Mark Sandrich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mark Sandrich
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| Born |
Mark Rex Goldstein
October 26, 1900 New York City, U.S.
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| Died | March 4, 1945 (aged 44) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Resting place | Home of Peace Cemetery |
| Occupation | Director, producer, screenwriter |
| Years active | 1927–1945 |
| Spouse(s) | Freda W. |
| Children | 2, including Jay |
| Relatives | Ruth Harriet Louise (sister) Carmel Myers (cousin) |
Mark Sandrich (born Mark Rex Goldstein; October 26, 1900 – March 4, 1945) was a talented American film director, writer, and producer. He became famous for directing many popular movies, especially musicals starring the famous dance duo Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. He also directed the classic film Holiday Inn, which introduced the beloved song "White Christmas."
Contents
Early Life and a Lucky Start
Mark Sandrich grew up in New York City. His sister was Ruth Harriet Louise, who also worked in the film industry.
Mark was studying engineering at Columbia University when he accidentally found his way into the movie business. He was visiting a friend on a film set and noticed the director was having trouble setting up a shot. Mark offered some advice, and it worked! This lucky moment led him to start his career in the movie industry, working first in the prop department.
A Career in Film
Starting with Short Films
Mark Sandrich became a director in 1927, making short comedy films. His first full-length movie was Runaway Girls in 1928. This was an exciting time in movies because sound was just being added to films! Mark briefly went back to directing short films. In 1933, he directed a short film called So This Is Harris!, which even won an Academy Award.
Directing Feature Films
After his success with shorts, Mark Sandrich returned to directing longer movies. He directed Melody Cruise (1933) and Cupid in the Rough (1933). He also directed two films starring the comedy team of Wheeler & Woolsey: Hips, Hips, Hooray! (1933) and Cockeyed Cavaliers (1934).
Working with Famous Stars: Astaire and Rogers
Mark Sandrich helped with some scenes in the musical film Flying Down to Rio (1933). This movie featured the amazing dancers Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. In 1934, Sandrich was chosen to direct their first big musical together, The Gay Divorcee. It was a huge hit!
He continued to work with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers on many more successful musicals:
- Top Hat (1935)
- Follow the Fleet (1936)
- Shall We Dance (1937)
- Carefree (1938)
Between these musicals, he also directed Katharine Hepburn in A Woman Rebels (1936).
Moving to Paramount Pictures
In 1939, Mark Sandrich left RKO and joined Paramount. This new studio offered him a chance to be both a director and a producer.
His first film for Paramount was Man About Town (1939), starring Jack Benny. He then produced and directed two more films with Jack Benny: Buck Benny Rides Again (1940) and Love Thy Neighbor (1940). He also directed the romantic comedy Skylark (1941), starring Claudette Colbert and Ray Milland.
While all these movies made money, the film Holiday Inn (1942) is the most famous today. It starred Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby and featured music by Irving Berlin. Holiday Inn introduced the famous song "White Christmas" sung by Bing Crosby. This song is still the best-selling single of all time!
Mark Sandrich also produced and directed a serious war film called So Proudly We Hail! (1943). It was very popular and starred Claudette Colbert, Paulette Goddard, and Veronica Lake. His last completed films were also about war: I Love a Soldier (1944) and Here Come the Waves (1944), both starring Sonny Tufts.
Personal Life and Legacy
Mark Sandrich's sons, Mark Sandrich Jr. and Jay Sandrich, followed in his footsteps and became directors in film and television.
In 1945, Mark Sandrich was getting ready to make a new movie called Blue Skies, which was a follow-up to Holiday Inn. It was going to star Bing Crosby and feature more music by Irving Berlin. At the same time, Sandrich was also serving as the president of the Directors Guild of America, a very important role for film directors.
Mark Sandrich sadly died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 44. He was trying to balance all his work and family duties. At the time of his death, he was considered one of the most respected and important directors in Hollywood. He was buried at Home of Peace Cemetery.
Select Feature Film Credits
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