Harry Kording (real name Hector William Kording) is a British film actor. He is best known for his roles in the films of the 1930s "The Adventures of Robin Hood" and "The Odyssey of Captain Blood."
The performer first appeared on screen in 1921. In the early years of his film career, he played many minor negative characters in popular films about the adventures of Sherlock Holmes, and also often appeared in films of the science fiction and horror genres.
In the creative biography of the actor, there are almost 300 movie roles, but half of them were so insignificant that the surname of the performer was not even indicated in the credits.
Biography facts
Hector was born in England in the spring of 1891. He spent his entire childhood in Wellington, where he received his primary education.
After leaving school, he went to look for work and soon became a steward on the ships of the British Shipping Company, plying between England and America. Ships often stopped in New York, and the young man could spend a lot of time on the shore. He was fascinated by the cinema. Therefore, soon Kording decided that he also wanted to try himself as an actor.
He resigned and moved permanently to the United States. For some time, Kording lived in New York, and then settled in Los Angeles, where he managed to start a career in cinema.
Film career
After moving to America, Kording changed his name and took the pseudonym Harry. He received his first roles in the 1920s. Perhaps because of his external data: high growth, large physique and resemblance to the famous Austrian actor Oskar Holomka, who played mostly "bad guys", he was also offered the role of thugs or villains.
Most of the characters Kording creates on the screen are minor characters in adventure, detective or science fiction films. But even small roles were great for the actor and did not go unnoticed.
During the period of a little cinema, Harry played in many famous and popular films in those years. And with the advent of sound to the cinema, he continued his acting career and gained wide popularity.
In 1928, the drama “Patriot”, directed by Ernst Lubitsch, was released, where the actor played the role of Stefan. The plot of the film is based on the story of the Russian Emperor Paul I. The main roles were starred by E. Jannings, F. Widor and L. Stone.
The film was nominated for an Oscar in five nominations, and in 1930 received an award for Best Screenplay.
Then the actor played in the films: "Sins of the Fathers", "Rescuers", "Flurry", "Christina", "The Last Order", "Four Sons", "Feel My Pulse", "New Moon", "I Love Your Nerves", "Mata Hari", "Forgotten Commandments".
In 1932, Harry starred in Dorothy Asners' comedy melodrama Merry We Roll to Hell.
The film tells the story of the journalist Jerry Corbett, who is trying to end his addiction to alcohol. Joan Prentiss, who is in love with Jerry, tries to help him in this. But getting out of addiction is not so easy, and even the girl's feelings do not always help Corbett, because he is not yet ready to finally part with the past.
In the horror film by Edgar J. Ulmer "Black Cat" Kording played Tamal. Famous actors Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi starred.
The plot of the picture unfolds in Hungary, where a young couple Peter and Joan Ellison goes on vacation. On the train, they meet the psychiatrist Vitus Verdegast, and after that strange things begin to happen in the lives of young people.
In 1935, Harry landed a role in Michael Curtitz's adventure film Captain Blood's Odyssey, which received five Oscar nominations.
The film is set in England at the end of the 17th century. On the territory of the country there are internecine wars. Dr. Peter Blood is mistakenly classified as a rebel and rebel and is sent to Jamaica to work on the plantations as a slave. In Jamaica, Blood makes a mortal enemy in the person of the governor, but the niece of the mayor, Arabella, falls in love with him. Peter manages to devise an escape plan. Capturing the ship, he fled the island. He soon became one of the most famous pirates of the Caribbean. But he cannot forget Arabella in any way and intends to meet her again at all costs.
In 1938, Kording starred in The Adventures of Robin Hood directed by Michael Curtitz and William Keely.
The script for the painting was written by R. Reynon and I. Miller. The film won 3 Oscars for Best Editing, Artist's Work and Original Soundtrack, and was nominated for Best Film.
In the film, Robin Hood was portrayed as a Saxon knight fighting against Prince John and the lords oppressing the common people in the absence of King Richard.
In 1995, the film was recognized as historically and culturally significant and selected by the Library of Congress for preservation by the National Film Registry.
In the further career of the actor, there were roles in well-known projects: "Valley of the Titans", "Devil's Island", "Every Morning I Die", "Tower of Death", "Sea Hawk", "Master of the Kingdom of the Mountains", "Law and Order", " Vigilante Trail, Arabian Nights, Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves, Miss Parkington, Sherlock Holmes: Castle of Horror, Sudan, Sherlock Holmes: Prelude to Murder, Women's Revenge, Lonely Ranger "," Tyrant of the Sea "," Captain Blood "," Mask of the Avenger "," Theater of the Stars of the Slot "," Big Trees "," Against All Enemies "," The Man in the Attic ".
Personal life
The actor has lived all his life with his beloved wife Margaret Fiero. In this union, four children were born.
Kording passed away at the age of 63. He died at his own home in North Hollywood on September 1, 1954. What caused the death is unknown. His wife Margaret survived her husband by 37 years and passed away in 1991.
