J. Arthur Rank, a member of a Yorkshire flour-milling family, entered
films in the mid-thirties, apparently seeing them as a means of propagating
his Methodist faith. Having failed to secure proper distribution for
a quasi-religious film, The
Turn of the Tide (1935), he set about acquiring the means of not
only production, but distribution and exhibition as well. Within a few
years Rank owned two of three major circuits, studios, laboratories
and equipment-manufacturers. To many he appeared as an arch-monopolist
and ogre, to others the salvation of the British industry.
To his credit he encouraged much independent film-making, allowing
such talents as Carol Reed, David
Lean, Launder and Gilliat,
Michael Powell and many others to develop.
But his ambitions to establish Britain as a rival to Hollywood toppled
the delicate balance of the industry, his ventures one by one faded
away as did the directing talent which had given temporary lustre to
films in the mid-forties. Rescued by the firm accountancy of John Davis,
the Rank Organisation survived, but with films a secondary interest
behind hotels, real estate, ballrooms, bingo and - most profitable of
all - copying machines.
