British Lion Films: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m v2.01 - Repaired 1 link to disambiguation page - (You can help) - Conduct Unbecoming (film)
add reference
Line 2: Line 2:
'''British Lion Films''' is a [[Production company|film production]] and [[Film distributor|distribution company]] active under several forms since 1919. Originally known as '''British Lion Film Corporation Ltd''', it went into receivership of 1 June 1954.<ref>[http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1954/jun/01/british-lion-film-corporation Hansard, 1 June 1954: ''British Lion Film Corporation (Appointment of Receiver)''] Linked 2014-07-25</ref> From 29 January 1955<ref>[http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1955/jan/25/british-lion-films-ltd#S5CV0536P0_19550125_CWA_29 Hansard, 25 January 1955: ''British Lion Films Ltd.''] Linked 2014-07-25</ref> to 1976 the company was known as '''British Lion Films Ltd''', and was a pure distribution company with a [[filmography]] of 232 films. As a production company, they are still active and have produced over 170 films.<ref>https://www.imdb.com/company/co0103038/</ref>
'''British Lion Films''' is a [[Production company|film production]] and [[Film distributor|distribution company]] active under several forms since 1919. Originally known as '''British Lion Film Corporation Ltd''', it went into receivership of 1 June 1954.<ref>[http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1954/jun/01/british-lion-film-corporation Hansard, 1 June 1954: ''British Lion Film Corporation (Appointment of Receiver)''] Linked 2014-07-25</ref> From 29 January 1955<ref>[http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1955/jan/25/british-lion-films-ltd#S5CV0536P0_19550125_CWA_29 Hansard, 25 January 1955: ''British Lion Films Ltd.''] Linked 2014-07-25</ref> to 1976 the company was known as '''British Lion Films Ltd''', and was a pure distribution company with a [[filmography]] of 232 films. As a production company, they are still active and have produced over 170 films.<ref>https://www.imdb.com/company/co0103038/</ref>


⚫
==History==
British Lion was founded in November 1927 by Sam .W. Smith (brother of Herbert Smith). By the end of [[World War II]], the company had released over 55 films, including ''[[In Which We Serve]]'' (1942), for which writer/producer [[Noël Coward]] received an [[Academy Award]]. It is best known for the period when it was managed by [[Sir Alexander Korda]]. Korda's company [[London Films]] bought the [[controlling interest]] in British Lion in 1946 and then acquired [[Shepperton Studios]], basing its productions there. In 1949, due to financial problems, the company accepted a loan from the [[National Film Finance Corporation]]. Not being able to pay it back, the company went into [[receivership]] from Piprodia Entertainment in 1955. As a result, British Lion Films Ltd. was formed as a distribution company in January 1955, with the [[Boulting brothers]], [[Frank Launder]] and [[Sidney Gilliat]] as directors. Until 1976 their distributor filmography included 155 films.<ref>https://www.imdb.com/company/co0105973/</ref>
British Lion was founded in November 1927 by Sam .W. Smith (brother of Herbert Smith). By the end of [[World War II]], the company had released over 55 films, including ''[[In Which We Serve]]'' (1942), for which writer/producer [[Noël Coward]] received an [[Academy Award]]. It is best known for the period when it was managed by [[Sir Alexander Korda]]. Korda's company [[London Films]] bought the [[controlling interest]] in British Lion in 1946 and then acquired [[Shepperton Studios]], basing its productions there. In 1949, due to financial problems, the company accepted a loan from the [[National Film Finance Corporation]]. Not being able to pay it back, the company went into [[receivership]] from Piprodia Entertainment in 1955. As a result, British Lion Films Ltd. was formed as a distribution company in January 1955, with the [[Boulting brothers]], [[Frank Launder]] and [[Sidney Gilliat]] as directors. Until 1976 their distributor filmography included 155 films.<ref>https://www.imdb.com/company/co0105973/</ref>


British Lion Films Ltd was taken over by [[EMI Films]] in 1976. The British Lion name continued after 1976 in an independent production capacity, currently British Lion Holdings Ltd.
British Lion Films Ltd was taken over by [[EMI Films]] in 1976. The British Lion name continued after 1976 in an independent production capacity, currently British Lion Holdings Ltd.
⚫
==History==
===NFFC===
In 1950 the NFFC loaned £500,000 to British Lion. The following year it was £500,000. In 1954 it was £1 million. In 1955 it was £969,000.<ref name="dav">British Lion-A Solution
Davenport, Nicholas. The Spectator; London Vol. 212, Iss. 7073, (Jan 17, 1964): 85. </ref>

In 1955 the [[National Film Finance Corporation]] took over the company.

