"I want to make beautiful films about beautiful people!"
Louis B. Mayer
Louis B. Mayer
Metro Goldwyn Mayer. A brand name, a power-house studio, and a lion named Leo, that roared before each film! 'Nuff said! The head of the studio was Louis B. Mayer. Catch him out of the studio lots...and he was the nicest person on earth. Catch him on studio grounds, he was ruthless & all business. He was blunt, to the point, and didn't like bullshit...you either liked it, or you could go screw yourself...just the way it, & he, was. Three principles that came standard with any film by MGM...quality, moral standards, and reputation. LB was on top in Hollywood, and he was ruthless to stay on top. Get in his way, and you would be plowed over. A theater entepenuer named Marcus Leow was the financial power, and LB was the creative and management power...together they created among the most beautiful pictures, and among the most powerful studio in Hollywood. Light's, camera, and action .. the story begins ..
Louis Mayer was born, Lazar Meir, in the Russian section of Minsk, Belarus (Belarus borders Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Russia.) Admittedly, Louis did not have a birth certificate, although as a child, celebrated his birthday on July 12th every year. (Who would know better than his parents right??) Louis changed his birthday later on to the American patriotic date of July, 4th. The year of his birth was 1884. Young Louis was a curious, quiet, and quote, "centered" kid, as he would later recall. He quickly developed a tough skin as a kid, that came from the poverty and surroundings he was born into. Young Louie was a Jew and in that time period, the Jews weren't bolding well in Russia. He would later-in-life credit his father, Jacob Meir, for his brash toughness. It was, afterall, his his near-illiterate father, who instilled in him morals, and responsibility. The Meir family immigrated to Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada when Louis was very young and he attended school there. After school, Louis would join his father in the scrap metal trade. Young Louis quickly learned the value of a dollar.
In 1904, at the age of 19, the scrap metal business in Canada was dying out due to industry. It was at that time, Louis went south to Boston, Mass to try and find work in America. He desperatly wanted to explore the aspirations of the American dream he'd heard of as a child. While in Boston, he met and courted a young woman named married Margaret Shenberg. They would be total opposites..he loved the spotlight, she hated it...PERFECT!...of course they married the same year, (1904) and would go on have two daughters. Louis, for the next three years, had a series of odd jobs around Boston, and Haverhill, Mass. A very hard worker, working sometimes 17 and 18 hour days.
In 1907, Louis purchased a small, dilapidated, 600-seat theater called the Gem, (now demolished but here is where it once was, on the corner) in the Boston suburb of Haverhill. He saw dollar signs all over the building. Upon the opening of his new theater, he promoted it with fliers all over town. The small theater was a fresh breeze of air for Haverhill and with Louis business ethics and the promise of nothing but quality...Louis started thriving. He quickly grew to love the the film business. Within a few years he had the largest theater chain in New England. (Many years later, after MGM retirement, he would return to his first theater.) He wanted to be involved in making films. In 1916, Mayer consulted with an established film entrepreneur, Richard A. Rowland, who he'd met through his theater business. Together, they created Metro Pictures Corporation, based in New York City. Their first film together, The Birth of A Nation, debuted in 1915 to huge success. The money Mayer earned with the money from the film, he invested in distribution...The American Feature Film Company. Richard A. Rowland, wanted to persue other venues, and Mayer bought his stakes in Metro.
In 1918, Mayer secured a 40-acre facility in California, and formed Louis B. Mayer Pictures. His first film under his new company, "Virtuous Wives" (1918), was done under minimal budget due to all his investment, and he took out a loan to cover the rest. The result was another success for Mayer. After the success of the film, Mayer met and formed a friendship with Irving Thalberg. A young production standout that had worked for the thriving Universal Pictures under Carl Laemmle. Mayer hired Thalberg to work directly under him and they would make three more films before catching the eye of big time film powerhouse entrepreneur Marcus Loew. Loew was looking for another company to purchase and merge with his other newly purchased company. He had just sealed a deal from film pioneer Samuel Goldwyn, who had recently sold his studios to Loew and joined with newly formed Paramount Pictures.
