Large Increase in Korda's Earnings

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23181, 29 October 1938, Page 20 (Supplement)

Large Increase in Korda's Earnings

BENEFIT FOR PRODUCERS Alexander Korda and Samuel Goldwyn will each get £250,000 a year more for their films from United Artists as the result of the conversations completed in London between Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Alexander Korda, and Samuel Goldwyn. Producers making pictures for United Artists will bo paid a larger percentage of the earnings of their films and will be entitled to a share in the general profits of United Artists. " This new arrangement," said Samuel Goldwyn, "is revolutionary. It is a magnificent thing for British films, which, in a year's time, I expect, will bo enjoying greater prosperity than ever before. " Mr. Korda can look forward to getting back the entire cost of his films from the United States alone. This change in United Artists requires a board meeting in New York under American law, and Mr. Korda, Miss Pickford, and myself are sailing at once to hold this meeting. " I shall then go back to Hollywood to begin production of ' Graustark,' with Gary Cooper and Merle Oberon. Miss Pickford will return to London to produce a film with Mr. Korda. Mr. Fairbanks is remaining in London writing a film story for me. " I have also a very big subject which must be made in London. I shall produce that in colour in collaboration with Mr. Korda." jjr, Goldwyn thinks that the new arrangement will attract to United Artists the best producers of London and Hollywood. # _ It is understood that negotiations have already been opened with Paul Czinner for a series of films starring Elisabeth Bergner, and with Herbert Wilcox for films starring Anna beagle. Stars working for United Artists here are to be exchanged with the company's leading Hollywood players. Last vear Alexander Korda and Samuel 6oldwyn offered to buy out the holdings in United Artists of Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and Charles Chaplin, for £1,200,000. That deal has now been abandoned.