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Western Mail (Perth) (29/Dec/1927) - Film Flickers

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Film Flickers

There is a possibility that the brilliant young British film director, Mr. Alfred Hitchcock, may sign an American contract under which he will receive £17,000 a year.

Mr. Hitchcock, who is 28 years of age, Is now directing "The Farmer's Wife," a screen adaptation of the Eden Phillpotts's play, under the contract he has signed with British International Pictures, whereby be will make for that company 12 films, within a period of 39 months, dating from March 1 this year.

British International Films, however, realising his exceptional talent, have approached him with regard to a revision of his contract, which would mean an extension of that time and would guarantee his being retained for a longer period in England. Under this suggested revision his salary would rise to £17,000 a year, and if Mr. Hitchcock accepts this it will mean that the various American companies who have made offers for his service will be disappointed.

Mr. Hitchcock is generally regarded as the leading British film director. He began his career with Famous Players at the Islington studios as an art director and graduated through every department of the British film production business until he was given the opportunity to direct a picture known as "The Pleasure Garden." "The Pleasure Garden" was regarded by film experts as something entirely new in film production, and Mr. Hitchcock followed this with a picture called "The Mountain Eagle," and with "The Lodger," made from the story by Mrs. Belloc Lowndes, after which he directed the Noel Coward play "Easy Virtue." Since then he has made what is acknowledged to be the finest film of the year, "The Ring," in which Carl Brisson is star.