In 1924 Marcus Loew, with his newly purchased Samuel Goldwyn Pictures, offered to buy Metro Pictures Corp., & Louis B. Mayer Pictures and as part of the deal made Mayer head of the new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was a deal Mayer couldn't refuse.
While MGM was immediately successful, Marcus Loew never got to see the powerhouse that MGM was to become. He died three years later of a heart attack. 60% of is business investments went to friend and business partner, Nick Schenck. Under Mayer's management, MGM flurished! His formula never faultered, films which stuck to the themes of honor, fidelity, decency and virtue. A staunch conservative, Mayer also became active in politics, at one point serving as state chairman of the California Republican Party.
He lived here, in this nice beach house.
Mayer's career was now linked with Thalberg's. But their relationship was strained as MGM continued to grow by disagreements and the perception in Hollywood that Thalberg, not Mayer, was the boss at MGM. In 1927, Warner Brothers released The Jazz Singer. The film was the first talking picture, and garnered ALOT of buzz. Thalberg and Mayer, dismissed 'talkies' (as they were called), as a passing fad. Mayer, however, was quick to change his mind as talking pictures took new heights with Warner Brothers...and insisted to Marcus Loew, that MGM invest in such. It was a major success for Warner, and the Warner Brothers were basking in the glow of the newfound success of talking pictures...Mayer's moment, however, was yet to shine.
For a time, the MGM film factory released an average of one feature film per week. In 1936, Mayer was the first business executive in the country to make $1 million per year, and he remained the highest-paid executive through 1944. Thalberg felt entitled to an equal share, but Mayer had begun to resent the prevailing opinion that Thalberg was the real genius behind MGM's success. Mayer & Thalberg had been together throughout the catapoult of MGM...Camille, Ben-Hur, The Good Earth, and A Night at the Opera, were all under the duo's hands. After Thalberg's untimely death in 1936, Mayer maintained this tradition.
At the end of 1937, a fresh script called, The Wizard of Oz, came across Mayer's desk. It was to be a fresh new picture for MGM and Mayer saw that. He oversaw every aspect of the film. It was also at the same time Mayer was eyeing a new technology called "Technicolor." (wanna see Louie in 'Technicolor?? C'maan clickytt!) It was a new mixture of solution that would change black and white into color as filmed. Mayer was on board and decided to experiment with it in, The Wizard of Oz. A master of surprise, Mayer did NOT include the fact that mid-way through Oz, the film would turn color, in the marketing of the film. The films release in 1939, indeed caught moviegoers by a beautiful surprise that revolutionized the industry. Patrons LOVED the new color films.
World War II and its aftermath rendered the studio system and Mayer's cherished ideas of entertainment obsolete and prohibitively expensive. The war brought about a darkening view of the human condition, which he steadfastly ignored in approving projects for MGM, preferring to continue with the escapist tone of what he had grown accustomed to. Dore Schary, head of production at RKO Studios was hired. Schary and Mayer battled from the very start. So much so that in in 1951, Mayer told MGM president Nick Schenck...it was either Schary or Mayer. While Schenck liked Mayer, he was no fan of ulimatums, and did not choose, but rather let Mayer know Schary was staying put. Out of protest, Mayer offered his resignation in 1951, to the company he had built, then walked out to his car...and left. In 1950, Mayer was given a special Academy Award, "for distinguished service to the motion picture industry." Fitting considering Mayer, along with other film pioneers, started the Acadamy. By 1952, Mayer had ontracted luekimia and retired to his hime.
