Mark Sandrich

Director

About

Birth Place

New York City, New York, USA

Born

August 26, 1900

Died

March 04, 1945

Biography

Filmography

The Other (1972)

Assistant Director

I Love a Soldier (1944)

Director

Here Come the Waves (1944)

Director

So Proudly We Hail! (1943)

Photos & Videos

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Hips, Hips, Hooray! (1934) -- (Movie Clip) Keep Romance Alive

Hips, Hips, Hooray! (1934) -- (Movie Clip) You Can Eat The Lipstick

Family & Companions

Freda Sandrich

Wife

Biography

Trained as a physicist, Sandrich began his career as a prop man in 1922 and five years later emerged as a director of comedy shorts, notably Lupino Lane two-reelers. Sandrich directed his first feature in 1928, but lacking enough experience to handle the technical demands accompanying the advent of sound, he was again consigned to shorts; his highly-regarded, Oscar-winning musical short, "So This is Harris" (1932), which was very playful with both its editing and its soundtrack, enabled him to make another go at features, which he continued to turn out until 1944.

Sandrich's best-known films are the five entries in the memorable Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers series of musicals he made at RKO in the 30s, including "The Gay Divorcee" (1934), "Top Hat" (1935)," "Follow the Fleet" (1936), "Shall We Dance" (1937) and "Carefree" (1938). Later Sandrich moved to Paramount, where he helmed several comedy vehicles for Jack Benny but continued to make musicals as well. He also started to produce as well as direct his own films; his best-known work from this period was the Bing Crosby-Fred Astaire music-fest, "Holiday Inn" (1942).

Filmography

Life Events

1928

Directorial debut "Runaway Girls"

1933

Began directing films at RKO

1934

First film for the team of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, "The Gay Divorcee"

1938

Last film with Rogers and Astaire, "Carefree"

1939

Left RKO for Paramount; directed the first of three films starring Jack Benny, "Man About Town"

1940

Began producing as well as directing his films at Paramount with "Buck Benny Rides Again"

1944

Last completed films, "I Love a Soldier" and "Here Come the Waves", both of which he produced and directed for Paramount

1946

Had just begun directing "Blue Skies", starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, but died during production; film was ultimately directed by Stuart Heisler

Photo Collections

Top Hat - Behind-the-Scenes Photos

Here are several photos taken behind-the-scenes during production of RKO's Top Hat (1935), starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and directed by Mark Sandrich.

Follow the Fleet - Behind-the-Scenes Photos

Here are a few photos taken behind-the-scenes during production of Follow the Fleet (1936), starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

Shall We Dance - Behind-the-Scenes Pan Photo

Here is a photo taken behind-the-scenes during production of RKO's Shall We Dance (1937). The photo is a unique panoramic shot of the soundstage with cast and crew (so use the ZOOM function for a closer look).

Shall We Dance - Behind-the-Scenes Stills

Here are a few photos taken behind-the-scenes during production of RKO's Shall We Dance (1937), starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and directed by Mark Sandrich.