Mayflower Pictures
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film production |
| Founded | 1937 |
| Founder | Erich Pommer, Charles Laughton |
| Defunct | 1940; 1954 |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom, North America, International |
Key people | Erich Pommer (producer), Charles Laughton (actor, co-founder) |
| Products | Motion pictures |
Mayflower Pictures—officially known as The Mayflower Pictures Corporation, Limited and frequently referred to simply as "Mayflower"—was a British film production company established in 1937 by producer Erich Pommer and actor Charles Laughton. Operating until 1940, the company produced three films featuring Laughton: the comedy Vessel of Wrath (1938), directed by Pommer and co-starring Elsa Lanchester and Robert Newton; the comedy-drama St. Martin's Lane (1938), directed by Tim Whelan with Vivien Leigh and Rex Harrison; and the adventure thriller Jamaica Inn (1939), helmed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Maureen O'Hara alongside Robert Newton. Most of these productions were shot at Elstree Studios, with minimal on-location filming, distributed domestically by Associated British Picture Corporation and internationally through Paramount Pictures.
Mayflower earned a reputation for assembling leading creative professionals and delivering notable British cinema. In 1938, the Evening Chronicle labeled it "Potentially the most important unit working in this country." Following the outbreak of World War II in 1939, both Laughton and Pommer explored relocating Mayflower to Hollywood, considering offers from Paramount and RKO Radio Pictures. Ultimately, they opted to sign individual contracts with RKO, resulting in Mayflower’s indefinite suspension and formal dissolution in 1940.
The company was revived in 1949 when producers Maxwell Setton and Aubrey Baring acquired outstanding interests from Laughton and Pommer. This second phase yielded seven films: the crime drama The Spider and the Fly (1949) directed by Robert Hamer; adventure crime Cairo Road (1950) and adventure The Adventurers (1951), both directed by David MacDonald; romantic drama So Little Time (1952) under Compton Bennett’s direction; war dramas Appointment in London (1953) by Philip Leacock and They Who Dare (1954) directed by Lewis Milestone; plus the adventure film South of Algiers (1953) directed by Jack Lee. Except for So Little Time, all screenplays were written by Robert Westerby.
During this later period, filming emphasized extensive location shoots alongside studio work at Pinewood Studios, Shepperton Studios, and Elstree. The UK distribution varied among General Film Distributors, Associated British-Pathé, and British Lion Films, while North American releases involved partnerships with Universal-International Pictures, Realart Pictures, Lippert Pictures, Associated Artists Productions, United Artists, and Allied Artists Pictures. The company ceased operations again in 1954.
Formation of the company (1936–1937)
In December 1936, The Mayflower Pictures Corporation, Limited was established and officially registered in London on 25 January 1937 by German-born producer Erich Pommer alongside British actor Charles Laughton. Both were influential figures within the British film sector, united by a goal to create films that would resonate with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. They focused on engaging top-tier talent for their projects. Laughton turned down multiple offers from Hollywood to dedicate himself fully to this venture. Together, they acted as joint managing directors.
In February 1937, Pommer and Laughton approached American filmmaker William K. Howard to potentially direct Mayflower’s initial production. They prioritized securing compelling scripts before commencing filming, commissioning writers such as Clemence Dane, Sir Hugh Walpole, and Hollywood playwright Bartlett Cormack to develop material. While Laughton was initially committed to the stalled project I, Claudius, he intended to devote himself entirely to Mayflower once freed.
By June 1937, Laughton revealed plans for three films starring himself with Pommer producing, collectively budgeted at £250,000: Vessel of Wrath, St. Martin's Lane, and Jamaica Inn, with at least one—Jamaica Inn—intended for Technicolor production. In July, British producer John Maxwell became a financial partner by acquiring a significant stake. Maxwell, who chaired Elstree Studios and Associated British Picture Corporation, guaranteed funding and secured distribution channels within the UK and North America while arranging for production facilities at Elstree Studios. Despite these advantages, Laughton reported challenges in obtaining an American distributor. He also expressed his intention to retire from acting within two years to concentrate on producing.
The company's first film was a comedy adapted from W. Somerset Maugham’s short story The Vessel of Wrath, initially titled Hot Heaven. Laughton cast his wife Elsa Lanchester along with Robert Newton and Tyrone Guthrie. Principal photography occurred mainly at Elstree Studios with additional location shooting in France; Pommer took on directing duties. Notably, the film included one of the longest continuous takes for a sound film at that time—lasting four and a half minutes.
