W. P. Kellino

William Philip Gislingham (13 September 1873 in London, England – 31 December 1957, in London, England) was a British music hall musician and acrobat (part of the Famous Kellinos) and, using the name W. P. Kellino, a film director. He was producing films for Cricks and Martin when Matthew J McKeigue suggested that Billy Merson, who had never appeared in films, should be featured in a comedy.

Gislingham and McKeigue fixed up the production of “A Spanish Lore Spasm”, which was Merson's first picture. For this they made use of Cricks and Martin's studio at Croydon. The film was an instant success, and arrangements were immediately made for a second comedy, with Billy Merson as the star. They also decided to feature Merson in a series of two-reelers, and this decision brought about the formation of the Homeland Productions Syndicate, Ltd.