George Nader (1921-2002)

biography

Born in Pasadena, California, on October 9, 1921, George Nader began his film career in 1950, after earning his B.A. in theater arts. Nader's handsome visage was his ticket to a Universal Studios contract by the mid 1950s, where he made a number of films. However, his first starring role came in the form of the independent 1953 flick Robot Monster, a 3-D feature directed by Phil Tucker. Robot Monster features George Barrows as the monster, wearing a monkey suit with a diving bell. Tucker's opus was produced for $16,000 (fantastically cheap even in 1953) and was shot entirely outdoors in four days in Bronson Canyon, east of Los Angeles. Although heralded as one of the worst films of all time, it was the first science fiction film released with stereophonic sound. During its initial run, Robot Monster made more than $1 million, mostly due to the novelty of the 3-D process.
From the 1950s through the mid 1960s, Nader made numerous films and television appearances in America. After securing a contract with Universal, he won a 1955 Golden Globe award for "Most Promising Newcomer." However, with the death of the studio system in the late 1950s, Nader's contract with Universal-International lapsed. Afterward, he began doing quite a bit of work in television. In the mid 1960s, with Nader's career ebbing, he went to Germany to star as FBI agent Jerry Cotton in a string on James Bond-themed films. These movies proved highly popular in Europe and revived Nader's acting career.

the films of george nader

Robot Monster (1953)

Four Guns to the Border (1954)

Lady Godiva (1955)

Four Girls in Town (1956)

The Second Greatest Sex (1956)

Congo Crossing (1956)

The Female Animal (1957)

Flood Tide (1958)

Nowhere to Go (1958)

House of a Thousand Dolls (1967)

The Million Eyes of Su-Muru (1967)

Beyond Atlantis (1973)

later years

By the late 1950s, with the end of his Universal contract Nader began making a foray into starring roles in television series. During the 1958-1959 season, he starred in ABC's Ellery Queen but left the show when production shifted to New York from Los Angeles (he was replaced but the show quickly left the air). He was also in the short-lived syndicated series Shannon in 1961-62. With his career in decline, Nader went to Europe in the mid 1960s and made a string of popular films. Mystery Science Theater 3000 fans will no doubt remember The Human Duplicators with Hugh Beaumont, Barbara Nichols, and Richard Kiel.


In the mid 1970s, a serious automobile accident left George Nader with an eye injury that permanently sidelined his acting career; he could no longer tolerate the bright lights required in film production. Nader then focused his efforts on writing science fiction, at which he was successful. His best-known work is the gay-themed groundbreaking science fiction novel Chrome (1978). After Nader's retirement, he divided his time between Palm Springs and Hawaii, spending time with his longtime partner, Mark Miller. Miller had been Rock Hudson's personal secretary for decades, and following Hudson's death and the protracted probate of his will, Nader and Miller inherited Hudson's remaining estate in the early 1990s. Sadly, George Nader passed away on February 4, 2002, at the age of 80 and was survived by Mark Miller.

george nader films available from movies unlimited

The Loretta Young Show: Season 1 [DVD](1953) DVD
Thirty episodes from the series's debut season--including "Trial Run," "The Bronte Story," "Thanksgiving at Beaver Run," "The Clara Schumann Story," and "Forest Ranger"--are featured in a three-disc set. 13 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; featurettes; biography; bonus footage; trailers. **30 episodes on 3 discs. 13 hrs.**
Robot Monster (Monster From Mars) [DVD](1953) DVD
Ro-Man, the title character, is the most ludicrous monster in cinema history: a gorilla wearing a space helmet! His invasion fleet has conquered Earth, but one feisty family holds out for survival. You won't want to miss the alien equipment that blows bubbles and the score by future Oscar-winner Elmer Bernstein. With George Nader, Claudia Barrett and George Barrows as Ro-Man. Not in 3-D. 62 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; theatrical trailer.
Carnival Story [DVD](1954) DVD
An American carnival on tour in Europe is the setting for this high-flying drama starring Anne Baxter as a German pickpocket who joins the show and is soon fought over by two workers. With Steve Cochran, Lyle Bettger. 95 min.
Movie Bad Girls, Vol. 1 [DVD] DVD
Paulette Goddard stars as the Old Testament's most infamous woman in "Sins of Jezebel" (1953). Lusting for power, Phoenician princess Jezebel seduces and weds Ahab, the king of Israel, but her idolatry and sexual dalliances lead to her downfall. With Eduard Franz, George Nader, and Joe Besser as Yonkel the chariot man. Next, a courageous woman organizes a jungle expedition to rescue her fiance from the clutches of a savage female-ruled tribe, in the campy, role-reversing adventure "Queen of the Amazons" 1947). Patricia Morison, Robert Lowery and Amira Moustafa star. 128 min. total. Widescreen/Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; biographies; trivia; theatrical trailers; more.
Manhattan Night Of Murder [DVD](1961) DVD
The heat is on the "100 Dollar Boys" when they are accused of killing an Italian restaurant owner they've tried to get protection money from. An FBI agent discovers a young boy who witnessed the murder and tries to get to the true killer. George Nader, Monika Grimm star. Soundtrack: English (dubbed).
The Trap Shuts At Midnight (Um Null Uhr Schnappt Die Falle Zu) [DVD](1966) DVD
Third entry in Germany's Jerry Cotton film series has the fearless agent investigating the disappearance of a shipment of nitroglycerine. Using all of the FBI's resources, he attempts to track down the explosive material before a cabal of underworld agents can get their hands on it and make New York City go boom. George Nader, Heinz Weiss, Horst Frank star. Soundtrack: English (dubbed). Dubbed in English.
The Violin Case Murders [DVD](1965) DVD
In the wake of the James Bond films' popularity came this German secret agent adventure featuring George Nader as Jerry Cotton, an investigator attempting to stop a ruthless gang responsible for murders and armed robberies across the country. Neine Weiss and Richard Munch also star. AKA: "Operation Hurricane: Friday Noon." Soundtrack: English (dubbed). Dubbed in English.
Death And Diamonds [DVD](1968) DVD
George Nader is FBI agent Jerry Cotton, assigned to smash Operation Glitter, a criminal mastermind's scheme that targets a huge diamond collection. Although Cotton doesn't cotton to the idea, he has to face a deadly gas attack before he can square off against the crooks. Shot-in-Los Angeles Euro-thriller also stars Carl Mohner and Heinz Weiss. AKA: "Dynamite in Green Silk." Soundtrack: English (dubbed). Dubbed in English.

