a local. After serving in the RAF during World War Two, he achieved fame and respect as a cinematographer working on more than 70 feature films. He was nominated for several BAFTA Awards for Best British Cinematography, including a win in 1966 for Stanley Donen’s film Arabesque, starring Gregory Peck and Sophia Loren. One of his favourite projects was Genevieve (1953) about a vehicle in the Veteran Car Run from London to Brighton. Other notable films include Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines (1965), Sink the Bismarck! (1960) and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968). Challis was also an accomplished and enthusiastic still photographer. He joined The Royal Photographic Society in 1936, gaining his Associateship in 1945 and Fellowship in 1948. He remained a member until his death in 2012 at the age of 93.

332 Alexander Dennis Enviro - carried name since October 2020.