Film Review (magazine)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Film Review is Britain's longest-running film magazine. The current publishers Visimag also claim that it was Britain's first ever film magazine. It was founded in yearbook form in 1944 by F. Maurice Speed (Frederick Maurice Speed, 18 October 1911 London, England- 29 August 1998), and he continued to be its editor for an amazing 54 years. His co-editor of his last 7 years, James Cameron Wilson took over as editor on his death.
The first magazine version appeared in 1950, initially for a 3-issue trial run. At the time it was titled "ABC Film Review" due to being tied in with ABC cinemas. At the time it was just 20 pages and cost 3 Old Pence. It was published by Associated British in association with Pathé and produced by Axtell Publications Ltd. of London, and the only credited contributor was James McCrossan. After the trial's success it became a full monthly magazine from January 1951 costing 6 Old Pence.
At some point during its history the rival magazine Films and Filming was incorporated, and it gradually grew larger and larger, becoming the thick glossy later associated with the name.
To this day the magazine still appears monthly alongside the annual yearbook. Contributors have included Anwar Brett. During the 1990s there was a readers' Q&A page with questions answered by David McGillivray. Cameron Wilson later took over this section.
