Anton Karas asked a stunned Karas if he would compose the music for the film. Karas protested, saying he had never actually written music. As Karas later told the story, the director insisted and invited Karas to England. The Austrian became homesick and asked to be allowed to return. Reed told him he could—as soon as he had written the music. Under this pressure Karas wrote his Harry Lime theme. The film—with the music a contributing factor—was a gigantic success, and Karas' life was changed drastically. As a result, he toured all over the world and performed for many celebrities, among them
Alexander Korda advent of World War Two saw Korda make more propaganda films. They included "Q Planes" (1939) with Olivier and "The Lion Has Wings" (1939). Korda had a massive hit with another Imperial adventure directed by Zoltan, "The Four Feathers" (1939). By 1939, Michael Powell had been hired as a contract director by Korda on the strength of "The Edge of the World". Korda set him to work on some projects such as "Burmese Silver" that were subsequently cancelled. Nonetheless, Powell was brought in to save a film that was being made as a vehicle for two of Korda's star players,