The company founder J. Arthur Rank, born in Kingston upon Hull, UK, was already a wealthy industrialist through his father's flour 展开

A loose collective of filmmakers was established by Rank under the banner of Independent Producers Ltd. including The Archers, … 展开

Despite funding films which were both popular and critically acclaimed, Rank was in crisis by 1949, having built up a debt of £16 million, and reported an annual loss of £3.5 million. Managing Director John Davis cut staff, reduced budgets and concentrated film … 展开

During this period, Rank started focussing on primarily solidly commercial ventures, largely aimed at the family market. These include the popular 展开

The company grew quickly, largely through acquisition. Significant developments included:
• 1938 – 展开

In 1945, the company bought the Bush Radio manufacturing facility and began to diversify its interests. In the early 1960s Rank took over 展开

In 1977, Rank appointed Tony Williams head of production and over two years Rank made eight films worth £10 million, including Eagle's Wing, The Shout, The Thirty Nine Steps, Riddle of the Sands and Silver Dream Racer. Many of these stories were set in the … 展开