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 may make British pictures here but the pictures made would be just as American as those made in Hollywood. We are now on the verge of forming a British school of film making in this country." Korda produced "Fire Over England" (1937) with Olivier and Vivien Leigh. He also attempted a version of "I, Claudius" with Laughton and Merle Oberon which was abandoned. Korda made "Dark Journey" (1937) with Conrad Veidt and Leigh, and had a big hit with "Elephant Boy" (1937) directed by his brother from a Rudyard Kipling story; it made a star of Sabu. Korda also made