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The Rank Organisation was created by J. Arthur Rank in 1937 to consolidate all of his interests in the film industry. A history of these interests prior to 1937 is found under the entry for J. Arthur Rank.
From its inception in 1937 the Rank Organisation became a major force in British film making, distribution and exhibition. Its trade mark was characterised by its corporate logo of the Gongman and it acquired these properties:
1938: ODEON cinema chain. It had been named after its founder's own ambition: Oscar Deutsch Entertains Our Nation. 1939: Amalgamated Studios in Elstree. 1941: Gaumont-British Picture Corporation who owned 251 cinemas and the Shepherd's Bush Studios. Sold in 19491949 is the common year starting on Saturday. see link for calendar) Events January-February January 4 RMS Caronia of the Cunard Line departs Southampton for New York on her maiden voyage January 4 February 22 Series of winter storms in Nebraska, Wyoming, to BBC TelevisionThe British Broadcasting Corporation is responsible for broadcasting several television stations in the United Kingdom. For general details on the history of their television services, please visit the main BBC article. If you were looking for more specif. 1942Events January January 1 World War II: The word " United Nations" is first officially used to describe the Allied pact. January 2 World War II: Manila is captured by Japanese forces. January 5 Amy Johnson disappears in flight over River Thames estuary ass: ParamountParamount can refer to: Paramount, California a city in Los Angeles County Paramount Pictures a motion picture company Paramount Records a record label United Paramount Network ( UPN), a television network in the United States, owned by Viacom Inc. a Para cinema chain .Eventually the Rank Organisation owned five major film studios which included both Pinewood Film Studios and Denham Film Studios and 650 cinemas. Independent Producers Ltd, employed some of Britain's greatest directors, such as Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger ( Black Narcissus, The Red Shoes), David Lean ( Brief Encounter, Great Expectations), Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat ( I See A Dark Stranger , The Happiest Days of Your Life ), Ken Annakin (Holiday Camp) and Muriel Box (The Seventh Veil).
1945: The Company of Youth, the Rank Organisation acting school often referred to as The Charm School, launched several careers including those of Diana Dors and Christopher Lee. 1959 to 1969, the company made over 500 weekly short cinema films in the Look at Life series, each film depicting an area of British life.