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Sir Alexander Korda
Born in the Great Plains of Hungary in 1893 as the first of three sons in a poor farm house, Alexander Korda went on to become one of the most prolific film directors, producers, and studio chiefs in the history of filmmaking.
His career began writing film reviews and went on to directing Hungarian films during the First World War. By the age of 23 Korda built his own film studio in Budapest (Corvin Film Studios).
Due to political turmoil Korda was forced to escape Hungary in 1919 and fled to Vienna and later Berlin, where he directed his first wife Maria Corda in a series of successful movies. In 1926 the pair was hired by MGM and moved to Hollywood, but by 1930 Alexander Korda was in Paris running Paramount's French division.
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His success at Paramount took him to England to run the company's British division. Just two years later he founded London Films, the company that was to revitalize and change forever the British film industry. The international success of The Private Life of Henry VIII made Alexander Korda an international star. In the 30's he built the Denham Studios, and after its demise he later bought and built-up Shepperton Studios. Korda's dream was to create a film studio in Europe similar in scope and size to Hollywood's greats.
Meanwhile his brother Zoltán Korda became a famous director, best known for his many films shot in India and Afrca, and Vincent Korda's productive career as a masterful set designer would eventually win him an Oscar.
After the Second World War Winston Churchill nominated Alexander Korda for knighthood, making him the first film director or producer to be knighted. Alexander Korda produced more than 100 films, including That Hamilton Woman, The Jungle Book, The Third Man, Richard III, The Thief of Baghdad, and Things to Come. He is today credited as almost single-handedly building up the British film industry.
Sir Alexander Korda died in 1956.
His career began writing film reviews and went on to directing Hungarian films during the First World War. By the age of 23 Korda built his own film studio in Budapest (Corvin Film Studios).
Due to political turmoil Korda was forced to escape Hungary in 1919 and fled to Vienna and later Berlin, where he directed his first wife Maria Corda in a series of successful movies. In 1926 the pair was hired by MGM and moved to Hollywood, but by 1930 Alexander Korda was in Paris running Paramount's French division.
His success at Paramount took him to England to run the company's British division. Just two years later he founded London Films, the company that was to revitalize and change forever the British film industry. The international success of The Private Life of Henry VIII made Alexander Korda an international star. In the 30's he built the Denham Studios, and after its demise he later bought and built-up Shepperton Studios. Korda's dream was to create a film studio in Europe similar in scope and size to Hollywood's greats.
Meanwhile his brother Zoltán Korda became a famous director, best known for his many films shot in India and Afrca, and Vincent Korda's productive career as a masterful set designer would eventually win him an Oscar.
After the Second World War Winston Churchill nominated Alexander Korda for knighthood, making him the first film director or producer to be knighted. Alexander Korda produced more than 100 films, including That Hamilton Woman, The Jungle Book, The Third Man, Richard III, The Thief of Baghdad, and Things to Come. He is today credited as almost single-handedly building up the British film industry.
Sir Alexander Korda died in 1956.