Here is the biography of Carol Reed:
Carol Reed was born to Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, a stage actor and impresario, and Beatrice Mae Pinney, who was one of Tree's six illegitimate children. Reed grew up in a well-mannered, middle-class atmosphere and was educated at King's School, Canterbury. He initially followed in his father's footsteps, becoming an actor, but his mother wanted him to pursue a different career. She sent him to Massachusetts, where his older brother resided on a chicken ranch.
Reed eventually returned to England and joined a stage company, making his debut in 1924. He worked as an assistant stage manager and actor, and in 1927, he joined British Lion Film Corp. as the personal assistant to Edgar Wallace, a British writer. Reed began learning the film trade by assisting in the supervision of filmed adaptations of Wallace's works.
Reed rose through the ranks, becoming a dialog director, second-unit director, and assistant director. He made his solo directorial debut with "Midshipman Easy" in 1935 and went on to direct over 40 films, including "The Stars Look Down" (1940),"Night Train to Munich" (1940),"The Fallen Idol" (1948),and "The Third Man" (1949).
Reed's attention to detail and ability to work with actors earned him critical acclaim and numerous awards. He won the Cannes Film Grand Prix for "The Third Man" and was nominated for several Academy Awards. He also directed the musical "Oliver!" (1968),which won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.
Throughout his career, Reed worked with many notable actors, including James Mason, Rex Harrison, and Burt Lancaster. He was known for his ability to bring out the best in his actors and his attention to historical detail in his films. Despite his success, Reed's career was not without its challenges, and he faced criticism and disappointment in his later years. However, he remains one of the most respected and celebrated directors in the history of British cinema.
