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John Sturges Biography

Birth Name:John Elliott Sturges

Birth Place:Oak Park, Illinois, United States

Profession Director, Producer, Editor, Assistant director

Fast Facts

  • Honored with the Golden Boot Award in 1992 for his contribution to the Western film genre
  • Directed documentaries and training films for the United Stets Army Air Corps during World War II
  • Between 1946 and 1949, Sturges directed low budget films for Columbia Pictures, often referred to as "12-day wonders" for their short filming schedules
  • Known for directing Western films about tough characters facing adversity
  • Was the subject of the biography "Escape Artist: The Life and Films of John Sturges․"
  • Author Stephen King cites the Sturges film "The Magnificent Seven" as a major inspiration for the fifth novel in his "Dark Tower" series
  • Was presented with a samurai sword by acclaimed director Akira Kurosawa, who enjoyed Sturges film "The Magnificent Seven," a remake of Kurosawa's film "Seven Samurai․"

Awards

  • 1955Palme d'Or-: nominated
  • 1956Oscar-Best Director: nominated
  • 1956DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures: nominated
  • 1957Boxoffice Blue Ribbon Award-Best Picture of the Month for the Whole Family (June): winner
  • 1958DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures: nominated
  • 1959Blue Ribbon Award-Best Foreign Language Film: winner
  • 1963Grand Prix-: nominated
  • 1970Hugo-Best Dramatic Presentation: nominated