Mayer stayed home much of his retirement enjoying the beach by day. He made frequent trips to New York, Boston, and Haverhill in the brief years before he died. On the morning of October 29, 1957, Mayer died in his sleep of the leukemia...wife Lorena Layson, was by his side. RIP Mr. Mayer..your legacy will always live on!! Virtually visit his grave, leave virtual flowers, and comments by clicking here.
Louis Mayer was born, Lazar Meir, in the Russian section of Minsk, Belarus (Belarus borders Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Russia.) Admittedly, Louis did not have a birth certificate, although as a child, celebrated his birthday on July 12th every year. (Who would know better than his parents right??) Louis changed his birthday later on to the American patriotic date of July, 4th. The year of his birth was 1884. Young Louis was a curious, quiet, and quote, "centered" kid, as he would later recall. He quickly developed a tough skin as a kid, that came from the poverty and surroundings he was born into. Young Louie was a Jew and in that time period, the Jews weren't bolding well in Russia. He would later-in-life credit his father, Jacob Meir, for his brash toughness. It was, afterall, his his near-illiterate father, who instilled in him morals, and responsibility. The Meir family immigrated to Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada when Louis was very young and he attended school there. After school, Louis would join his father in the scrap metal trade. Young Louis quickly learned the value of a dollar.
In 1904, at the age of 19, the scrap metal business in Canada was dying out due to industry. It was at that time, Louis went south to Boston, Mass to try and find work in America. He desperatly wanted to explore the aspirations of the American dream he'd heard of as a child. While in Boston, he met and courted a young woman named married Margaret Shenberg. They would be total opposites..he loved the spotlight, she hated it...PERFECT!...of course they married the same year, (1904) and would go on have two daughters. Louis, for the next three years, had a series of odd jobs around Boston, and Haverhill, Mass. A very hard worker, working sometimes 17 and 18 hour days.
In 1907, Louis purchased a small, dilapidated, 600-seat theater called the Gem, (now demolished but here is where it once was, on the corner) in the Boston suburb of Haverhill. He saw dollar signs all over the building. Upon the opening of his new theater, he promoted it with fliers all over town. The small theater was a fresh breeze of air for Haverhill and with Louis business ethics and the promise of nothing but quality...Louis started thriving. He quickly grew to love the the film business. Within a few years he had the largest theater chain in New England. (Many years later, after MGM retirement, he would return to his first theater.) He wanted to be involved in making films. In 1916, Mayer consulted with an established film entrepreneur, Richard A. Rowland, who he'd met through his theater business. Together, they created Metro Pictures Corporation, based in New York City. Their first film together, The Birth of A Nation, debuted in 1915 to huge success. The money Mayer earned with the money from the film, he invested in distribution...The American Feature Film Company. Richard A. Rowland, wanted to persue other venues, and Mayer bought his stakes in Metro.
In 1918, Mayer secured a 40-acre facility in California, and formed Louis B. Mayer Pictures. His first film under his new company, "Virtuous Wives" (1918), was done under minimal budget due to all his investment, and he took out a loan to cover the rest. The result was another success for Mayer. After the success of the film, Mayer met and formed a friendship with Irving Thalberg. A young production standout that had worked for the thriving Universal Pictures under Carl Laemmle. Mayer hired Thalberg to work directly under him and they would make three more films before catching the eye of big time film powerhouse entrepreneur Marcus Loew. Loew was looking for another company to purchase and merge with his other newly purchased company. He had just sealed a deal from film pioneer Samuel Goldwyn, who had recently sold his studios to Loew and joined with newly formed Paramount Pictures.
In 1924 Marcus Loew, with his newly purchased Samuel Goldwyn Pictures, offered to buy Metro Pictures Corp., & Louis B. Mayer Pictures and as part of the deal made Mayer head of the new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was a deal Mayer couldn't refuse.
While MGM was immediately successful, Marcus Loew never got to see the powerhouse that MGM was to become. He died three years later of a heart attack. 60% of is business investments went to friend and business partner, Nick Schenck. Under Mayer's management, MGM flurished! His formula never faultered, films which stuck to the themes of honor, fidelity, decency and virtue. A staunch conservative, Mayer also became active in politics, at one point serving as state chairman of the California Republican Party.
