Classic Egyptian Cinema has a special place in our hearts. There's just something about watching a black and white movie that makes us all nostalgic. After all, we grew up sitting next to our elders laughing and quoting many timeless lines that we can never forget

The film industry in Egypt flourished during the mid-20th century -also known as the golden age - after the establishment of Studio Misr in 1935. It went on to become Arab world's very own Hollywood. 

Studio Misr made way for many releases: an average of 20 films per year during the early 40s. By 1948, more national studios were built, increasing the annual production to an average of 50 films per year.

Here are 14 revered actresses and icons from that era we'll never forget. 

1. Mary Mouneib (1905 - 1969)

Mary Mouneib was a renowned Egyptian actress of Syrian descent. Born Mary Salim Habib Nasrallah to a Catholic Syrian family in Damascus, she moved to Egypt with her family during her childhood. Years later, she would be given her stage name by her first husband Fawzi Mouneib. 

Mouneib - who converted to Islam - continued to work under said same stage name long after her divorce and second marriage. She starred in approximately 200 films and 13 stage plays. 

She usually played the role of the menacing mother-in-law that never failed to make us laugh. 

2. Zeinat Sedki (1913-1978)

Source: Rotana

Zeinab Mohamed Mosaad, also known by her stage name Zeinat Sedky, hailed from Alexandria, Egypt. She started her career as a wedding bellydancer and monologue artist. Her career turning point came when she joined the theater troupe of Naguib el Rihani where she got her stage name. 

Zeinat Sedki was known for her funny and spontaneous performances. Although she appeared in more than 140 films, she never played the leading role in any of them.  

3. Layla Murad (1918 – 1995)

Source: Youtube

Layla Murad was a renowned Egyptian singer and actress, and one of the most prominent superstars in the Arab world during her time. 

She was born "Lillian Zaki Murad Mordechai" to a Jewish family in Cairo before converting to Islam and changing her name to Layla Murad. 

She released more than 1000 songs and starred in 27 films before retiring at 37 years of age. 

4. Madiha Yousry (1921)

Source: Hia magazine

Born Ghanima Habib Khalil in Cairo to a Turkish father and a Sudanese mother, Mdiha Yousry is a retired Egyptian film and television actress. Madiha Yousry starred in over 90 films. 

5. Hind Rostom (1926 –2011)

Source: alchetron

Nariman Hussein Murad, better known by her stage name Hind Rostom or "Marilyn Monroe of Arabia," was born in Alexandria to a Turkish father and an Egyptian mother. 

The famous Egyptian actress was an icon during the golden era of Egyptian cinema. She starred in more than 80 films throughout her career. 

6. Sabah (1927 – 2014)

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Jeanette Georges Feghali, better known by her stage name Sabah, was a widely famous Lebanese singer and actress. 

The icon, nicknamed "The Diva of Arabic Music," released over 50 albums and acted in 98 movies, as well as over 20 Lebanese stage plays. 

She was widely loved in Egypt and starred in several Egyptian movies. 

7. Faten Hamama (1931–2015)

Faten Hamama was a widely renowned Egyptian film and television actress and producer. She was rightfully hailed as "Lady of The Arab Screen."

Hamama helped improve the cinema industry in Egypt and played roles that emphasized the importance of women in cinema and Egyptian society. 

After a rich cinematic career that spanned nearly 100 films, 8 of her works were included in The most important 100 films in the history of Egyptian cinema by the cinema committee of the Supreme Council of Culture in Cairo.

8. Magda al-Sabahi (1931)

The notable Egyptian actress and producer Magda was born Afaf Ali Kamel al-Sabahi in Tanta, Gharbia Governorate in Egypt. She was one of the greatest stars of Egyptian cinema, taking the lead role in 60 films under the stage name Magda. 

One of her most notable roles include Jamila al Jaza'iriya (The Algerian Jamila) by Youssef Chahine, based on the life story of Djamila Bouhired.

9. Shadia (1931)

Source: elcinema

Fatima Ahmad Kamal, better known by her stage name Shadia, is a famous retired Egyptian actress and singer. 

Shadia is famous for her light comedic and drama works during the 1950s and 1960s. She starred in over 100 films.

10. Mariam Fakhr Al-Din (1933–2014)

The renowned Egyptian actress nicknamed "Beauty of the Screen" was born in the city of Faiyum, to an Egyptian father and a Hungarian mother. She appeared in about 200 films throughout her career. 

11. Zahrat El-Ola (1934-2013)

The renowned Egyptian actress Zahrat El-Ola starred in tens of popular films in the 1950s and 1960s. Some of her most memorable works on the golden screen include her supporting role with Omar Sharif in "A Man in our House" and along Faten Hamama in "The Curlew's Prayer". 

12. Nadia Lutfi (1938)

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Born Paula Mohamed Mostafa Shafiq to an Egyptian father and a Turkish mother, the retired Egyptian actress was one of the most popular during the golden age of Egyptian cinema. She appeared in close to 50 films throughout her career. 

13. Zubaida Tharwat (1940 – 2016)

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Zubaida Tharwat was known for "The most beautiful eyes in Egyptian cinema". The renowned film, stage and television actress was born in Alexandria to a family of Turkish and Circassian descent.

She starred in about 30 films with other famous actors such as Rushdy Abaza, Youssef Wahbi, Kamal el-Shennawi, Soad Hosny and Omar Sharif. She also starred in around 6 stage plays. 

14. Soad Hosny (1943 –2001)

Source: Hia mag

Soad Hosny was a famous Egyptian actress.She was born in Cairo to a father of Syrian descent and an Egyptian mother. She was one of the most influential actresses in the Middle East and the Arab world, nicknamed the "Cinderella of Egyptian Cinema".  Soad Hosny performed in about 90 films throughout her career between 1959 and 1991.