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filmography

FILM
Nakia (1974) with Robert Forster, Linda Evans, and Stephen McNally
Beyond Atlantis (1973) with John Ashley, Patrick Wayne, Sid Haig, and Vic Diaz
Deadly Shots on Broadway (1969)
Der Tod im roten Jaguar (1968)
Death and Diamonds (1968)
Radhapura - Endstation der Verdammten (1968) with Gordon Mitchell
Deadly Shots on Broadway (1968)
The Million Eyes of Su-Muru (1967) with Frankie Avalon and Shirley Eaton
House of 1,000 Dolls (1967) with Vincent Price and Martha Hyer
Murderers Club of Brooklyn (1967)
Die Rechnung - eiskalt serviert (1966)
The Trap Shuts at Midnight (1966) with Horst Frank
Manhattan Night of Murder (1965)
Operation Hurricane: Friday Noon (1965)
Countdown Manhattan (1965)
The Human Duplicators (1964) with Hugh Beaumont, Barbara Nichols, Richard Kiel, Dolores Faith, and Richard Arlen
The Secret Mark of D'Artagnan (1962) with Georges Marchal and Raf Baldassarre
Flood Tide (1958) with Joanna Moore
Nowhere to Go (1958) with Bernard Lee and Maggie Smith
Appointment With a Shadow (1958) with Brian Keith and Joanna Moore
The Female Animal (1957) with Jane Powell, Jan Sterling, and Hedy Lamarr
Joe Butterfly (1957) with Audie Murphy and John Agar
Man Afraid (1957) with Phyllis Thaxter and Martin Milner
Away All Boats (1956) with Lex Barker, Julie Adams, Jock Mahoney, Jeff Chandler, and Keith Andes
The Unguarded Moment (1956) with Esther Williams, John Saxon, and Les Tremayne
Four Girls in Town (1956) with Julie Adams, Grant Williams, and John Gavin
Congo Crossing (1956) with Virginia Mayo and Peter Lorre
Lady Godiva (1956) with Maureen O'Hara and Rhodes Reason
The Second Greatest Sex (1956) with Mamie Van Doren, Jeanne Crain, Keith Andes, Kitty Kallen, and Bert Lahr
Six Bridges to Cross (1955) with Julie Adams and Tony Curtis
Carnival Story (1954) with Steve Cochran and Tor Johnson
Four Guns to the Border (1954) with Rory Calhoun and Colleen Miller
Miss Robin Crusoe (1954) with Amanda Blake
Sins of Jezebel (1954) with Paulette Goddard and Joe Besser
Robot Monster (1953) with George Barrows, Claudia Barrett, and Selena Royle
Monsoon (1953) with Ellen Corby and Myron Healey
Phone Call from a Stranger (1952) with Bette Davis, Gary Merrill, Shelley Winters, Michael Rennie, Craig Stevens, and Hugh Beaumont
Overland Telegraph (1951) with , and Tim Holt, Gail Davis, Mari Blanchard, and Hugh Beaumont
Take Care of My Little Girl (1951) with Jeffrey Hunter
Two Tickets to Broadway (1951)
Rustlers on Horseback (1950) with Allan 'Rocky' Lane

TELEVISION SERIES
Shannon (1961-1962) This was a syndicated TV show produced by Screen Gems which also starred Regis Toomey. Nader was an insurance investigator, and the series revolved around his cases and the number of gadgets connected to his 1961 Buick Special. A total of 36 episodes were produced in the show's year-long run.
Man and the Challenge (1959-1960) This half-hour NBC series aired from September 1959 through September 1960. Nader portrayed Dr. Glenn Barton, a scientist exploring the mysteries of the unknown. A total of 36 episodes were produced.
The Further Adventures of Ellery Queen (1958-59) This show might have been successful if the production company hadn't moved the show from L.A. to New York. Nader left the show when it went to New York, and his replacement couldn't carry the show.

TELEVISION GUEST APPEARANCES
The F.B.I., episode A Game of Chess, originally aired November 1972
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, episode Where Beauty Lies, originally aired June 1962
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, episode Self Defense, originally aired May 23, 1961
The Andy Griffith Show, episode The New Doctor, originally aired March 1961

Additionally, George Nader made many appearances on TV during the 1950s; for example, he was on The Loretta Young Show (1953-61), a dramatic anthology hosted by and occasionally starring Young, in which Nader was featured numerous times.