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Biography

Juan de Orduña y Fernández-Shaw (Madrid, December 27, 1900-id., February 3, 1974) was a Spanish film director and actor. Born into a family of aristocrats, he studied law. His artistic career as an actor began in the twenties, joining Emilio Thuiller's theater company. In the following years he took part in numerous silent plays. He participated as a leading actor in the first sound film of Spanish cinema, El misterio de la Puerta del Sol (1929). After the arrival of sound films, his presence in front of the camera became less frequent, although he would still participate in films of certain renown such as Nobleza baturra (1935), by Florián Rey. His career as a director stood out especially in the decade following the end of the Spanish Civil War, when he became one of the most prolific filmmakers of the time and also one of the public's favorites.