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THE FILM SINCE THEN
proved disappointing at the box-office and, after a few more uninteresting pictures (Women Everywhere, Dance Fever, Her Private Life, A Modern Dubarry), Korda was despatched by Paramount in 1931 to the Elstree studios. After one film for Paramount-British, Reserved For Ladies, which was incidentally better than anything he had done in America, Korda formed his own company, London Film Productions in 1932. With him was his old friend the late Lajos Biro, upon whom Korda has so often relied for guidance in his scripts. His first two pictures were Wedding Rehearsal and The Girl from Maxim's, both frothy, and then he invited Charles Laughton to appear in an inexpensive production which, with evident nostalgia for his more successful days in Hollywood, Korda titled The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933).
Everything about Henry VIII is so well-known that comment to-day may appear superfluous. It seems, however, to have been generally overlooked that this, the most famous and successful of British films overseas, had little British about it except its subject, its stars, and that it was made near London. Its story, direction, photography, settings and music were all by Continentals. In an interview with Stephen Watts at the time, Korda said : ' An outsider often makes the best job of a national film. He is not cumbered with excessively detailed knowledge and associations. He gets a fresh slant on things. For instance, I should hate to try to make a Hungarian film, while I would love to make one about the Highlands that would be a really national Scottish film — and indeed I plan to do so. The best Hungarian film I have ever seen was made by the Belgian, Jacques Feyder. I believe that Clair could make a better London picture than any of the English directors — a London film that would be international. I know there are people who think it odd that a Hungarian from Hollywood should direct an English historical film, but I can't see their argument. The greatest folly is to set out to try to suit everybody. It is the sure road to
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