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 Conrad Veidt and Valerie Hobson. The film was "The Spy in Black", where Powell first met Emeric Pressburger. Korda also produced the comedy "Over the Moon" (1939) and the drama "21 Days" (1939). Korda, though, soon had financial difficulties and management of the Denham complex was merged with Pinewood in 1939, becoming part of the Rank Organisation. The outbreak of World War II in Europe meant "The Thief of Bagdad" had to be completed in Hollywood, where Korda was based again for a few years. While in the United States, Korda produced and directed "That Hamilton Woman" (1941) with Laurence