Now here is a name to remember from the great days of film making in fantasy style – Sabu.

I have a Book at home on ‘Elephant Boy’ signed by Sabu – which is shown later in the article here

SABU (1924 – 1963) was born on January 27. He is perhaps best known for his role as Abu in the 1940 British film The Thief of Bagdad.

Director Michael Powell has stated that he had a “wonderful grace” about him.

In 1942 he once again played a role based on a Kipling story, namely Mowgli in Jungle Book directed by Zoltán Korda. This was made in Hollywood.

He also starred alongside Jon Hall and Maria Montez in three films for Universal Pictures: Arabian Nights (1942), White Savage (1943) and Cobra Woman (1944).

He was back in England for the classic ‘Black Narcissus’ in 1946

In the earliest years of his career he made his classics and many of those have more than stood the test of time.

During World War II, he served in the United States Army Air Corps and did so with distinction having won several awards for service above and beyond the call of normal duty. Being of a diminutive size he easily could fit in bomber aircraft tail and belly gun positions. When the war was over and he was discharged from the service, he wanted to return to the film industry. Unfortunately, except for one superb film, Michael Powell’s “Black Narcissus”, most of the offerings were nor brilliant. Almost all of his best films were made in England.

After the War- and after ‘Black Narcissus’ Sabu pushed on with his film career but those great parts did not come again.

Sabu was transported back to Denham in England in the summer of 1936 where he met Alexander Korda who had put him under contract after ‘Elephant Boy’

The two of them got on very well – Sabu respected Korda who advised him to always go to be early to prepare for an early start in the Studios. Sabu followed this advice to such an extent that when he attended a social gathering of some kind and left early, he was asked why. He replied that he had promised Mr Korda that he would go to bed early and he couldn’t let him down.

ABOVE – Sabu having fun in the Studios at Denham. He looks to be having a skirmish with David Farrar – but I don’t think it is Mr Farrar – after all the man is smiling !!

This BELOW appeared at the time of his death in the Los Angeles Times:-

From the Archives: Sabu Dies of Heart Attack

DEC. 3, 1963 

Sabu Dastagir, 39, the former “elephant boy” of films, died of a heart attack Monday at his Chatsworth home, 10901 Winnetka Ave.

The Indian-born actor, whose career started when he was spotted by the late producer Sir Alexander Korda, recently completed a part in Warner Bros.’ “Rampage” and had worked in films for Walt Disney.

Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Chapel of the Hills, Forest Lawn Memorial-Park Hollywood Hills.

He leaves his wife, former actress Marilyn Cooper, a son, Paul, and a daughter, Jasmine.

Sabu’s discovery as a juvenile performer came when he appeared with the mahouts handling elephants for one of Korda’s pictures, “Elephant Boy.” Sabu, the son of the veterinary for the maharajah-owner of the elephants, became Korda’s protege and later was induced to come to the United States.

His pictures included “Drums,” “The Thief of Bagdad,” “Jungle Book,” “The End of the River,” “White Savage,” “Cobra Woman,” “Black Narcissus,” “Song of India” and others.

In World War II, he won the Distinguished Flying Cross while serving with a B-25 bombing group in the Pacific.

He was a member of the Hollywood Masonic Lodge.

ABOVE – From my Film Book Collection – ‘Sabu of the Elephants- signed by the author Jack Whittingham

Then another one BELOW – Sabu The Elephant Boy – From the Film

This one Signed by Sabu