By October 1937, plans were underway for a fourth film based on an original screenplay by Cormack about the rise and decline of the London newspaper The Morning Post, featuring Laughton as lead and directed by Pommer; however, this project never advanced to production.
Vessel of Wrath premiered on 24 February 1938 at London's Regal Theatre but experienced limited audience attendance due to competition from Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Laughton promoted the film across Europe where it received mixed critical reception but was recognized by some as one of the year's standout releases. In August 1938, Paramount Pictures acquired North American distribution rights under the title The Beachcomber. The film debuted in New York on 24 December 1938 followed by a Montreal premiere on 13 January 1939 before its general release across North America on 10 March 1939.
Growing Significance (1937–1939)
The company’s second feature, St. Martin's Lane, was an original narrative crafted by Clemence Dane that focused on the West End scene, designed specifically for Laughton and Mayflower Pictures. The screenplay was a collaborative effort between Cormack, Laughton, and Pommer. In February 1938, Pommer arranged for Vivien Leigh to join the cast, securing her from Alexander Korda's London Films; Leigh had previously worked with Pommer on Fire Over England. The film was directed by American-born Tim Whelan, who was based in Britain and had earlier partnered with Pommer on Farewell Again. This production set a new British record for the number of performers involved: 3,000 extras, 200 chorus girls, and over 50 principal actors. Among the notable supporting cast were Rex Harrison, Larry Adler, and Tyrone Guthrie.
At Elstree Studios, one of the most extensive sets ever constructed for a British film was created, including an intricately detailed exterior of the Holborn Empire Theatre. Whelan shot alternative scenes and dialogues designed to appeal separately to British and American audiences to maximize market impact. After completing filming at Elstree, the movie was previewed on 22 June 1938 at the Astoria Theatre during an industry conference; feedback from this screening led to further editing before its public debut. Pommer showcased the film in the United States between July and August 1938, securing distribution rights for Mayflower’s initial two films and launching plans for three additional productions over the following fifteen months. Paramount Pictures agreed to distribute Vessel of Wrath but insisted that St. Martin's Lane be re-edited to suit American viewers. The film’s premiere took place on 19 October 1938 at London’s Carlton Theatre, notable as the first film premiere broadcast on television.
Mayflower Pictures’ third venture was an adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's 1936 novel, Jamaica Inn, with an initial screenplay by Sir Hugh Walpole. Laughton invested nearly all his personal savings into this project. In May 1938, after returning from America in June, Alfred Hitchcock signed on as director. He assembled a team of writers including Sidney Gilliat, Joan Harrison, J. B. Priestley, and his wife Alma Reville. Filming took place partly on location in Cornwall but primarily at Elstree Studios to ensure smooth production without interruptions.
While costumes for Mayflower’s first two films cost only £6 in total, those for Jamaica Inn escalated to £600; it was reported as Mayflower’s most costly production up to that time. The film also marked the launch of Irish actress Maureen O'Hara’s career under contract with Mayflower Pictures after a year of preparation. The cast included Robert Newton, Leslie Banks, Marie Ney, and Horace Hodges. Premiering on 12 May 1939 at London’s Regal Theatre, it was hailed as the company’s "finest production yet."
In early March 1939, following the North American success of The Beachcomber, Pommer traveled to New York where Mayflower secured an exclusive global distribution agreement (excluding the UK) with Paramount Film Service for four films. This contract covered completed titles Vessel of Wrath (released in North America December 1938) and St. Martin's Lane (not yet released internationally), as well as ongoing projects Jamaica Inn and a forthcoming adaptation of The Admirable Crichton, featuring Laughton, Lanchester, and O'Hara—thereby ensuring stable distribution channels for Mayflower’s growing slate of productions.
Transition to Hollywood (1939–1940)
On 10 May 1939, Pommer embarked on a voyage to the United States, where he met with Paramount executives Budd Rogers and Neil F. Agnew, who had been appointed to roles within Mayflower Pictures Corporation. The purpose was to attend Paramount's sales convention in Los Angeles and negotiate the distribution of St. Martin's Lane and Jamaica Inn as part of Paramount’s 1939–40 lineup. Pommer aimed to secure a two-year extension with Paramount to produce an additional five films following The Admirable Crichton. He returned to England on 21 June 1939.
In June 1939, Laughton, Lanchester, and O'Hara traveled to the United States for the New York premiere of Jamaica Inn, conducted business discussions regarding The Admirable Crichton, and commenced filming RKO Radio Pictures' remake of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (July–October 1939). Prior to departure, O'Hara married George H. Brown, Mayflower’s assistant production manager.
