FILM MAGNATE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 August 1940, Page 6

FILM MAGNATE

SIR ANDREW DUNCAN. POST IN BRITISH CABINET. Being retained in the new British Cabinet, in his previous post as President of the 'Board of Trade. Sir Andrew Duncan will be able to carry on with his film production. In England they look upon him as a possible future Film King, for he is sponsoring a big drive for films in order to increase British export trade. Having a film king in the Cabinet is something new for Britain, but it may not be a bad thing. He was not alone in the Cabinet in this role of film magnate, for Sir John Reith, as Minister cf Information, also had plans about using' the screen for his purposes, and if the new Minister of Information. Mr A. Duff Cooper, is the man people think he is, he will not scorn the screen as a means of getting his message across to the public.

A man of great drive and energy, Sir Andrew Duncan has often been referred to as "the £lO.OOO a year man,” for that was his salary as chairman of the Central Electricity Board —and he was worth every penny of it they said. He has brought his customary vigour to the plan, which originated with the British Film Institute, of making films to show foreigners how British goods are produced. Foreigners need a good deal of convincing these days. If any man will convince them, he will. He has already brought 26 out of 33 export groups to endorse the scheme.