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A British empire of their own? Jewish entrepreneurs in the British film industry

Spicer, Andrew H.

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Authors

Andrew Spicer Andrew2.Spicer@uwe.ac.uk
Professor in Cultural Production



Abstract

The article provides an overview of the contribution of Jewish entrrpreneurs to the British film industry from the beginnings through to the present. It argues that film was an open and rapidly expanding industry that offered exciting opportunities in production, distribution and exhibition for individuals regardless of class, background or ethnicity; it therefore provided an arena in which Jewish traditions of risk-taking, independence and ambition could thrive, though not without courting anti-Semitic prejudice. As the film industry contracted from the 1950s onward there were less opportunities, but nevertheless the Jewish presence remained strongly represented. Overall, the shape and contours of British cinema as it evolved are inconceivable without acknowledging the Jewish influence.

Citation

Spicer, A. H. (2012). A British empire of their own? Jewish entrepreneurs in the British film industry. Journal of European Popular Culture, 3(2), 117-129. https://doi.org/10.1386/jepc.3.2.117_1

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Dec 15, 2012
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Journal of European Popular Culture
Print ISSN 2040-6134
Publisher Intellect
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 3
Issue 2
Pages 117-129
DOI https://doi.org/10.1386/jepc.3.2.117_1
Keywords United Kingdom, cinema, film industry, entrepreneur, Jew, Jewishness, anti-semitism
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/941108
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1386/jepc.3.2.117_1

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