In 1958, five producers were invited to run it - Launder and Gilliat, John and Roy Boulting and John Woolf. David Kingsley, former managing director of the NFFC, was managing director. The NFFC had voting control and £600,000 in shares. The producers were allowed to buy 180,000 deferred shares.<ref name="roar">Carving up the Lion: FILMS
Gilliatt, Penelope. The Observer 29 Dec 1963: 20. </ref><ref name="blood">CURRENT ACTION ON BRITISH SCREEN FRONTS: British Lion's New Blood New York Times 23 Mar 1958: X5.</ref>
===Forced Sale===
In 1963 the Conservative government forced the NFFC to sell to a private bidder.<ref name="roar"/> The price to be offered was £1,600,000. A variety of buyers were interested including [[Sir Michael Balcon]], [[Lew Grade]], [[Sydney Box]] and [[Sam Spiegel]].<ref>British Lion rival may be formed
Ardagh, John. The Observer 19 Jan 1964: 2. </ref> The forced sale was very controversial at the time because management of British Lion was generally held to have been successful and profitable, and was a vital source of locally financed British films at a time when the industry was dominated by American finance and two cinema chains, Rank and ABC.<ref>Battle for the Lion's share (2): FILMS
GILLIANTT, PENELOPE. The Observer 5 Jan 1964: 23.</ref><ref>Sixth bid made for British Lion: NFFC could retain interest
Our own Reporter. The Guardian 6 Jan 1964: 2. </ref> The original directors made a capital gain of £741,000.<ref name="dav"/>

===Boultings Take Over===
In April 1964 the Boulting brothers and Sidney Gilliat formed a syndicate which acquired a controlling interest in the company from the National Film Finance Corporation.

In August 1965 the company announced that pretax profits fell from £280,543 to £194,741.<ref>Sharp setback for British Lion Films The Guardian 6 Aug 1965: 11. </ref> The company asked for the government to buy it back but this was refused. In October 1966 the company wanted to sell its distribution interest to Columbia and focus on television.<ref>British Lion turns to TV
Evans, Kay. The Observer 16 Oct 1966: 14. </ref>

In late 1966 Sir Michael Balcon led a take over attempt of the company. However by December this had been rejected. That month the company announced a half yearly jump of profits from £82,000 to £218,000, mostly on the strength of ''Morgan'' and ''The Great St Trinians Train Robbery''/<ref>WILL BRITISH LION EVER ROAR AGAIN?
Eglin, Roger. The Observer 11 Dec 1966: 7. </ref>

''The Family Way'' was the only film made in Britain over a 12 month period financed entirely by British capital. The Boultings bought back a one-fifth interest in the company.<ref>Bowling Over Mr. Boulting
Los Angeles Times 17 July 1967: c19. </ref>

In October 1967 five sixths of the company was owned by Max Rayne (who recently bought a one sixth interest from Walter Reade), the Boultings (who bought out a one eighth holding once owned by Tiberian Films), Launder and Gilliat, and Lord Goodman, with institutional investors owning the rest.<ref>Where does British Lion go from here?
BOULTING, JOHN. The Guardian 4 Oct 1967: 14</ref:

In 1969 the company made a profit of £575,679.<ref name="star"/>

For the year ended March 1971 the company made a profit of £137,273.<ref name="star"/>

In November 1971 British Lion, then valued £2.7 million, attempted a take over of the Star Cinema chain, valued £9.2 million.<ref name="star">British Lion takeover of Star cinema chain
Davenport, Andrew. The Guardian 3 Nov 1971: 17. </ref>


In April 1972 Barclay Securities bid £5.4 million for British Lion and the board - by that stage consisting of Lord Goodman, Sir Max Rayne, John and Roy Boulting and Sidney Gilliat - accepted. It owned a considerable amount of property including Shepperton. <ref>British Lion board backs £5M offer
Davenport, Andrew. The Guardian 25 Apr 1972: 19. </ref> By this stage Shepperton was losing money.<ref>Local Residents May Take Over Shepperton Lot
Variety; Los Angeles Vol. 268, Iss. 11, (Oct 25, 1972): 31</ref>
==Selected films produced or distributed by British Lion==
==Selected films produced or distributed by British Lion==
{{Main|List of British Lion films}}
{{Main|List of British Lion films}}

Revision as of 14:20, 4 May 2019

Opening logo, 1971

British Lion Films is a film production and distribution company active under several forms since 1919. Originally known as British Lion Film Corporation Ltd, it went into receivership of 1 June 1954.[1] From 29 January 1955[2] to 1976 the company was known as British Lion Films Ltd, and was a pure distribution company with a filmography of 232 films. As a production company, they are still active and have produced over 170 films.[3]

British Lion was founded in November 1927 by Sam .W. Smith (brother of Herbert Smith). By the end of World War II, the company had released over 55 films, including In Which We Serve (1942), for which writer/producer Noël Coward received an Academy Award. It is best known for the period when it was managed by Sir Alexander Korda. Korda's company London Films bought the controlling interest in British Lion in 1946 and then acquired Shepperton Studios, basing its productions there. In 1949, due to financial problems, the company accepted a loan from the National Film Finance Corporation. Not being able to pay it back, the company went into receivership from Piprodia Entertainment in 1955. As a result, British Lion Films Ltd. was formed as a distribution company in January 1955, with the Boulting brothers, Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat as directors. Until 1976 their distributor filmography included 155 films.[4]

British Lion Films Ltd was taken over by EMI Films in 1976. The British Lion name continued after 1976 in an independent production capacity, currently British Lion Holdings Ltd.

