Hitchcock Chronology: Famous Players-Lasky
Entries in the Hitchcock Chronology relating to Famous Players-Lasky...
1919
April
- The US film company Famous Players-Lasky announces that it plans to open studios in the UK and development work begins in October 1919 at a new studio complex in Islington, London. Islington Studios are officially opened in May 1920.[1]
1920
- During the summer, Hitchcock, who was keen to work for Famous Players-Lasky British Producers Limited, submits a portfolio of title cards for The Sorrows of Satan and The Great Day and is eventually hired by the studio's Supervising Art Director, Norman Gregory Arnold. He initially begins working for the studio on a freelance part-time basis.[2][3]
May
- 6th - Famous Players-Lasky's new Islington Studios is officially opened. It is regarded as being the most technically advanced studio in the country.[4]
- 18th - The Times newspaper carries an article about Famous Players-Lasky's new Islington Studios, describing the large water tank (used for underwater filming) and detailing the ingenious method by which the studios can overcome the notorious London fog, should it enter the building.[5]
1921
- Alma Reville, who had spent the previous six years working for the London Film Company based in Twickenham, begins working at Famous Players-Lasky's Islington Studios in early 1921 as the Floor Secretary to actor-director Donald Crisp.[6]
April
- 27th - Hitchcock begins working full-time for Famous Players-Lasky British Producers Limited at their Islington Studios.
1922
- During summer of 1922, Famous Players-Lasky begins to wind up it's UK operation and lays off many of it's staff — including the 22 year old Alma Reville. The hard-working Alfred Hitchcock survives the job cuts and continues to work at the Islington Studios, which are leased out to other filmmakers.
February
- 12th - Film canisters suddenly catch fire in the basement of Famous Lasky Film Services in Wardour Street, London. Employee Daisy Sharp is blown backwards through a doorway by the force of the explosion but is able to raise the alarm and evacuate the building. As firemen arrive, a second explosion is heard. By the time the fire is brought under control, four firemen have been severely burned.[7]
1927
November
- Several British and Australian newspapers report on Hitchcock's new contact with British National Pictures (which soon becomes British International Pictures) on a salary that is set to rise to £17,000 a year. Presumably based information contained in a studio press handout, they claim Hitchcock entered the film industry as a teenager — in reality he began working for Famous Players-Lasky in 1921, aged 21.[8]
References
- ↑ Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and Light (2003) by Patrick McGilligan, pages 47-48
- ↑ Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and Light (2003) by Patrick McGilligan, page 50
- ↑ London's Hollywood: The Gainsborough Studio in the Silent Years (2014) by Gary Chapman, chapter 3.
- ↑ London's Hollywood: The Gainsborough Studio in the Silent Years (2014) by Gary Chapman, chapter 2.
- ↑ The Times (18/May/1920) - Film Production in England
- ↑ Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and Light (2003) by Patrick McGilligan, page 53
- ↑ The fire was reported in several newspapers, including the Dundee Evening Telegraph (13/Feb/1922).
- ↑ Some newspapers report Hitchcock was only 16 when he started working in films! See Nottingham Evening Post (15/Nov/1927) - £300 a Week for Young Man, The News (Adelaide) (15/Nov/1927) - Clerk to director, The West Australian (17/Dec/1927) - The Kinema and Western Mail (Perth) (29/Dec/1927) - Film Flickers
