What's After the Movie
Michael Curtiz
Michael Curtiz (born Manó Kaminer, later known as Mihály Kertész) was a Hungarian-American film director known for his work during Hollywood's Golden Age. He is recognized as one of the most prolific directors in history, having directed classic films from the silent era and numerous others throughout Hollywood's prime. Born in Budapest on December 24, 1886, and having directed 64 films in Europe, he was invited to Hollywood by Warner Bros. in 1926. He helped Warner Bros. grow into the fastest-growing movie studio and ended up directing 102 films during his Hollywood career. Popular actors like James Cagney and Joan Crawford won their only Oscars under Curtiz's direction. He also introduced Doris Day and John Garfield to the silver screen, and turned actors like Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, and Bette Davis into stars. He was nominated for the Best Director Oscar five times, winning once for Casablanca.
Curtiz was a versatile director, proficient in a variety of genres, from melodrama to comedy, to love story, film noir, musical, war story, Western, horror, or historical epic. He always emphasized the human-interest aspect of stories, maintaining that the "human and fundamental problems of real people" comprised the essence of good drama. However, he did court controversy after 25 horses met tragic deaths in The Charge of the Light Brigade, leading to the enactment of policy by the U.S. Congress and the ASPCA to prevent animal cruelty on film sets. Curtiz helped popularize adventures with films like The Adventures of Robin Hood and created other classic dramas such as Casablanca and Mildred Pierce. He directed leading musicals, including Yankee Doodle Dandy, This Is the Army, and White Christmas, and successfully ventured into comedy with films like Life with Father and We're No Angels.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Michael Curtiz, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Michael Curtiz rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Manó Kaminer (later known as Mihály Kertész)
Born: Budapest, Austria-Hungary
Citizenship: Hungary (1886–1933), United States (after 1933)
Birthday: December 24, 1886
Occupations: Film director
Years Active: 1912-1961
Children: 2
Spouses: Lucy Doraine (m. 1918; div. 1923), Bess Meredyth (m. 1929)
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Awards and Nominations Received by Michael Curtiz
Explore the awards, honors, and nominations Michael Curtiz has earned across their acting career. From prestigious wins to critical acclaim, see how their talent has been recognized by the film industry and major award bodies.
Captain Blood
Mildred Pierce
Casablanca
Yankee Doodle Dandy
White Christmas
Romance on the High Seas
Life with Father
The Sea Wolf
Young Man with a Horn
We're No Angels
The Comancheros
The Adventures of Robin Hood (re-release)
Michael Curtiz: The Greatest Director You Never Heard Of
The Adventures of Errol Flynn
The Last Dawn
Alraune
Atlantis
My Brother Is Coming
Labyrinth of Horror
The Screen Director
The Unsuspected
Janie
Dive Bomber
Noah’s Ark
Jimmy the Gent
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Doctor X
A Soldier’s Plaything
Young Medardus
Goodbye Again
The Cabin in the Cotton
The Scarlet Hour
Captains of the Clouds
My Dream Is Yours
The Egyptian
Flamingo Road
The Strange Love of Molly Louvain
The Vagabond King
Moon of Israel
The Lady Takes a Sailor
The Best Things in Life Are Free
The Proud Rebel
Roughly Speaking
Gold Is Where You Find It
Show-Business at War
Mrs. Dane’s Confession
The Walking Dead
Front Page Woman
The Key
Red Heels
King Creole
The Adventures of Robin Hood
Alias the Doctor
Mystery of the Wax Museum
Four Wives
A Breath of Scandal
The Case of the Curious Bride
Four’s a Crowd
Virginia City
The Jazz Singer
Avalanche
Dodge City
The Story of Will Rogers
The Sea Hawk
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex
The Undesirable
The Helen Morgan Story
Trouble Along the Way
The Matrimonial Bed
Private Detective 62
Mandalay
20,000 Years in Sing Sing
River’s End
The Breaking Point
Mammy
The Boy from Oklahoma
Stolen Holiday
Santa Fe Trail
The Perfect Specimen
The Kennel Murder Case
The Charge of the Light Brigade
Mission to Moscow
Jim Thorpe – All-American
Kid Galahad
Francis of Assisi
God’s Gift to Women
Force of Arms
Sodom and Gomorrah
It’s a Great Feeling
Night and Day
The Man in the Net
Bright Leaf
Sons of Liberty
Cab No. 13
British Agent
Angels with Dirty Faces
Passage to Marseille
The Mad Genius
The Keyhole
Four Daughters
Black Fury
Female
Bright Lights
This Is the Army
I’ll See You in My Dreams
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Michael Curtiz, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
1951
The Screen Director
Self (staged 'archive' footage) (uncredited)
Jim Thorpe – All-American
Force of Arms
I’ll See You in My Dreams
1949
My Dream Is Yours
Flamingo Road
The Lady Takes a Sailor
It’s a Great Feeling
Michael Curtiz (uncredited)
1938
Gold Is Where You Find It
The Adventures of Robin Hood
Four’s a Crowd
Angels with Dirty Faces
Four Daughters
1933
Goodbye Again
Mystery of the Wax Museum
Private Detective 62
The Kennel Murder Case
The Keyhole
Female
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