Robert Clark (film executive)

Robert Clark (1905–1984) was a Scottish film executive best known for being head of production at Associated British Picture Corporation in the late 1940s and 1950s. It was a successful time for the company, films including The Dam Busters (1955).^[1]

Among Clark's achievements were negotiating a contract with Warner Bros,^[2] and signing Audrey Hepburn^[3] and Richard Todd to long-term contracts before they were stars. He also financed early films of J. Lee Thompson and Michael Anderson.

In 1949, he announced ABPC would make ten films at a total cost of £2 million.^[4] He was heavily reliant on the choices of his scenario director, Frederick Gotfurt. Clark lost nearly £530,000 on production in his first two years in charge and recouped only £330,000 in distribution. He reduced production costs by remaking old company properties, co-financing with the NFFC and going into co productions.^[5]

According to writers Sue Harper and Vince Porter, the films in which Clark had the most personal interest were The Dam Busters (1955), The Good Companions (1957) and The Moonraker (1958).^[6] He was removed from his position as head of production in January 1958 after a series of clashes with Warner Bros and was replaced with C.J. Latta. Following his removal as Director of Production at Elstree Studios, Clark was appointed Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman of ABPC, a position he retained until the takeover of the group by EMI in 1969, a move fiercely opposed by Clark and most fellow directors.

Robert Clark also acquired a majority shareholding in the Inverness-based Caledonian Associated Cinemas Ltd, Scotland's biggest exhibition chain, and remained Chairman of this group until his death.

Select films under Clark's regime

References

^ Vincent Porter (2000). "The Robert Clark Account: Films released in Britain by Associated British Pictures, British Lion, MGM, and Warner Bros., 1946-1957". Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television. 20 (4): 469–511. doi:10.1080/713669742.
^ "Latest Gossip From Film Worlds". The Newcastle Sun. No. 9798. New South Wales, Australia. 28 May 1949. p. 10. Retrieved 10 April 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
^ "Her Fluttering Eyelashes Brought Her Fame". The World's News. No. 2638. New South Wales, Australia. 12 July 1952. p. 1. Retrieved 10 April 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
^ "BRITISH FIRM TO MAKE 10 MAJOR FILMS IN '49". New York Times. 25 February 1949. p. 27.
^ Harper and Porter p 77-78
^ British Cinema of the 1950s: The Decline of Deference By Sue Harper, Vincent Porter p 76, ISBN 9780198159346.