Alexander Korda Biography

Fast Facts

• Made the first British propaganda film, "The Lion has Wings," during World War II, and was knighted for his services to Britain in 1942
• He shot his first film in Budapest almost entirely by himself, doing his own directing, photography, writing, and editing
• Worked as a newspaperman in Budapest before deciding on a career in film
• Became a partner and stockholder of United Artists in 1935, joining the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks
• His films tended to be about history or to feature a historical romance
• Best known for producing and directing over 70 films, including "That Hamilton Woman" and his "Private Life" series
• Founded London Film Productions and Denham Studios in 1932
• Was briefly imprisoned in 1919 for helping give Hungary the first nationalized film industry in the world