Rank

Here's one of Hull's notables being honoured by a blue plaque. J Arthur Rank was a flour miller's son whose move into film making and distribution came about through because the Methodist church complained of the negative influence that British and American films shown in Britain were having on family life. He was inspired to set up the British National Films Company. Later he set up a distribution company to promote his films in cinemas and also developed Pinewood studios where the Bond movies are made. Rank's films always started with the distinctive gong being struck. Rank was a very wealthy man and gave much to Methodist causes and is rightly remembered by this plaque; it is a shame, then, that the house to which it is attached has not been quite so well looked after.