The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-06-11
A New Yorker
 In Europe
BY PAUL HARRISON

London, June 11.-The English movie business seems almost dis appointingly un-Htbllywoodsy.
 You don't hear anecdotes such as are told about our own MT. Sam "Malaprop' Goldwyn. Nor are there taless of astonishing prodigality, or stories about high priced scenarists lolling around f0r months and writing nothing but inducements on five-figure checks.
 The dearth of legend may be due to some detection of British press-agents, who seem to con- sider it bad taste to brag about the sums spent on film produc- tions, and prefer having their public believe the business is be- ing run efficiently. They don't squander adjectives, either. I haven't heard single picture de- scribed as terrific" or even "co- lossal."
 Ih a Flicker
 Red tape is used mostly for wrapping around May poles. For example, it was no trick at all to see Alexander Korda, managing di- rector of London Film Productions and top genius of the English cin- ema. telephoned, received an appointment, and breezed past one secretary into Korda's unassuming presence.
 The studio offices are in an old, genteel house on an estate at Els tree, and Korda's office is in a corner on the ground floor. Com fortable but ordinary, except, for his private library of French, English and German books. Only three telephones. Workmen were scurrying around and hammering just outside the windows.
 Korda has graying hair and a heavy accent, both acquired dur ing his nineteen years producing and directing experience in Vien- ma, Rome, Berlin and Hollywood. He formed his own company here in 1892 without much capital or personal prestige, and is very mod est about such smash hits as "Hen- ry WILL" Catherine the Great" and "The Scarlet Pimpernel" He'd rather tai kabout his future pla, 2. You must admire Korda for hay ing attracted three of the shysst men of English letters. Old Ru1- yard Kipling sold him a story, and "Elephant Boy" now is being filmed in India. H. G. Wells turned in and wrote a special. piece, "Whither Mankind?", in which he speculates on develop ments of the next thousand years. I saw one of.the sets under con- struction, and plans for other me- chanistic marvels to be used in the spectacle. Wells is enthusiastic about 1t; gets out to the studios frequently, views all the rushes, and annottates his scripts to the last detail.
 shortly before his death few
 weeks ago, the enigmatic Law renee of Arabia agreed to allow
 Korda to film "The Seven Pillars of Wisdom" and Revolt in the Desert" Korda bought the screen rights from trustees to whom Law
 renee already had given the copy rights of the books, but says now
 that he won't produce the stories
 unless Lawrence's relatives and
 few intimates give their consent.
 Just matter of principle; Korda
 and Lawrence were friends.
 During his recent talent-trading junjket to Hollywood, Michael Balloon of Gaumont- British drew
 howls from his homeland when he
 opined that the best English drew films were being made in America.
 He was thinking of David Copper
 field" at the time. Alexander Kor-
 da doesn't believe this but will
 help try to correct the condition if 1t exists. Several historical sub
 jects are on his schedule. Also he's planning a film spectacle recording
 mans attempts to fly, from carlicH
 days of feathcred wings tO the
 present. It will he just . history,
 not a story, and the American,
 English and Italian air forces have ! lasraaa ta haln.