Alexander Korda Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Sir Alexander Korda (1893-1956) was a renowned Hungarian-born British film producer and director who played a pivotal role in the British film industry during the 1930s and 1940s. Born Sándor László Kellner in Pusztatúrpásztó, Hungary, Korda moved to London in 1932 and established London Films, one of the most influential British film production companies of the era.

From 1932 to 1936, Korda worked at 21/22 Grosvenor Street in Westminster, London, where this blue plaque now commemorates his contributions. During his time here, Korda produced and directed several groundbreaking films that helped elevate the status of British cinema on the international stage. Some of his most notable works include “The Private Life of Henry VIII” (1933), which was the first British film to win an Academy Award, and “Things to Come” (1936), an ambitious science fiction epic based on the work of H.G. Wells.

Korda’s films were known for their lavish production values, innovative techniques, and ability to attract top talent from both sides of the Atlantic. He collaborated with many of the era’s most prominent actors, including Charles Laughton, Vivien Leigh, and Laurence Olivier. In recognition of his contributions to British cinema, Korda was knighted in 1942, becoming the first film producer to receive this honor. He continued to produce films until his death in 1956, leaving behind a legacy that helped shape the course of British filmmaking for generations to come.

The Borough of Westminster, where this plaque is located, has long been a hub for the British film industry. Many prominent production companies, including Korda’s London Films, have called this area home over the years. Today, Westminster remains a vital center for British media and entertainment, with numerous film and television studios, as well as the headquarters of the British Film Institute, located within its boundaries.