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George Nader
1921-2002
Updated 1/27/2008. Don't miss the George Nader Gallery page.
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. 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."
beefcake photos
George Nader was a frequent subject of beefcake photographers in the 1950s. At 6'1" and 180 lbs., Nader stayed in shape by lifting weights and swimming. You'll find more photos like these in the George Nader Gallery
the films of george nader
Robot Monster (1953)
LEFT: With Claudia Barret and John Mylong. CENTER: Nader is comforted by Claudia Barrett. RIGHT: A bare-chested Nader tries to free Claudia Barrett from the clutches of Ro-man
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 (The Fifty Worst Films of All Time, by Harry Medved and Randy Dreyfuss, 1978), 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.
Four Guns to the Border (1954)
From the western Four Guns to the Border with Colleen Miller
Lady Godiva (1955)
LEFT: Studio still. CENTER: With Maureen O'Hara. RIGHT: With Rhodes Reason and Maureen O'Hara
Four Girls in Town (1956)
With Julie Adams in Four Girls in Town
The Second Greatest Sex (1956)
Universal still from the musical The Second Greatest Sex
Congo Crossing (1956)
With Virginia Mayo in the Universal-International adventure Congo Crossing
The Female Animal (1957)
Jane Powell puts the moves on George Nader in The Female Animal
This 1957 feature pits an aging star (Hedy Lamarr in her last film role) against her alcoholic daughter (Jane Powell) for the affections of a movie bit player (Nader). Pretty heavy stuff for a late 1950s film, Nader has affairs with both the mother and daughter, nearly destroying everyone in the process. In the end, Nader flees to Mexico to make a bad horror film, just so he can escape the mess. This film features one of George Nader's strongest performances.
Flood Tide (1958)
With Cornell Borchers in the Universal-International drama Flood Tide
Nowhere to Go (1958)
With Maggie Smith in the British-made thriller Nowhere to Go, released by MGM
House of a Thousand Dolls (1967)
Nader tries to unravel the mystery of Vincent Price's House of a Thousand Dolls
The Million Eyes of Su-Muru (1967)
With Shirley Eaton in The Million Eyes of Su-Muru
Beyond Atlantis (1973)
As Nereus in the low-budget fantasy Beyond Atlantis
later years
Nader and Rock Hudson have fun on the water in the late 1950s
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; reprinted in 1995).
George Nader in 1978, upon the publication of Chrome
After Nader's retirement, he divided his time between Palm Springs and Hawaii. Sadly, he passed away on February 4, 2002. Read the press release for more information.
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.
Away All Boats [DVD](1956) DVD
A no-nonsense Navy officer whips untested recruits into a fighting machine against the Japanese Kamikaze force in this explosive saga, shot during an actual Naval operation. Jeff Chandler, Julie Adams, Lex Barker star. 114 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: French, Spanish.
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 Secret Mark Of D'Artagnan(1962) VHS
Dashing Musketeer D'Artagnan attempts to stop an assassination attempt on Louis XIII with help from partner Porthos. When they are injured by anarchists, a young noblewoman, whose uncle is behind the plot, and her maid attempt to help them. George Nader, Magali Noel star in this European spectacle.
The Human Duplicators [DVD](1965) DVD
When alien giant Richard Kiel is sent to Earth to build android doubles of world leaders in an effort to conquer the planet, who can save humanity? Will it be government agent George Nader or will Kiel's affection for a beautiful blind woman make him rethink his evil ways? Dolores Faith, Barbara Nichols and "Leave It to Beaver's" Hugh Beaumont also star in this classic "drive-in" sci-fi shocker.
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.
Operation Hurricane: Friday Noon(1966) VHS
In the wake of the James Bond films' popularity came this secret agent adventure featuring George Nader as an investigator attempting to stop a ruthless gang responsible for murders and armed robberies across the country. Neine Weiss and Richard Munch also star.
Beyond Atlantis(1973) VHS
Explorers Patrick Wayne and John Ashley discover a fortune in pearls and jewels on a remote island, only to later find the lost land of Atlantis, a beautiful princess and bizarre merman monsters. 90 min.
George Nader original movie posters and photos available from Movie Goods
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
Todesschüsse am 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
Der Mörderclub von 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 SHOTS
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.
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