FILM INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21951, 7 November 1934, Page 16

FILM INDUSTRY

GAUMONT-BRITISH PLANS bid for screen talent PROGRAMME FOR NEXT YEAR "A.-> far as English pictures are concerned. it always has been the Gau-mont-Brit i.-li policy, and it alw;ivs will be our policy, to lot our subjects rest upon merit." said Mr. A. J. Williamson. Australian and >«ew Zealand representative for the Gau-inont-British Corporation, on his arrival in Auckland yesterday. "We feel that our product has lett the static where any political or legislative assistance is necessary or desirable."

The policy of the corporation, said Mr. Williamson, was definitely to cater for English-speaking audiences, and. after a careful study of demand, it had launched a programme for J9.'io which would create great goodwill among film patrons in New Zealand. "1 am personally very enthusiastic concerning the new product which has been coming forward from London during the last few months." Mr. Williamson continued. "Following the successful entry of Gaumont-British into the vast American field as direct distributor of its productions, the directors have -announced that they intend to compete with the world's producers in securing the best storjes, the most popular artists and the most skilful directors in the industry." As an indication of this, George Arliss would be seen in "The Iron Duke" early next year. The popular singer, Jan Kiepura, would make two further pictures, while Conrad Veidt would appear in three films, including "Anna Karenina," with Madeline Carroll, who also would appear in "The Loves of Mary Stuart." Another film, entitled "Sam and Sally," would have Jessie Matthews in a leading role. "Looking back on 33 years' experience in the film business, 1 think there is little question that the successful companies are those which show a history of steady progress," said Mr. Williamson. "The old Gaumont company started in England in 1898, and has the enviable record of continued progress from year to year, until today it is the largest and most self-con-tained film organisation in Europe." Progress in production since the war had been most noteworthy, and few people realised that the GaumontBritish Corporation had one of the largest distributing organisations in the world and controlled over 400 cinemas in England. Mr. Williamson said he had recently been impressed with the new picture theatres built by Amalgamated Theatres.