Raise a Toast to SABU

[Marc Chevalier]

.

[From Wikipedia]

Sabu Dastagir (January 27, 1924 – December 2, 1963) was an Indian actor known by his first name, Sabu.


Born in Mysore, India, he was the son of an Indian mahout (elephant driver) and was discovered by documentary filmmaker Robert Flaherty who cast him in the role of an elephant driver in the 1937 British film Elephant Boy, based on "Toomai of the Elephants", a story by Kipling.


Sabu is perhaps best known for his role as Abu in the 1940 British-American film, The Thief of Bagdad. In 1942 he once again played a role based on Kipling, namely Mowgli in Jungle Book, directed by Zoltán Korda. After World War II, unable to secure equivalent roles in Hollywood that British films had offered him, his career went into decline with rare gleams of glory, such as his supporting role in the classic British film Black Narcissus (1947).


After becoming an American citizen in 1944, Sabu joined the U.S Army Air Force as a tailgunner. He flew several dozen missions over the Pacific and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his valor and bravery. :eusa_clap :eusa_clap


In December, 1963, Sabu suddenly died in Chatsworth, California of a heart attack at the age of 39.


Some of Sabu's most enjoyable films (even when they're slightly silly):

Elephant Boy (1937)
The Thief of Bagdad (1940)
Jungle Book (1942)
Arabian Nights (1942)
White Savage (1943)
Cobra Woman (1944)
Black Narcissus (1947)

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[BegintheBeguine]

Ooh, Sabu. So handsome, so young. Thank you for the article, Marc Chevalier.

 

[John in Covina]

His charm and likeability on screen is undeniable. He was the one you rooted for in the film.

 

[Sweet Polly Purebred]

He was the first Indian actor to really "make it" in Hollywood, "Black Narcissus" is a great film. Cheers to Sabu!

Lil' more on him ..

"According to his widow, actress Marilyn Cooper, Sabu had a complete physical just a few days before his death, at which time his doctor told him, "if all my patients were as healthy as you, I'd be out of business." Thus, his sudden death of a heart attack at the age of only 39 came as even more of a shock than it would have been otherwise. His last film, Disney's A Tiger Walks (1964), was released posthumously, to good reviews."

 

[Marc Chevalier]

His charm and likeability on screen is undeniable. He was the one you rooted for in the film.

Exactly. In every movie, Sabu just seemed like a good kid whom no one took seriously (at first), but who turned out to be crucial to their ultimate happiness and success. Without Sabu, none of the lead characters would survive the evils that befall them.


I've always thought that Sabu would have been fantastic in the '30s film, Gunga Din.

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[Lincsong]

I thought he was Sanjaya's grandfather.lol

 

[BellyTank]

I thought he was Sanjaya's grandfather.lol

Why..?

B
T

 

[Miss Neecerie]

*raises her glass to Sabu*

Like all pioneers of film, he made the bigger stars shine even more brightly!

:eusa_clap

 

[Lincsong]

Why..?

B
T

They bear a resemblance.

 

[cookie]

Sabu

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[From Wikipedia]

Sabu Dastagir (January 27, 1924 – December 2, 1963) was an Indian actor known by his first name, Sabu.


Born in Mysore, India, he was the son of an Indian mahout (elephant driver) and was discovered by documentary filmmaker Robert Flaherty who cast him in the role of an elephant driver in the 1937 British film Elephant Boy, based on "Toomai of the Elephants", a story by Kipling.


Sabu is perhaps best known for his role as Abu in the 1940 British-American film, The Thief of Bagdad. In 1942 he once again played a role based on Kipling, namely Mowgli in Jungle Book, directed by Zolt?°n Korda. After World War II, unable to secure equivalent roles in Hollywood that British films had offered him, his career went into decline with rare gleams of glory, such as his supporting role in the classic British film Black Narcissus (1947).


After becoming an American citizen in 1944, Sabu joined the U.S Army Air Force as a tailgunner. He flew several dozen missions over the Pacific and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his valor and bravery. :eusa_clap :eusa_clap


In December, 1963, Sabu suddenly died in Chatsworth, California of a heart attack at the age of 39.


Some of Sabu's most enjoyable films (even when they're slightly silly):

Elephant Boy (1937)
The Thief of Bagdad (1940)
Jungle Book (1942)
Arabian Nights (1942)
White Savage (1943)
Cobra Woman (1944)
Black Narcissus (1947)

.

A tailgunner was the most dangerous job in the airforce. My neighbour's dad was one and also got a DFC.

 

[Tommy Fedora]

As a boy growing up in the 50's it seemed like there was a Sabu movie on TV every Saturday. At that time the jungle was such an exotic and mystifying place, it made Sabu seem that much more exotic too. At least to me.
Sorry to see an old friend go.