Lord Beaverbrook
The Propagandist Press Baron
When William Maxwell Aitken , later Lord Beaverbrook, first came to England from Canada in 1908, he was not yet 30 and already a millionaire. He was to become the only press proprietor in British history successfully to combine the careers of tycoon, newspaperman and politician. Behind the scenes he backed the causes of Bonar Law, Lloyd George and Churchill, earning himself the reward of a place in the cabinets of both world wars. He became the best known newspaper baron of his age, turning the Daily Express, the Sunday Express and the Evening Standard into one mighty propaganda machine devoted to the Empire cause.
At a time when a new breed of millionaire press proprietors is beginning to dominate the British press, Anthony Howard looks back at the career of ' the little Canadian adventurer' and talks to his daughter, The Hon Mrs Janet Kidd. Also taking part are The Rt Hon Michael Foot , mp, historian Lord Blake. The Hon David Astor. Malcolm Muggeridge , Robert Edwards , Charles Wintour and Alan Brien.
Film editor PAM BOSWORTH Assistant producer CHRISTOPHER WARREN
Producer PHILIP SPEIGhT