He lived here, in this nice beach house.
Mayer's career was now linked with Thalberg's. But their relationship was strained as MGM continued to grow by disagreements and the perception in Hollywood that Thalberg, not Mayer, was the boss at MGM. In 1927, Warner Brothers released The Jazz Singer. The film was the first talking picture, and garnered ALOT of buzz. Thalberg and Mayer, dismissed 'talkies' (as they were called), as a passing fad. Mayer, however, was quick to change his mind as talking pictures took new heights with Warner Brothers...and insisted to Marcus Loew, that MGM invest in such. It was a major success for Warner, and the Warner Brothers were basking in the glow of the newfound success of talking pictures...Mayer's moment, however, was yet to shine.
For a time, the MGM film factory released an average of one feature film per week. In 1936, Mayer was the first business executive in the country to make $1 million per year, and he remained the highest-paid executive through 1944. Thalberg felt entitled to an equal share, but Mayer had begun to resent the prevailing opinion that Thalberg was the real genius behind MGM's success. Mayer & Thalberg had been together throughout the catapoult of MGM...Camille, Ben-Hur, The Good Earth, and A Night at the Opera, were all under the duo's hands. After Thalberg's untimely death in 1936, Mayer maintained this tradition.
At the end of 1937, a fresh script called, The Wizard of Oz, came across Mayer's desk. It was to be a fresh new picture for MGM and Mayer saw that. He oversaw every aspect of the film. It was also at the same time Mayer was eyeing a new technology called "Technicolor." (wanna see Louie in 'Technicolor?? C'maan clickytt!) It was a new mixture of solution that would change black and white into color as filmed. Mayer was on board and decided to experiment with it in, The Wizard of Oz. A master of surprise, Mayer did NOT include the fact that mid-way through Oz, the film would turn color, in the marketing of the film. The films release in 1939, indeed caught moviegoers by a beautiful surprise that revolutionized the industry. Patrons LOVED the new color films.
World War II and its aftermath rendered the studio system and Mayer's cherished ideas of entertainment obsolete and prohibitively expensive. The war brought about a darkening view of the human condition, which he steadfastly ignored in approving projects for MGM, preferring to continue with the escapist tone of what he had grown accustomed to. Dore Schary, head of production at RKO Studios was hired. Schary and Mayer battled from the very start. So much so that in in 1951, Mayer told MGM president Nick Schenck...it was either Schary or Mayer. While Schenck liked Mayer, he was no fan of ulimatums, and did not choose, but rather let Mayer know Schary was staying put. Out of protest, Mayer offered his resignation in 1951, to the company he had built, then walked out to his car...and left. In 1950, Mayer was given a special Academy Award, "for distinguished service to the motion picture industry." Fitting considering Mayer, along with other film pioneers, started the Acadamy. By 1952, Mayer had ontracted luekimia and retired to his hime.
Mayer stayed home much of his retirement enjoying the beach by day. He made frequent trips to New York, Boston, and Haverhill in the brief years before he died. On the morning of October 29, 1957, Mayer died in his sleep of the leukemia...wife Lorena Layson, was by his side. RIP Mr. Mayer..your legacy will always live on!! Virtually visit his grave, leave virtual flowers, and comments by clicking here.