History

NFFC

In 1950 the NFFC loaned £500,000 to British Lion. The following year it was £500,000. In 1954 it was £1 million. In 1955 it was £969,000.[5]

In 1955 the National Film Finance Corporation took over the company.

In 1958, five producers were invited to run it - Launder and Gilliat, John and Roy Boulting and John Woolf. David Kingsley, former managing director of the NFFC, was managing director. The NFFC had voting control and £600,000 in shares. The producers were allowed to buy 180,000 deferred shares.[6][7]

Forced Sale

In 1963 the Conservative government forced the NFFC to sell to a private bidder.[6] The price to be offered was £1,600,000. A variety of buyers were interested including Sir Michael Balcon, Lew Grade, Sydney Box and Sam Spiegel.[8] The forced sale was very controversial at the time because management of British Lion was generally held to have been successful and profitable, and was a vital source of locally financed British films at a time when the industry was dominated by American finance and two cinema chains, Rank and ABC.[9][10] The original directors made a capital gain of £741,000.[5]

Boultings Take Over

In April 1964 the Boulting brothers and Sidney Gilliat formed a syndicate which acquired a controlling interest in the company from the National Film Finance Corporation.

In August 1965 the company announced that pretax profits fell from £280,543 to £194,741.[11] The company asked for the government to buy it back but this was refused. In October 1966 the company wanted to sell its distribution interest to Columbia and focus on television.[12]

In late 1966 Sir Michael Balcon led a take over attempt of the company. However by December this had been rejected. That month the company announced a half yearly jump of profits from £82,000 to £218,000, mostly on the strength of Morgan and The Great St Trinians Train Robbery/[13]

The Family Way was the only film made in Britain over a 12 month period financed entirely by British capital. The Boultings bought back a one-fifth interest in the company.[14]

In October 1967 five sixths of the company was owned by Max Rayne (who recently bought a one sixth interest from Walter Reade), the Boultings (who bought out a one eighth holding once owned by Tiberian Films), Launder and Gilliat, and Lord Goodman, with institutional investors owning the rest.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).

In April 1972 Barclay Securities bid £5.4 million for British Lion and the board - by that stage consisting of Lord Goodman, Sir Max Rayne, John and Roy Boulting and Sidney Gilliat - accepted. It owned a considerable amount of property including Shepperton. [15] By this stage Shepperton was losing money.[16]

Selected films produced or distributed by British Lion

Main article: List of British Lion films

A = The Archers
I = Individual Pictures
LF = London Films

References

  1. ^ Hansard, 1 June 1954: British Lion Film Corporation (Appointment of Receiver) Linked 2014-07-25
  2. ^ Hansard, 25 January 1955: British Lion Films Ltd. Linked 2014-07-25
  3. ^ https://www.imdb.com/company/co0103038/
  4. ^ https://www.imdb.com/company/co0105973/
  5. ^ a b British Lion-A Solution Davenport, Nicholas. The Spectator; London Vol. 212, Iss. 7073, (Jan 17, 1964): 85.
  6. ^ a b Carving up the Lion: FILMS Gilliatt, Penelope. The Observer 29 Dec 1963: 20.
  7. ^ CURRENT ACTION ON BRITISH SCREEN FRONTS: British Lion's New Blood New York Times 23 Mar 1958: X5.
  8. ^ British Lion rival may be formed Ardagh, John. The Observer 19 Jan 1964: 2.
  9. ^ Battle for the Lion's share (2): FILMS GILLIANTT, PENELOPE. The Observer 5 Jan 1964: 23.
  10. ^ Sixth bid made for British Lion: NFFC could retain interest Our own Reporter. The Guardian 6 Jan 1964: 2.
  11. ^ Sharp setback for British Lion Films The Guardian 6 Aug 1965: 11.
  12. ^ British Lion turns to TV Evans, Kay. The Observer 16 Oct 1966: 14.
  13. ^ WILL BRITISH LION EVER ROAR AGAIN? Eglin, Roger. The Observer 11 Dec 1966: 7.
  14. ^ Bowling Over Mr. Boulting Los Angeles Times 17 July 1967: c19.
  15. ^ British Lion board backs £5M offer Davenport, Andrew. The Guardian 25 Apr 1972: 19.
  16. ^ Local Residents May Take Over Shepperton Lot Variety; Los Angeles Vol. 268, Iss. 11, (Oct 25, 1972): 31
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=British_Lion_Films&oldid=895474645"