Nathalie Bucknall facts for kids

Nathalie Maria Bucknall (1895 – 1959) was an amazing woman born in Russia. She became a famous screenwriter and a special researcher for MGM, a big Hollywood movie studio. People even called her "The Woman Who Knew It All" because she was so smart and knowledgeable! She also received a special honor called the OBE from Britain.

Nathalie's Early Life

Born in Russia

Nathalie was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in 1895. Her parents were important and wealthy. Her father, Ivan de Fedenko, held a high position in the government. Nathalie went to college, studying engineering and other subjects.

Helping in World War I

When World War I started, Nathalie became a nurse. She helped many people and was honored by the Russian ruler, the czar, for her brave work. In 1917, she joined a very special group called the Battalion of Death. This was one of the few groups where women fought on the front lines of the war.

During the war, Nathalie also worked as a secret agent. She was trying to learn about the plans of a group called the Bolsheviks. This is when she met George Bucknall, a British navy officer. They fell in love and got married. Nathalie then became a British citizen. Together, they continued to work as intelligence agents, gathering secret information. Once, in Moscow, they were in great danger but managed to escape.

Moving to America

In 1918, Nathalie and George left Russia. Nathalie was given the Order of the British Empire for her important work. She had always dreamed of living in America. In 1922, she and her husband finally arrived in the United States. After exploring the country, they settled in Los Angeles, California.

Hollywood Career

Working at MGM Studios

In 1927, Nathalie started working at MGM, one of the biggest movie studios in Hollywood. She first joined the script department, which helps write movie stories.

Soon, Nathalie created something new at MGM: a special research department! She became the head of this department and led it for many years. Her job was to make sure everything in the movies was correct and accurate. She traveled a lot and took many photos. She also collected all sorts of documents and interesting items. Because of her vast knowledge, the press called her "The Woman Who Knew It All." Her work also helped the studio avoid legal problems by making sure their movies were truthful.

Her Amazing Skills

Nathalie's knowledge of Russia was very helpful for movies like Rasputin and Anna Karenina, which were filmed in the 1930s. She was also incredibly good with languages. She spoke Russian, German, French, and English perfectly. She could also understand Swedish, Italian, Spanish, and Norwegian! This was a huge advantage in her job at the studio.

It's also said that Nathalie was the first woman to get a special certificate as a sound engineer. This means she knew a lot about how sound works in movies. In 1939, she even wrote two screenplays herself: Four Girls in White and Five Little Peppers and How They Grow.

Later Life

Nathalie retired from MGM in the 1940s. After that, she worked for Los Angeles County for most of the 1950s, helping with health programs. She passed away in Los Angeles in 1959, at 63 years old.

Movies She Wrote

• Five Little Peppers and How They Grow (1939)
• Four Girls in White (1939)