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).
Profession(s):
director, producer, propman, physicist
Sometimes Credited As:
Family
granddaughter:Cathy Sandrich (married personal manager Brad Gelfond on June 11, 2000; gave birth to son Lucas on May 8, 2001)
son:Jay Sandrich (born 1932; primarily a TV comedy director)
son:Mark Sandrich Jr (born c. 1928; died of cancer December 2, 1995; wrote Broadway musical "Ben Franklin in Paris"; formerly married to actress Vanessa Brown)
Oscar Best Short Film (Comedy) "So This Is Harris" 1932 - 1933
1946 Had just begun directing "Blue Skies", starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, but died during production; film was ultimately directed by Stuart Heisler
1944 Last completed films, "I Love a Soldier" and "Here Come the Waves", both of which he produced and directed for Paramount
1940 Began producing as well as directing his films at Paramount with "Buck Benny Rides Again"
1939 Left RKO for Paramount; directed the first of three films starring Jack Benny, "Man About Town"
1938 Last film with Rogers and Astaire, "Carefree"
1934 First film for the team of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, "The Gay Divorcee"
1933 Began directing films at RKO
1928 Directorial debut "Runaway Girls"