If there has EVER been a case stronger, of sheer & extreme power in Hollywood greater than this mans...I have yet to see it. Trust me - I have seen alot, studied alot, and am full aware of the folks who run Hollywood today...."they aint gat it..like he had it!" He preferred to run his operations from behind the scenes...waaaay behind the scenes. He hated press and avoided them like the plague!! This is why he had Louie Mayer!! Mayer loved press and always strived to make it .. 'good press. Anyway - Loew hated it!! It was a well known fact in Hollywood. An old Hollywood rumor says Sam Goldwyn knew this and decided one day to play a joke on LB Mayer. He informed Mr. Loew he overheard LB (Mayer) tell the press they needed to go to Loew. Noone knows what happened, or if the press contacted Loew, who woulda then contacted Mayer. It was ironic the next week however, Sam Goldwyn got his nose busted while in the shower at the gym. The culprit?? LB himself!! Didn't say a word...just came up and socked him in the nose. Annywho - that's one of my favorite Hollywood tales there..
Where was I?? Oh yeah..Loew hated press and avoided them at ALL costs! He had people working for him when it came to that stuff. Word on the then-narrow streets of Hollywood was, he had so many people working for him - there was an employee whos sole purpose was to wipe his ass. I do not believe this, because, Loew was also a man who cheerished his privacy! One must assume from this fact - SOME things were off limits!! ANNYWAY...there is NO doubt he was one of the most powerful man to grace Hollywood...which he did do on occasion!! ONWARD!!
Marcus Loew was born May 7th, 1870, into a Jewish fam, in New York City. As a child he learned fast the value of a dollar, and coming from a needy family, learned how the process went of making a dollar! He quit school and started working. Living here, he gave most of what he earned to his family to help put food on the table, but he stuffed a little back for himself. (smart boy indeed!!) Thus, he worked, saved, and gave, and worked, gave, and saved. With the money he saved through the years, he invested into the arcade business. His business wits were genius and soon he was mingling with future Hollywood mogul, Adolf Zukor...soon after partners. Not just with Zukor, but 3 other investors. Though he was new to the business of investment, not a stranger to taking chances...he caught on quick and soon owned a nickelodeon. Though his business' successful...generally he was fast to pinch pennies and SAVE (be the word) due in part to his up bringing. Soon came another nickelodeon, and another, and another etc. He took great pride in his theaters...and personally oversaw the tidyness of them.
By 1905, Loew was reeling in dough and living here. (Here it is today..can we say hedge trimmers?) He decided a change of pace would do him good and founded the People's Vaudeville Company, (oh to be in Vaudeville, and vaudeville in me!!..all together now!!), a theatre chain which showcased one-reeler films as well as live variety shows to add to his regular theater chains. He organized his investments into the name of Loew's Consolidated Enterprises. Loew's Theater chains were doing FABulous and wanted to break from his partners. He wanted to be a one-man band. Since he outright owned most of his theaters, he sold what he did not own fully to his fellow investors and formed Loews, Inc. In 1923, he aqquired Metro Pictures Corporation (now Rem Mar Studios, the gates are original however.) It was around that time, a struggling Samuel Goldwyn wanted to sell his semi-newly formed company, Samuel Goldwyn Pictures. He wanted to sell and... knock, knock - Marcus Loew, at the door .. wanting to buy! Sam sold, and Loew now had two film companies on his hands. He also had the 'Leo the Lion', trademark that came with Samuel Goldwyn Pictures...(one of the big sellers for Loew..he was fond of the trademark Lion!) With his new purchases, he needed someone to run them. After all - his new purchases were in California and Loew needed his assistant, Nicholas Schenck, in New York. Loew himself had no intention of leaving New York...period.
The year 1924 rolled in and Loew had found the solution to his problems. He had heard of a young man in California who was fierce, creative, and had a passion for the movies in which he produced. That young man was Louis B. Mayer, and Loew went to California to make him an offer he couldn't refuse!! He would purchase Louis Mayer Pictures by giving Louis and untold of amount...then merge Samuel Goldwyn Pictures, and Metro Pictures Corp. together with Mayer Pictures. The kicker, I am sure, for Mayer - Loew wanted to put him in charge of the newly formed Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM). Wait-uh-minute?? Louis Mayer...studio head for the three combined Hollywood studios?? (no doubt Mayer was GITTY when signing that deal!) Mayer wasted NO time in accepting the offer...MGM was born! Loew returned to New York, Mayer hired Irving Thalburg to take the reins of production at MGM.
