A dichroic guest-host polarizer comprises an oriented polymerized liquid crystal host and aligned therewith a dichroic guest. The dichroic ratio of the polarizer is about 15 or more. The polarizer may have a small thickness, be manufactured using a wet deposition method, optionally in accordance with a desired pattern, and be provided on the inside of a liquid crystal cell. Polymerizable liquid crystals having a highly ordered mesophase which may be suitable used to obtain highly oriented polymer films such as polarizer films are disclosed.