THE LATEST REBEL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 December 1938, Page 8

THE LATEST REBEL

ROBESON TO CUT FREE. The latest rebel against the big commercial film industry is Paul Robeson. During the past low months he has had many offers io star in Britisn and ‘American films. One company wanted him fol’ a screen biography of Jack Johnson. Another asked him to star in a musical on “Show Boat” lines. Instead, he has been singing at mass demonstrations to raise money for Spain, China or the suppressed negroes of Africa and America; or appearing at the Unity Theatre, official mouthpiece of the London Left-wing movement. Now Robeson has announced his intention of never again appearing <n a film sponsored by any of the major film companies. His quarrel is not one of stories or contracts, but of artistic principles. He feels there is no room in rhe big commercial industry for individual artistry; .that producers are moving farther away from reality and that it grows increasingly difficult to give a sincere performance. So he means to cut free. Bui he has very ambitious plans tor films to be made outside the big combines, in a few months he goes to Russia to. do a film with. Eisenstein, creator of such classics as “Potemkin.” When this is finished lie will return to Hollywood for a film about Oliver Law. the African negro who led a contingent of the International Brigade .against the insurgents at. Madrid. Robeson himself will raise the money bv concert tours. Nobody could doubt Robeson's integrity. His is a brave revolt. if he can carry it through over ail the obstacles against independent production.