BRITISH ACTORS

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 April 1938, Page 4

BRITISH ACTORS

NOT INTERESTED IN FILMSLONDON. March 1. ' Mr William K. Howard, the American director who has just returned to America after making several pictures in this country, has been explaining what is wrong with the British Him industry. The trouble, he thinks, is mainly due to three factors: Effect of the West End stage on English writers; Effect of the West. End stage on actors; and Geographical position of the studios —so near London that actors lare able to work for stage and screen at the same time. “Practically every writer in London' who might do good work for the screen has written a play, is writing la play, or is going to write a play,” Mr Howard says. “They are more interested in the theatre than in the screen, and as a result they never take time to learn Him technique. There are any number of writers in London who can turn out la fine dialogue scene, but who know nothing and care less about scenario writing.” The same is true, Air Howard finds, of English actors. “Most of them,” he says, “would much rather play at the Old Vic for £2O a week than for £2OO a week in the films.” When stago ind;;"?/’ to

work ii>r the sunui, ne deciares, they l|ake two afternoons off for matinees, leave early, arrive late next morning, and are tired out after sitting up till 2 a.m. in West End restaurants. Darryl Zanuck, according to Mr. Howard, often starts'work at 3 or 4 a.m. “In England,” he laments, “you can’t even get them to the studio by 8.” Air Howard believes that the new Quota liaw will save the British industry after breaking- it. When American companies have to produce a certain number of films in England at £lOO,OOO each they will be forced to develop new directors, actors, and other talent. Air Robert Donat, the British 32-year-old film star, who recently refused .an offer from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer of £65,000 a year for nine years, will probably appear in four pictures to be made by M-G-M. in this country. He will receive £30,000 a film, or £120,000 in lull. Tim first, will he Air Victor Saville's , production of “The Citadel,” based on ( Dr. A. J. Cronin’s best seller. Aliss , Elizabeth Allan will play opposite him, and Mr King Vidor, .the Ameri- , can, who made “The Big Parade” and other notable films, will direct. Air Donlat may also appear in .the ! Royal Air Force story,, “Shadow of the 1 Wing.” He also has a contract to make two more films for Air Alex- 1 ander Korda.

GORDON HARKER TO MARRY. The engagement of Miss Christine Barry, the London actress, and Mr Gordon Harker, the well-known stage and film comedian, was announced yesterday. Miss Barry said last night to a representative of “The Daily Telegraph and Morning Post”: “I have no idea at the moment when the wedding will'

be. We are both working, and we shall have to wait until we both happen to be free at the same time. I have no intention of giving up the stage when I marry. “I first met Mr Harker when we were playing together in ‘Roadhouse’ at -the Whitehall Theatre five years ago. Since then we have played together in three plays.”

Mr Harker is 52. He is playing this week at the- Golders Green Hippodrome. Miss Harry, who has been ou the stage for about seven years, is in Walter Hackett’s new play, “The Toss of a Coin,” now in rehearsal at the Vaudeville Theatre. She took over the part yesterday from Miss Phyllis dare, who is ill.