Under Mayer, MGM, was to become a MEGA POWERHOUSE in Hollywood!! Impressed with Mayer's decisions, Loew reportedly told Mayer..."just keep doing what you do!"
Sadly, Loew didn't live to see what a powerhouse MGM was to become! He died of a sudden heart attack on September 5, 1927. He was only 57 years of age. He never lived to see The Wizard of Oz, God's Gun, The Good..The Bad and The Ugly, Garbo, The James Bond films..(especially Octopussy), John Wayne films (theyda been best buds, i'm sure), Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, The Original Tarzan, Platoon, Moonstruck...on the other hand however, just think of what I am sure he is thanking the stars he didn't live to see...the Rocky films (allll 527 of them), and A Fish Called Wanda. I should note..those films were made off LB Mayers watch!
Anyway - RIP Mr Loew!! Your contribution in Hollywood is unmistakeable and monumental! A piece of you is in every MGM film made today! (except the upper 2 mentioned, of course.) You can visit his grave and leave virtual comments and flowers here! He rests a family mosoleum (that he started) at Maimonides Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.
Where was I?? Oh yeah..Loew hated press and avoided them at ALL costs! He had people working for him when it came to that stuff. Word on the then-narrow streets of Hollywood was, he had so many people working for him - there was an employee whos sole purpose was to wipe his ass. I do not believe this, because, Loew was also a man who cheerished his privacy! One must assume from this fact - SOME things were off limits!! ANNYWAY...there is NO doubt he was one of the most powerful man to grace Hollywood...which he did do on occasion!! ONWARD!!
Marcus Loew was born May 7th, 1870, into a Jewish fam, in New York City. As a child he learned fast the value of a dollar, and coming from a needy family, learned how the process went of making a dollar! He quit school and started working. Living here, he gave most of what he earned to his family to help put food on the table, but he stuffed a little back for himself. (smart boy indeed!!) Thus, he worked, saved, and gave, and worked, gave, and saved. With the money he saved through the years, he invested into the arcade business. His business wits were genius and soon he was mingling with future Hollywood mogul, Adolf Zukor...soon after partners. Not just with Zukor, but 3 other investors. Though he was new to the business of investment, not a stranger to taking chances...he caught on quick and soon owned a nickelodeon. Though his business' successful...generally he was fast to pinch pennies and SAVE (be the word) due in part to his up bringing. Soon came another nickelodeon, and another, and another etc. He took great pride in his theaters...and personally oversaw the tidyness of them.
By 1905, Loew was reeling in dough and living here. (Here it is today..can we say hedge trimmers?) He decided a change of pace would do him good and founded the People's Vaudeville Company, (oh to be in Vaudeville, and vaudeville in me!!..all together now!!), a theatre chain which showcased one-reeler films as well as live variety shows to add to his regular theater chains. He organized his investments into the name of Loew's Consolidated Enterprises. Loew's Theater chains were doing FABulous and wanted to break from his partners. He wanted to be a one-man band. Since he outright owned most of his theaters, he sold what he did not own fully to his fellow investors and formed Loews, Inc. In 1923, he aqquired Metro Pictures Corporation (now Rem Mar Studios, the gates are original however.) It was around that time, a struggling Samuel Goldwyn wanted to sell his semi-newly formed company, Samuel Goldwyn Pictures. He wanted to sell and... knock, knock - Marcus Loew, at the door .. wanting to buy! Sam sold, and Loew now had two film companies on his hands. He also had the 'Leo the Lion', trademark that came with Samuel Goldwyn Pictures...(one of the big sellers for Loew..he was fond of the trademark Lion!) With his new purchases, he needed someone to run them. After all - his new purchases were in California and Loew needed his assistant, Nicholas Schenck, in New York. Loew himself had no intention of leaving New York...period.
