FIVE YEAR PLAN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 31 December 1938, Page 6

FIVE YEAR PLAN

“Charlie Laughton,” said Alexander Korda, who should know, "has done more for British films than any single other person in this industry.” It was the last day of shooting on “Rembrandt.” We were down in the fish market by the River Colne at Denham. That day it smelt rank with fish and wilting vegetables and grease paint, and the flies were having a field day. I didn’t envy Laughton who was busy swallowing raw herrings by the tail. He strolled across to join me, and lighting a cigarette with care amongst his whiskers, said “In five years I shall be finished as an actor. I’m not like Ronald Colman; I shan’t grow old romantically and gracefully. As it is now I get credit for lots of things I don’t do.” “Take ‘Mutiny on the Bounty.' People had been told by that time that 1 was supposed to be a decent actor. So they watched the Tahiti scenes and revelled in them, and said, “Look at those lovely girls: isn’t Laughton a great actor?” And they watched the storm scenes and said, “Aren't they thrilling? Isn’t Laughton a great actor?” And they shivered over the lashings and hugged themselves and said “Isn’t he a beast? Isn’t he a great actor?” But in their hearts they’d rather see Gary Cooper any day—and so they should.”