The Resume

(December 22, 1888-March 29, 1972)
Born in Kingston-upon-Hull, England, United Kingdom
Birth name was Joseph Arthur Rank
Founder and chairman of the Rank Organization
At his peak, controlled 2/3 of the British movie business
Owned Pinewood and Denham film studios, General Cinema Finance Corporation and over 600 movie theaters
Named 1st Baron Rank (1957)
Rank films included 'Hamlet,' 'Henry V,' 'The Red Shoes,' 'Black Narcissus,' 'The Rake's Progress' and 'Victim'
Films started with a man in a toga striking a gong

Why he might be annoying:

He originally wanted the company symbol to be a wolf to rival the MGM lion, but the only wolf available was too mangy-looking.
An attempt to expand the business into America in the 40s left the company near bankruptcy, forcing the sale of the Pinewood and Denham studios.
Although he formed the company to make religious and family films, its biggest success in the 60s was the double entendre laden 'Carry On' film series.
His name became Cockney rhyming slang for having a wank (masturbating).

Why he might not be annoying:

He gave his directors -- including David Lean, Carol Reed and Michael Powell -- creative freedom.
Even after becoming a millionaire, he taught weekly Sunday school classes in his hometown.
He gave $100 million to charities through the Rank Foundation.
The gongman opening for his films was parodied by The Muppet Show, Gilligan's Island and Get Smart.

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 22]
• I am Known by My Initials
• I Did Not Graduate High School [N-S]
• I Died in 1972 (Ranked: 83)
• Look at Me, I'm on the Cover of Time
• Look at My Magazine Cover
• Mustaches
• Profiles 26251-26500 (Ranked: 26363)

Year In Review:

For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 6 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 7 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 7 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 8 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 5 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 18 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 12 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 23 Votes: 60.87% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 24 Votes: 45.83% Annoying