BRITISH FILMS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 272, 17 November 1945, Page 5

BRITISH FILMS

BIG PRODUCTION DRIVE INCREASING DEMAND IS IN EVIDENCE Recd. 7.5 p.m. London, Nov’. 18. A sum of £10,000,000 is being spent by the British film industry in a production drive. British films are said to be more popular than ever before, and so great is the demand for them that the Government is to help speed up reconversion of requisitioned studios. De-requisitioning already has been hastened, and rebuilding has been placed on a equal priority with Government rebuilding—without affecting the prime priority of housing. Licences have been granted for importing studio equipment since the lack thereof cut the British production to 25 per cent, of pre-war output. For the first time in the cinema history British films will shortly predominate at London's leading West End theatres. Three organisations primarily responsible for the drive are: The J. Arthur Rank’s group, Lady Yule’s British National and the Ealing Studios. The new films include: “I Know Where I’m Going,” a romance set in the Hebrides, with Wendy Hillier and Roger Li vesey, “The Wicked Lady,” a period costume drama, featuring James Mason, Patricia Roc and Margaret Lockwood; Noel Coward’s “Briet Encounter, ” with Celin Johnson and Trevor Howard; “Sealing Wax” and “Rake’s Progress.” featuring Rex Harrison and Lili Palmer. The most elaborate will he “Caesar and Cleopatra,” a Shavian ’n technirolcur. wlrc’i cost

over fl.fi.Vj/iGO r.vd is the most expensive film yet riad? in Britain. Vivien Leigh, Stewart. Granger and Claude Rains are the stars.