Film Production In Wartime

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21040, 16 February 1940, Page 8

Film Production In Wartime

British film production in general is resuming on an active scale. Several studios which closed down early in September have now reopened. Four have never been closed.

Five big films have been completed at Denham studio alone since the outbreak of war. These include Diana Wynyard’s “Night of the Fire,” Gordon Harker’s “Inspector Hornleigh on Holiday,” and Leslie Banks’ “The Arsenal Stadium Mystery.”

Michael Redgrave is now making “Report on a Fugitive,” with Margaret Lockwood as his leading lady. He has just finished “A Window in London,” and A. J. Cronin’s “The Stars Look Down.”

Two special comedies, “The Band Waggon” and “Charley’s Aunt,” introducing the British radio comedian, Arthur Askey, are also in production. The British Government’s film quota plans, just announced, are behind this confident continuance in production.

British films are to be made in as great numbers as ever. The quota is now at 20 per cent, which means that one film in every five shall be. British. American film owners have promised to bring films to Britain, as before, and at least 500 are expected in 1940.

They have also agreed to send to the United States only half the English earnings of their films. This amount is generally assumed to be £8.000,000 a year. They will confer with the Board of Trade on how the £4.000,000 remaining in Britain shall be used. After March 13, 1940, the quota may be replaced by American film owners agreeing to spend a fixed sum on producing British films.