Anwar Wagdy Egyptian producer, director and actor

When Anwar Wagdy joined "Ramsis" Theatrical Troupe in 1927, his work was not more than a simple accessories worker. All his task was to make sure that the accessories of the play are in their place on the stage. When the great artist "Youssef Wahbi" gave him the chance to ascend the stage during a tour of the troupe in Latin America, Anwar Wagdy never descended to his previous job. On the contrary he continued ascending and elevating until he became one of the bright stars of cinema: actor, director and producer.

The Egyptian cinema was in its early beginning. "Anwar Wagdy" joined the list of actors who presented first Egyptian Feature Film with voice (40% with voice) in 1932, namely "Aristocrat children" that was starring "Youssef Wahbi" and Amina Rizk and was directed by the bright young man at the time "Mohamed Kareem".

This simple fact reflects the close connection of Egyptian cinema with this ambitious youngman, who was not possessing of life what feeds him or of power what can be his back up. His exceptional talent and sharp social intelligence were his assets, upon them he ascended to fame, wide and effective artistic influence.

When Youssef Wahbi directed his debut: "Defence" in 1934 he called "Anwar Wagdy" to take part in starring this film with him. Yet the failure of the film caused some financial problems for Youssef Wahbi as a producer, which led Anwar Wagdy to join the National Theatre Troupe that was established in 1935.Through this troupe he presented some plays that were not receiving great popular success, as most of the works were translated from Classics of the Western Theatre in Classical Arabic.

Anwar Wagdy found that the cinema was more appropriate for his talent and in more harmony with his ambition because of its popularity and capability of reaching to broad sectors of people.

During that period, he presented "Desert Wings" film produced and directed by Ahmed Salem in 1938. He participated in "The Will" film by director Kamel Selim, which is regarded as one of the landmarks of the international cinema life story without competition.

Anwar Wagdy became a film type at this period, as directors exploited his handsome appearance and soft features in presenting the roles of indifferent wealthy son of pashas i.e. a symbol for evil. Films in most cases were around struggle between heart and class belonging. Anwar Wagdy was more than convincing, so he took part during the two years 1944 and 1945 in starring 18 films including: Love Martyrs (Kamal Selim) - Between two Fires (Amal Madkour) - Love and Revenge - Youssef Wahbi) - Too Much Lie (Togo Mezrahi) - Heart Has Only One (Barkat)- Night of Luck (Abdul Fattah Hassan)- I like Al-Baladi (Hussein Fawzy) - Hope "Ragaa" (Omar Gemei) - City of Gypsy (Mohamed Abdul Gawad) - etc. Yet, his artistic connection with director Kamal Selim had the greatest effect in his artistic march as a director and producer. Anwar Wagdy starred 4 films out of the 8 films directed by Kamal Selim in his short and rich artistic career.

Anwar Wagdy established his production company "United Films" and began presentation of his artistic view independently through authoring, directing, producing and acting with his wife Laila Murad, whom he married during shooting their first film: "Laila Daughter of the Poor".

After their marriage, Anwar Wagdy and Laila Murad presented several films, all were directed by Anwar Wagdy, except for "Affection and Youth " film that was directed by Niazy Mostafa. These films were: Laila the Daughter of the Poor (1945) - Laila Daughter of the Rich (1946) - My Heart is my Guide (1947) - Affection and Youth (1947) - Anbar (1948)- Daughter of Aristocrat (1952).