J Arthur Rank; Flour Miller and Film Maker

The Rev. Robert Amos took his audience on an interactive trip discovering the life of J Arthur Rank. It was a life starting in flour milling but majoring as the founder of the British film industry.

Robert explained that J Arthur’s father Joseph was a prosperous flour miller in Hull. When the young J Arthur proved not to be academically inclined, he joined the firm at the bottom with a sweeping brush in his hands.

Like his father he was a staunch Methodist.  Robert said J Arthur’s faith was tested when he served in an ambulance unit in World War One, but he found faith again soon afterwards. Whilst attending Tooting Central Hall chapel he heard that someone was showing films to enliven Methodist church life.

He was disappointed that all the films were American and wished he could produce good British films with religious topics or showing virtue triumphing over evil. When his father gave him and his siblings a million pounds each he was able to fulfil his wish. Robert showed a clip of Leonard Sachs playing Methodist founding father John Wesley in one of these films.

Robert showed a clip from “Turn of the Tide”, an early J Arthur Rank funded talkie, filmed in Robin Hoods Bay. This film won a prize at the Venice film festival. Even so, J Arthur was having trouble getting his films shown in British cinemas so he bought over 650 cinemas including the Gaumont and Odeon chains.

J Arthur also developed Pinewood and Ealing studios.  Bob Monkhouse as a young man worked in the cartoon department. Robert reminded us of some of the memorable films produced including the Ealing comedies and many of the “Carry on” films.

Robert said J Arthur gave his creative employees free rein and realised that “primarily, films must entertain”. He hired the best, including actor John Mills and director David Lean who made the successful film “Great Expectations” and many others. His company diversified and in a joint venture founded Rank Xerox, the photocopier company.

J Arthur became Lord Rank in 1962 and died in 1972 aged 83.

In her vote of thanks Joan Turner said Robert tackled his topic with knowledge and humour.