Leslie Arliss

Former journalist and film critic 'Leslie Arliss' (qv) began his film career as a screenwriter in the 1930s, mainly for Gainsborough Pictures. He continued as a writer for ten years, leaving Gainsborough in 1941 when he was offered a chance to direct at Associated British. It wasn't long before he returned to Gainsborough and brought with him a young actor named 'James Mason' (qv), and the films they made together there garnered both of them public recognition. Their first, _The Man in Grey (1943)_ (qv), was quite popular with wartime audiences, who found Mason's villainy just what they needed to hiss at during the depths of the war. Their next two films together, _A Lady Surrenders (1944)_ (qv) and _The Wicked Lady (1945)_ (qv), were also wildly successful, especially the latter with star 'Margaret Lockwood' (qv) gaining attention for her appearance in a succession of low-cut (for 1945) dresses. It became the #1 box-office film in Britain for 1946.Arliss then left Gainsborough for London Films, producer 'Alexander Korda' (qv)'s company; unfortunately, his tenure there was anything but productive. He and Korda did not get along at all and fought constantly (he was taken off of Korda's _Bonnie Prince Charlie (1948)_ (qv), which was completed by 'Anthony Kimmins' (qv)--and even Korda himself--but to no avail; it was one of the major flops of 1948). Arliss left London Films under less-than-amicable conditions and it was three years before he made another film. His latter work was a considerable step down in quality from his earlier films, and he wound up his career directing television.::[email protected]