Spiegel worked briefly in
Hollywood in 1927 following a stint serving with
Hashomer Hatzair in
Mandatory Palestine. He then went to
Berlin to produce
German and
French adaptations of
Universal films. In 1933 he fled
Germany following the election of the
Nazi party and increased
antisemitism. As an independent producer, Spiegel helped produce a number of European films. In 1938, he emigrated to
Mexico and subsequently the United States. Between 1935 and 1954, Spiegel billed himself as S. P. Eagle; after that he used his real name. His nickname was the "velvet octopus" after his propensity to entwine himself with women in the back of taxis and manage Hollywood with a velvet touch according to
Billy Wilder. He loved London and admired the British, as is reflected in his films
The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) and
Lawrence of Arabia (1962), both of which won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture. Starting with the 1951 film
The African Queen, he produced films through his British-based production company
Horizon Pictures. In a review in
Variety of Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni's biography of Spiegel, Wendy Smith notes: "It's all here: the sleazy financial maneuvers and creepy taste for underage girls that make Spiegel a decidedly flawed protagonist, as well as the wit, sophistication, and Old World charm that make him a titanic figure the likes of which the movie industry will not see again." == Awards ==