Charmed Lives: A Family Romance

by Michael Korda

A Rolls Royce Silver Cloud drove him to airports; the British film industry kowtowed to his power; the great Hollywood studios fawned at his feet.Sir Alexander Korda, one of the world's most flamboyant movie tycoons, rose from obscurity in rural Hungary to become a legendary filmmaker. With him were his brothers, Zoltan and Vincent, all living charmed lives in circles that included H. G. Wells, Sir Lawrence Olivier, Marlena Dietrich, Vivien Leigh, and Merle Oberon, who was soon to be Alex's wife. But along with Alex's flair for success was an equally powerful impulse for destruction. Now, Vincent's son, Michael Korda, in the first book of his memoirs, recalls the enchanted figures of his childhood...the glory days of the Korda brothers' great films...and then their heartbreaking, tragic end.

Genres: Biography, Memoir, Nonfiction, British Literature, Biography Memoir

512 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

is an English-born writer and novelist who was editor-in-Chief of Simon & Schuster in New York City.

Reviews

[Dean Moberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Korda comes from a family of Hungarian filmmakers. His uncle, Sir Alexander Korda and his brothers, all of them touched in the head in one way or another, made films... big films... in the first part of the last century. Cinema legends and neurosis come together in a much more charming manner than what can be found in today's digital world of disposable celebrity and wealth. Throw in some tanks and communists for a touch of drama. I have read this book several times over the years. You should, too.

[Poly Styrene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book about Alex Korda and his brothers Vincent and Zoli as told by Vincent's son Michael. Michael really conveys the lavish and romantic life that Alex created for himself and his family in London after escaping impoverished beginings in Hungary. In his 20's alone Alex created two important Hugarian film magazines, built the largest film company in Hungary and just barely escaped the White Terror, fled to Germany and married and divorced a German film star named Maria, lived lavishly in Berlin and Paris before his final move to London (with a few temporary stops in Los Angeles, which he hated). Alex Korda was the financier of London Films (and saviour of the British film industry) and friend and confidante to such luminaries as Winston Churchill (who actually wrote scripts for Korda), Brendan Bracken, Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, Merle Oberon (who he was briefly married to) and Lajos Biro. His brother Vincent was a talented set designer and artistic director and Zoli was a gifted director in his own right, with films like The Jungle Book, Cry, the Beloved Country and Storm Over the Nile to his credit. Alex himself directed or produced some of the most important movies in British film history.

Michael Korda is an excellent observer and the tale is spun so deftly that it is sometimes easy to forget that you are reading a work of non-fiction. This is an excellent read for anyone even remotely interested in the early days of the British film industry and leaves the reader feeling very impressed by the Korda clan.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorite quote:

The Austro-Hungarian government dispatched commissions throughout the Empire to give the Jews names, a task which was done with the maximum of brutality, corruption and inefficiency, in keeping with the tradition of Hapsburg bureaucracy (once accurate described as "despotism humanized by stupidity").

[Nancy Zaroulis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charmed indeed! Michael Korda was blessed with a fascinating family, a fascinating life. He tells the Korda story with love and wry humor.

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating read! The history of the Korda brothers is brilliantly crafted.

[JamesK · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best Hollywood books ever written. It deserves to be better known.

[Christopher Heaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Book has a good reputation & it lived up to its billing. My only quibble is that I wish there was more about the films in the book.

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting and well written book, Michael Korda details the lives of his famous uncles and father, and his interaction with them. Not specific on personal dates, he brings the poverty and luxury of his family history to life.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting biography about a filmmaker and his family. Lot of time covered, without story getting boring or tedious.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haven't tried any fiction, but I am getting to be a Korda fan. Good writing about interesting times and people.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally finished is what I want to say about this book. It is a long read and sometimes I felt he was repeating things. If you like history and old Hollywood its a good book...

[Juliahoney Kamenker · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was very good another example of money doesn't always guarantee happiness i wish pics were included

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great bio on an important movie family