British Film Achievement

Southland Times, Issue 25747, 10 August 1945, Page 2

British Film Achievement

Noteworthy Pictures Produced

The production of a dozen or so films which have attained success, placing them in the forefront of world entertainment, is an achievement of the British picture industry this year. The achievement is the more noteworthy because not one but several companies are responsible, because the subjects cover so wide a range, and because in several instances technicolour, of which British film makers have previously been somewhat chary, is used with extraordinary beauty of effect. Among these pictures whose merits have won the appreciation of critics as well as big box office returns are: “Colonel Blimp,” which is in technicolour, takes three hours to screen and has aroused unusual enthusiasm; Noel Coward’s “This Happy Breed,” also in technicolour: “The Man In Grey,” with James Mason; “The Gentle Sex,” directed by the late Leslie Howard; “The Way Ahead,” in which David Niven has an outstanding role. Then there is the G.B.D. production of “Henry V,” in technicolour, starring and directed by Laurence Olivier, which is said to be done on a magnificent scale. Much attention has been aroused by Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit,” and by Frederick Lonsdale’s “On Approval.” Another film mentioned among the successes is “Fanny By Gaslight.” Eric Portman appears in the technicolour film “Men of Two Worlds.” Outstanding among a remarkable run of pictures is Shaw’s “Caesar and Cleopatra” which is in technicolour’ and has Claude Raines and Vivien Leigh as stars. Distribution of these pictures in New Zealand is by 20th Century Fox, and they will be screened by Amalgamted Theatres.—P.B.A.