Alexander Korda
A Hungarian immigrant who built a British film empire, elevating cinema into a sophisticated art form with grand historical epics.
1893–1956 (age 63)·British film director·Birthday: September 16·The Lost Generation
Biography
Born Sándor László Kellner in rural Hungary, Alexander Korda’s life was a relentless pursuit of cinematic grandeur. He cut his teeth in the silent film industries of Budapest, Vienna, and Berlin before a stint in Hollywood taught him the mechanics of studio glamour. His true legacy, however, was forged in London. With the founding of London Films in 1932, Korda didn't just make movies; he crafted a vision of British prestige. His 1933 hit, 'The Private Life of Henry VIII,' was a revelation—a witty, lavish production that proved British films could conquer international box offices. Korda became a magnet for European talent, creating a powerhouse that blended continental artistry with English subject matter. Though his later ventures were financially tumultuous, his insistence on directorial authorship and high production values permanently raised the ambitions of the British film industry.
The Lost Generation
1883–1900
Came of age during World War I. Disillusioned by the carnage, they rejected the certainties of the Victorian era and built modernism from the wreckage — in art, literature, and politics.
Alexander was born in 1893, placing them squarely in The Lost Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Alexander Was Born
The biggest hits of 1893
Alexander's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1893Born
World's Columbian Exposition dazzles Chicago
President: Grover Cleveland
1898Started school
Spanish-American War; US emerges as a world power
President: William McKinley
1906Became a teenager
San Francisco earthquake devastates the city
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1909Could drive
Robert Peary claims to reach the North Pole
President: William Howard Taft
1911Could vote
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire kills 146 in New York
President: William Howard Taft
1914Turned 21
World War I begins
President: Woodrow Wilson
1923Turned 30
The Great Kanto earthquake devastates Tokyo
President: Calvin Coolidge"Yes! We Have No Bananas" — Billy Jones
1933Turned 40
FDR's New Deal launches; Prohibition ends
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stormy Weather" — Ethel WatersBest Picture: Cavalcade
1943Turned 50
Allies invade Sicily; Battle of Stalingrad ends
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $3,290Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I've Heard That Song Before" — Harry JamesBest Picture: Casablanca
1953Turned 60
DNA structure discovered by Watson and Crick
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,750Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Song from Moulin Rouge" — Percy FaithBest Picture: From Here to Eternity
1956Died at 63
Elvis Presley appears on The Ed Sullivan Show
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $10,050Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Heartbreak Hotel" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: Around the World in 80 Days
Key Achievements
- Produced and directed 'The Private Life of Henry VIII' (1933), the first British film to achieve major international commercial success.
- Founded London Films, a production company that became a central force in 1930s British cinema.
- Was the first film director to be knighted for his services to the industry.
- Built Denham Film Studios, one of Europe's largest and most advanced film production facilities at the time.
Did You Know?
He was the elder brother of filmmakers Zoltán Korda and Vincent Korda, the latter an Oscar-winning art director.
He was married to actress Merle Oberon and famously helped orchestrate her career.
During World War II, he worked for British intelligence, using his film company as cover for propaganda and information gathering.
““It is not enough to be Hungarian, you must have talent too.””