Laughton and Pommer declared intentions to return to England after filming concluded to produce Mayflower’s fourth project, The Admirable Crichton, starring Laughton. This film was scheduled for production in late 1939 with an early 1940 release under director David MacDonald. However, the outbreak of World War II in September 1939 interrupted British film production; many British nationals were hesitant to return home, and Pommer, holding a German passport, was barred from re-entry.
By October 1939, Pommer entered negotiations with RKO Radio Pictures president George J. Schaefer to relocate Mayflower Pictures’ production activities to Hollywood under RKO’s financing and distribution framework. Two projects were proposed, including The Admirable Crichton. Although Jamaica Inn experienced a delayed North American release until October 1939, it achieved immediate success. Both Paramount and RKO vied for Mayflower Pictures’ partnership, attracted by its prestige and O'Hara’s exclusive contract.
By mid-November 1939, Laughton, Pommer, and O'Hara had each signed contracts with RKO Radio Pictures individually, effectively placing Mayflower Pictures on indefinite suspension. Although the trio never collaborated again collectively, their early 1940s work at RKO displayed interconnections: O'Hara starred in A Bill of Divorcement (1940), Pommer produced and contributed story elements to Dance, Girl, Dance (1940), and Laughton appeared in They Knew What They Wanted (1940), which Pommer produced following directorial changes. Additionally, Pommer pursued a biographical film about Dr. Samuel Johnson with Laughton attached; however, Laughton declined the role. A planned RKO project titled Half a Rogue involving both was never realized. Later, Laughton and O'Hara co-starred in This Land Is Mine (1943).
Mayflower Pictures Corporation was officially dissolved in England on 25 January 1940. The North American release of St. Martin's Lane was postponed due to Leigh’s rising prominence from Gone with the Wind. Similarly, Laughton's increased recognition from The Hunchback of Notre Dame influenced its February 1940 release under multiple titles before settling on Sidewalks of London. A Los Angeles special preview utilized a double for Leigh because she was unavailable.
Despite reports into early 1940 suggesting that Mayflower would resume production through RKO with low-budget English films for distribution by RKO, these plans failed to come to fruition. In April 1940, Pommer confirmed that neither he nor Laughton intended to return to England but sought to keep Mayflower operational through these arrangements.
Reissues and revival (1949–1956)
In January 1949, Paramount Pictures transferred the distribution rights for The Beachcomber, Jamaica Inn, and Sidewalks of London to the British firm Verity Films for re-release purposes. These titles were shown in theaters across the United States and Canada from January 1949 until December 1951.
By June 1949, barrister Maxwell Setton, previously associated with Laughton and Mayflower Pictures, teamed up with producer Aubrey Baring to purchase the company’s remaining holdings from Laughton and Pommer. Their debut project under this new arrangement, The Spider and the Fly, was already underway.
Setton and Baring went on to produce a total of seven films before the company was ultimately dissolved. Initially backed by Rank or ABPC, in December 1951 Setton obtained financing from the NFFC and Treasury Capital Issue’s Committee for South of Algiers, which was secured through distributor commitments rather than direct capital injection. Eventually, the partners separated due to conflicting creative directions.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Director | Producers | Starring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | Vessel of Wrath | Erich Pommer | Erich Pommer, Charles Laughton | Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester |
| St. Martin's Lane | Tim Whelan | Charles Laughton, Vivien Leigh | ||
| 1939 | Jamaica Inn | Alfred Hitchcock | Charles Laughton, Maureen O'Hara | |
| 1949 | The Spider and the Fly | Robert Hamer | Maxwell Setton, Aubrey Baring | Eric Portman, Guy Rolfe, Nadia Gray |
| 1950 | Cairo Road | David MacDonald | Eric Portman, Laurence Harvey, Maria Mauban | |
| 1951 | The Adventurers | Dennis Price, Jack Hawkins, Siobhán McKenna | ||
| 1952 | So Little Time | Compton Bennett | Marius Goring, Maria Schell | |
| 1953 | Appointment in London | Philip Leacock | Dirk Bogarde, Ian Hunter, Dinah Sheridan, William Sylvester | |
| South of Algiers | Jack Lee | Van Heflin, Wanda Hendrix, Eric Portman | ||
| 1954 | They Who Dare | Lewis Milestone | Dirk Bogarde, Denholm Elliott, Akim Tamiroff |