FILMLAND SURPRISE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19767, 15 February 1927, Page 5

FILMLAND SURPRISE

GERMAN FOR BRITISH STUDIO. DUPONT AND J. D. WILLIAMS. Private cable advice received in Auckland states that Mr E. Dupont, the fam,ous German film producer, has been appointed dircctor-in-chicf of British National Productions. Some weeks ago the annoncement was made that Mr J. D. Williams, one of the most outstanding figures in the film industry to-day, had parted with ; British National Productions, and that he intended taking action against the producers for alleged breach of agreement. Years ago, about 1911, Mr Williams was in New Zealand. He was the first to open the threepenny and sixpenny picture houses in the Dominion, and he 1 built the old Empress Theatre in Wellington. He was here only a short time, however, when he went to Australia. Later ho went back to America (his native country) and organised the First National Corporation. About 1923 ho was, perhaps, the biggest man in the film industry in America, having many of the famous ■stars under contract to First National. It is understood that he later went to England, where ho was made managing director of British National Productions.

Eight years ago Mr Dupont was unknown to the film world. Before he commenced his career in the movies he was a German newspaper critic. He is only 33 years of age. For some years he had been at the head of the renowned German film company. “Ufa.” With his production of “Variety.” the German-made film distributed by Paramount, came fame. Notable' among tho films made by British National Productions arc “Noll Gwynn” and “London.” Dorothy Gish, tho American star, played the leading part in both productions.