He was born to English parents in St. Petersburg, Russia on July 3, 1906. George Sanders and his family returned to England when the Russian Revolution began. He entered the world of acting when a secretary named Greer Garson, who was working in the same advertising firm, suggested the idea to him. Previously, he had worked in the tobacco business, a Birmingham textile mill and as an advertising writer. He started in show business on the bottom rung of the ladder, as a chorus boy. He worked his way up diligently through cabaret, radio and theatrical understudy. His British film debut was in 1936 when he appeared as Curly Randall in “Find The Lady.” He appeared in the United States for the first time the following year in Twentieth Century Fox’s production of “Lloyd’s of London” in which he played Lord Everett Stacy opposite Tyrone Power.
During the late 1930s and early 1940s Sanders branched out in many creative directions, portraying everything from Nazis to undercover agents, royalty and biblical figures. He established a “star” niche for himself as Simon Templar, “The Saint” and as Gay Lawrence, “The Falcon.” He appeared with his brother, Tom Conway, in “The Falcon’s Brother” in 1942. They portrayed, in an odd twist of art imitating life, brothers. But Sanders grew tired of the role, and gave it to his brother who took it up for nine subsequent films through 1946.
He was equally adept in the role of a debonair, leading man and a ruthless cad, but the later won him more acclaim. His most famous role and the one that he was born to play, was as a cynical Broadway critic, Addison De Witt, in “All About Eve” (1950). His performance earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. In 1940, he appeared in two Hitchcock films, “Rebecca” and “Foreign Correspondent.”
George Sanders was a man of many talents. He possessed a fine baritone singing voice and was a gifted writer as well. His autobiography, “Memoirs of a Professional Cad,” reveals his sharp but troubled mind. He was married four times, (once to Zsa Zsa Gabor and once to her sister, Magda) but was happiest with Benita Hume who died 8 years after their union. He committed suicide in Barcelona, Spain, on April 25, 1972. He left a note that read in part, “Dear World, I am leaving because I am bored.”
He left a film legacy of many fine performances in a career that spanned almost four decades.
What are YOUR favorite George Sander films? Please share.