The year 1924 rolled in and Loew had found the solution to his problems. He had heard of a young man in California who was fierce, creative, and had a passion for the movies in which he produced. That young man was Louis B. Mayer, and Loew went to California to make him an offer he couldn't refuse!! He would purchase Louis Mayer Pictures by giving Louis and untold of amount...then merge Samuel Goldwyn Pictures, and Metro Pictures Corp. together with Mayer Pictures. The kicker, I am sure, for Mayer - Loew wanted to put him in charge of the newly formed Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM). Wait-uh-minute?? Louis Mayer...studio head for the three combined Hollywood studios?? (no doubt Mayer was GITTY when signing that deal!) Mayer wasted NO time in accepting the offer...MGM was born! Loew returned to New York, Mayer hired Irving Thalburg to take the reins of production at MGM.
Under Mayer, MGM, was to become a MEGA POWERHOUSE in Hollywood!! Impressed with Mayer's decisions, Loew reportedly told Mayer..."just keep doing what you do!"
Sadly, Loew didn't live to see what a powerhouse MGM was to become! He died of a sudden heart attack on September 5, 1927. He was only 57 years of age. He never lived to see The Wizard of Oz, God's Gun, The Good..The Bad and The Ugly, Garbo, The James Bond films..(especially Octopussy), John Wayne films (theyda been best buds, i'm sure), Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, The Original Tarzan, Platoon, Moonstruck...on the other hand however, just think of what I am sure he is thanking the stars he didn't live to see...the Rocky films (allll 527 of them), and A Fish Called Wanda. I should note..those films were made off LB Mayers watch!
Anyway - RIP Mr Loew!! Your contribution in Hollywood is unmistakeable and monumental! A piece of you is in every MGM film made today! (except the upper 2 mentioned, of course.) You can visit his grave and leave virtual comments and flowers here! He rests a family mosoleum (that he started) at Maimonides Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.
Irving Thalberg, 'BOY WONDER"...aka 'THE SHIT' in Hollywood...(namely MGM). I'm not a huge fan of sports. I like cheering for my team from the sidelines after the game...annd I tune in to the Super Bowl for the commercials, much like any other Hollywood fanatic. But you know how, during the time of year that is gearing up for football season, and the coach of a certain team picks his lineup and everyone says, "WOW, he has a good team this year - he picked all the good players..that team is gonna kick assholes!" Well...Irving was kiiinnnda like that...except he did it with TALENT UNSEEN, and the movie kicked assholes!! He had the ability to watch someone and know right off if they were right for an upcoming film. Alot of well known actors in the golden days, owed their carrers to Irving doing just that! Plucking them off the street to put them in film because he knew they would make that film kick asshole! In fact, Drew Barrymore should be revelling at Irving...for he discovered her formers...Lionel Barrymore, Ethel Barrymore, and John Barrymore! But this isn't about them..it's about him, Irving, so here is HIStory...
Irving Thalberg was born May 30, 1899, in Brooklyn, New York into a German/Jewish fam. Very bright and imaginative as a child, he was also the odd man out at school. He had a heart deformity, and likened early on to using his creativity and imagination to entertain himself. He excelled in his classes at school, and graduated on top of his class. He, however, chose to skip college when his dream gig came knocking. After applying and writing to studio head Carl Laemmle in response to a production opening at Universal Pictures, New York...Carl was so impressed with his creativity in the letter that he seized his application and personally offered him a job as his executive assistant. Any plans of college went out the door right there. (I think my plans for college would too if Carl Laemmle was ringing me,,,.....just sayin'!!) Carl brought him aboard thinking he would add a burst of life around the office. Turns out, he was that, and more! Carl was so immensly impressed with his wit and creativity, he made him executive in charge of production at Universal City, Studios, in California.
