THE MAGIC BOX (1951)

Cast

Plot

Released in 1951, it was a project of the Festival of Britain. Adapted by Eric Ambler from the controversial biography by Ray Allister, it gave a biographic account of William Friese-Greene, who first designed and patented a working cinematic camera. This claim is subject to some controversy, but evidence now tends to support it. The film was notable for its cast: many well-known British film actors appeared in cameos. It was completed and shown just before the end of the Festival, but the general release was not until 1952. A curious classic of British cinema.