Douglas Sirk
- Known For
- Directing
- Born
- April 26, 1897 in Hamburg, Germany
- Died
- January 14, 1987
- Active Years
- 1934–2023 (90 Years)
- Total Credits
- 72 credits in database
Biography
Douglas Sirk, born Hans Detlef Sierck on April 26, 1897, in Hamburg, Germany, was a German-born American film director. He lived until January 14, 1987, passing away at the age of 89. Sirk is best known for his work directing film melodramas in Hollywood during the 1950s, which offered cynical visions of American values and achieved extreme popularity. In addition to melodramas, his directorial repertoire included comedies, westerns, and war films. Some of his best-known films include Magnificent Obsession from 1954, All That Heaven Allows from 1955, as well as Imitation of Life and A Time to Love and a Time to Die. Across his career, he accumulated 63 known credits in directing.
Career overview
Douglas Sirk was a German-born film director who was also known by the birth name Hans Detlef Sierck. Born on April 26, 1897, in Hamburg, Germany, he lived until January 14, 1987. Sirk is best known for the film melodramas he directed in Hollywood during the 1950s. While he achieved his greatest renown for these melodramas, his directing career also encompassed comedies, westerns, and war films. His work included extremely popular melodramas that offered cynical visions of American values.
Among his best-known and celebrated films are Magnificent Obsession from 1954 and All That Heaven Allows from 1955. His recognized filmography further includes titles such as Imitation of Life and Čas žít, čas umírat. Over the course of his career, Douglas Sirk accumulated sixty-three known credits in the field of directing.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
72 titles- Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed (2023) as Self (archive footage)
- Douglas Sirk – Hope as in Despair (2022) as Self (archive footage)
- Daniel Schmid: Le Chat Qui Pense (2010) as Self (archive footage)
- Douglas Sirk erzählt...Zarah Leander und 'Zu neuen Ufern' (2009) as Self (archive footage)
- Acting for Douglas Sirk (2008) as Self (archive footage)
- Days with Sirk (2008) as Self
- Filmlegenden. Deutsch (2006) as Self (archive footage)
- From UFA to Hollywood: Douglas Sirk Remembers (1991) as Self (archive footage)
- Filmarbeit mit Douglas Sirk (1987) as Self
- Imitation of Life (1983) as Self
- Douglas Sirk: Über Stars (1980) as Self
- Bavarian Film Awards (1979) as Self
- Bourbon Street Blues (1979) Director
- Bourbon Street Blues (1979) Writer
- Behind the Mirror: A Profile of Douglas Sirk (1979) as Self - Interviewee
- New Year's Eve (1978) Screenplay
- New Year's Eve (1978) Director
- Talk to Me Like the Rain (1976) Director
- Spécial cinéma (1974) as Self
- Imitation of Life (1959) Director
- A Time to Love and a Time to Die (1958) Director
- The Tarnished Angels (1957) Director
- Battle Hymn (1957) Director
- Interlude (1957) Director
- Written on the Wind (1956) Director
- There's Always Tomorrow (1956) Director
- Never Say Goodbye (1956) Co-Director
- All That Heaven Allows (1955) Director
- Captain Lightfoot (1955) Director
- Sign of the Pagan (1954) Director
- Magnificent Obsession (1954) Director
- Taza, Son of Cochise (1954) Director
- Take Me to Town (1953) Director
- Meet Me at the Fair (1953) Director
- All I Desire (1953) Director
- Has Anybody Seen My Gal? (1952) Director
- No Room for the Groom (1952) Director
- German Film Award (1951) as Self
- Thunder on the Hill (1951) Director
- Week-End with Father (1951) Director
- The Lady Pays Off (1951) Director
- The First Legion (1951) Director
- The First Legion (1951) Producer
- Mystery Submarine (1950) Director
- Shockproof (1949) Director
- Slightly French (1949) Director
- Sleep, My Love (1948) Director
- Lured (1947) Director
- A Scandal in Paris (1946) Director
- Summer Storm (1944) Director
- Summer Storm (1944) Adaptation
- Summer Storm (1944) Writer
- Hitler's Madman (1943) Director
- Boefje (1939) Director
- Final Accord (1938) Director
- Triad (1938) Writer
- La Habanera (1937) Director
- La Chanson du Souvenir (1937) Screenplay
- La Chanson du Souvenir (1937) Director
- To New Shores (1937) Director
- To New Shores (1937) Writer
- The Court Concert (1936) Director
- The Court Concert (1936) Writer
- The Final Chord (1936) Director
- The Final Chord (1936) Writer
- 't Was één april (1936) Director
- The Girl from the Marsh Croft (1935) Director
- April, April! (1935) Director
- The Imaginary Invalid (1935) Director
- Pillars of Society (1935) Director
- Two Greyhounds (1934) Director
- Three Times Before (1934) Director
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Douglas Sirk best known for?
Douglas Sirk is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including You Instead (2011), Bavarian Film Awards (1979), Spécial cinéma (1974), Imitation of Life (1959).
When and where was Douglas Sirk born?
Douglas Sirk was born on April 26, 1897 in Hamburg, Germany. They passed away on January 14, 1987.
How many credits does Douglas Sirk have?
Douglas Sirk has accumulated over 72 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1934 to 2023.
What is Douglas Sirk's background in cinema and television?
Douglas Sirk, born Hans Detlef Sierck on April 26, 1897, in Hamburg, Germany, was a German-born American film director. He lived until January 14, 1987, passing away at the age of 89. Sirk is best known for his work directing film melodramas in Hollywood during the 1950s, which offered cynical visions of American value...
Douglas Sirk by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Spécial cinéma (1974) as Self — aged about 77
- German Film Award (1951) as Self — aged about 54
- Bavarian Film Awards (1979) as Self — aged about 82
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