The esteemed "granny of Mexican cinema" embarked on her cinematic journey at the tender age of 22, while serving as a teacher at a nun's school for girls. One fateful day, young Sara's curiosity was piqued by a small yet intriguing building in downtown Mexico City - Azteca Films, one of the first Mexican film production companies, on the cusp of producing its inaugural feature, Alma de sacrificio (1917). The leading lady of this inaugural production was none other than the multifaceted Mimí Derba, a stage actress turned film producer, writer, actress, editor, and possibly even director.
Following a series of screening tests, young Sara was extended a contract offer, which she graciously accepted, albeit with a remarkable caveat - she remained silent in her college for many months after. Her early experiences in the film industry ultimately led her to transition to a career in stage acting. During this period, she only made a solitary film between 1918 and 1933. Sara García made a triumphant return to the screen in Death Flight (1934) and went on to carve out an illustrious career spanning an astonishing 148 films.
From the very beginning, Sara García demonstrated a remarkable aptitude for portraying mothers and grandmothers, earning her the esteemed nickname. This specialization was catalyzed by her bold decision to remove her entire set of teeth in order to secure the role of a granny in Allá en el Trópico (1940). Following this tour-de-force performance, her entire career, with only a few exceptions, was dedicated to this specific type of role. Throughout her illustrious career, Sara García shared the screen with an impressive array of Mexican movie stars from the 1930s to the 1970s. Her films continue to remain popular to this day, frequently airing on television.
