Michael Balcon

Michael Balcon was as unlike the stereotypical Hollywood mogul as one could imagine. Diffident, formal, unassuming; he cut a typically British figure with his frequent use of understatement and modest description of his achievements in the movie business.

In this 1961 interview, illustrated with clips from some of his favorite films as a producer, Balcon talked of his love of movies, his first tentative steps in the business, and his reluctance to become involved in any other aspects of the movie world. His particular talent lay in assembling the right people for the right project - whether directors, cinematographers, writers or actors.

His major achievement came in the sixteen years where he ran Ealing Studios from 1940 onwards. However he had enjoyed several hit productions prior to that date, notably with ROME EXPRESS (1932) and THE THIRTY-NINE STEPS (1935) with Hitchcock at the helm.

The interviewer, Robert Robinson, then at the beginning of his long and distinguished television career, seemed almost overawed by Balcon's presence, despite the interviewee's modesty. However he managed to ask the right questions and elicit some lucid answers about the mogul's career to date.