Method for stretching polymer film, polarizing film and method for producing the same, polarizer, birefringencial film and liquid crystal display device

1. A polarizer comprising a polarizing film produced by a method comprising stretching a vinyl alcohol-based polymer by a method for stretching an optical polymer film, and allowing a polarizing element to be adsorbed before or after stretching,

wherein the method for stretching an optical polymer film by holding both edges of the continuously supplied polymer film by holding means, and imparting tension thereto while advancing said holding means in a longitudinal direction of the film, comprises allowing a locus L 1 of the holding means from a substantial holding initiation point to a substantial holding release point on one edge of the polymer film, a locus L 2 of the holding means from a substantial holding initiation point to a substantial holding release point on the other edge of the polymer film, and a distance W between the two substantial holding release points to satisfy the following equation (1), maintaining the supporting property of the polymer film, stretching the film in the presence of a state in which the volatile content is 5% or more, and then, decreasing the volatile content while shrinking the film:

|L 2 −L 1|>0.4 W   (1),

wherein the longitudinal direction of the film is inclined at an angle of 20 to 70° to a transmission axis direction,

wherein at least one side of the polarizing film is protected with a transparent film, wherein the retardation of the transparent film on at least one side at 632.8 nm is 10 nm or less.

2. The polarizing film of claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal direction of the film is inclined at an angle of 40 to 50° to the transmission axis direction.

3. A liquid crystal display device in which the polarizer of claim 1 is used as at least one of two polarizers disposed on both sides of a liquid crystal cell.