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Born: 7 July 1899 New York
Died: 24 January 1983 Los Angeles
Born in America of Hungarian parents, George strove to assimilate himself into the American culture. At young age he developed a passion for the theatre. By the time he was a teenager he and several buddies would cut school and walk to Broadway to see a show. "Always balcony right, recalled Cukor, "as if I already knew where the camera should be." George Cukor major claim to fame was that he was fired by his friend David O Selznick as director of "Gone With The Wind." Yet, many scenes that Cukor shot in the month at the helm remain in the final cut. Known for his reputation as a woman director, Vivien Leigh threatened to walk out, but common sense prevailed. None for the worst, Cukor did not suffer the stigma for very long. He when on to become the only director to survive the studio system to the ripe old age of 82. Finally after he got the crown for "My Fair Lady" in 1964 after sitting on the throne for 34 years. His body of work includes: "Little Women" (1933) "David Copperfield" (1934) for which he convinced WC Fields that he could portray a serious character on film. "The Philadelphia Story" (1940) His third film with Kathryn Hepburn, with whom he developed a life long friendship. Some say a great friendship with Hepburn's butch attitude and Cukor being gay it made for the perfect match. Gaslight (1944) for which he hailed Ingrid Bergman’s performance of her career. But it was Born Yesterday (1950) when Cukor made unknown Judy Holliday into a Best Actress Award winning star. The Holliday character was beloved by audiences and Cukor goddaughter Mia Farrow did her rendition of the role in Woody Allen's movie, "Purple Rose." "Pat and Mike" (1952) with Hepburn and Spencer Tracy saw Cukor raise to the rank of best screwball comedy director. Yet the director takes his time with long continuous scenes in a bid to develop the true characteristics of a normal marriage. Some say the Cukor handed the film to Hepburn, but Tracy performance was shy in coming forward. In 1954 with "A Star Is Born" Cukor took a gamble with Judy Garland, whose reputation for being difficult and a musical star preceded her. Despite the rumors, in Cukor hands Garland gave a tour-de-force performance, as did James Mason. Go To Page: 1 2 |
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