"STAR POLICY."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20958, 22 August 1931, Page 11 (Supplement)

"STAR POLICY."

TREND IN BRITAIN. GROWTH OF BUSINESS. It is often argued that although British studios have succeeded in producing very many of this year's most popular films, they have no " star policy," such as the American Corporations have. But British studios are treading very cautiously on this particular pedal, as they are trying to avoid the mistakes made by their brethren on the other side of the Atlantic and do not wish to swamp themselves with stars whose popularity would soon wane, or for whom they could not find suitable story material. They arq, however, gradually snipping up the stars as they find the versatility which they demand.

British and Dominion Films have Tom Walls' players, including Ralph Lynn, under contract, and it is understood that Chili Bouchier, the now magnificent -' Cinderella " of British films, may soon also bo signed "on the dotted line." The Twickenham Film Company has seized Richard Cooper on contract, and also dainty Elizabeth Allen, who is now ing leads for them and is rapidly developing into a star. Austin .Trevor is also sjgned up with this company, .due, jio doubt, to his success in Alibi," which has not yet been released in New Zealand. Gainsborough have Gordon Harker exclusively for the next five years, and Leslie ilenson will make six films for the same company. Renee Clama is also said 1,0 be under contract to them.

At the same time, the companies have been paying a great deal of attention to their sound engineers, producers and directors. Due to the growing demand for the good quality British lilin, the Twickenham, British and Dominions, British Mon, Gainsborough and Gaumont companies are all preparing ambitious schedules for the coming season, and many more contracts are contemplated, on the condition, of course, that the recipients possess the necessary qualifications.