It was a new role for young Thalberg. He had charisma, tenacity, and looks that could kill. He looked like he should be in the films. This brought jealously from some other big name actors at Universal Pictures. He befriended another studio head across town by the name of Louis Mayer. The two became fast friends and more than once, Thalberg sought advice from Mayer. Stars were used to getting their way...but not with Thalberg! The tension that developed at Universal, started getting to Thalberg, and his heart. Thalberg did manage to get 2 films under his belt at Universal...Foolish Wives and 1923's Hunchback of Notre Dame. A short time later, Mayer offered Thalberg a top spot with his smaller company, Louis Mayer Pictures. Thalberg accepted, and thus, so started a decade of studio partnership together. Shortly after Thalberg came aboard with Mayer, Mayer's studio was bought by Marcus Loew, and thus became MGM for Metro Goldwyn Mayer. The two thrived together. MGM had with it, an actress by the name of Norma Shearer. Thalberg and Shearer dated, then married..having a lil Irving, Jr. The happy Thalberg family lived here, (not far from boss Louis Mayer, ironically).. here is the home today. Mayer looked upon Thalberg as his own son. The chemistry between Mayer and Thalberg was magic...but would turn potent soon enough.
Through the years, through the successes of MGM, Thalberg would openly take the credit. This....over time....caused Mayer to resent Thalberg, and the resentment was growing through arguments. Most of the time, the arguments were instigated merely to show others that Mayer, and only he, was still running the show at MGM. Thalberg was an asset he could take or leave. The arguments progressed to the point where..after an argument, the two wouldn't speak for days.
In 1933, a heart-attack forced Thalberg to take a 'doctor-ordered' long vacation from work. Upon Thalberg's return to work, he found his office cleaned out, and his job in the hands of Mayer's son-in-law...David Selznick. Mayer had demoted him to an ordinary producer, however, due to the closeness he had formed with Nicholas Schenck, the president of MGM corporate parent Loews's Inc...Schenck backed up Thalberg, underminding Mayer. (although I love LB...one backstab deserves another!) Most of the time, Thalberg did not attempt to interfere with Mayer's decision. Thalberg, though frail, had a modesty many of us could only hope for...and a monster of a determination even after being put through the mud, and against his wife and doctors wishes, put the normal 12 hour work days in.
On Sunday, September 6, 1936 ... Thalberg awoke to a horrible cold. Unfazed by otc medicines, Thalberg told Norma he'd wait it out. By Tuesday,September 8, he had
pneumonia and was having chest pains. Norma called for an ambulance and they took Thalberg to Ceaders. On Friday, September 11th, his last words to his wife, Norma, were, 'thank you', for getting him some water. He laid back and within hours was in a coma. Norma stayed by his side until the early morn of Monday, September 14th. His heart stopped during the night and Thalberg passed away. His weak heart had finally permanently given out. He was only 37 years old. During his tenure at MGM, he was quoted as saying, "Credit you give yourself is not worth having." The town of tinsel gave the credit for him. In honor of Thalberg, MGM suspended all of its productions for the day after he died and all of Hollywood shut down for five minutes of silence on the day of his funeral at 10AM PST. I think Will H. Hays said it best after his death, "The death of Irving Thalberg is an irreparable loss to the motion-picture industry. No one can take his place, though others may come to do his work." Thus, proven today. Leave virtual flowers and comments at his grave here.
See his obit here.
Irving Thalberg was born May 30, 1899, in Brooklyn, New York into a German/Jewish fam. Very bright and imaginative as a child, he was also the odd man out at school. He had a heart deformity, and likened early on to using his creativity and imagination to entertain himself. He excelled in his classes at school, and graduated on top of his class. He, however, chose to skip college when his dream gig came knocking. After applying and writing to studio head Carl Laemmle in response to a production opening at Universal Pictures, New York...Carl was so impressed with his creativity in the letter that he seized his application and personally offered him a job as his executive assistant. Any plans of college went out the door right there. (I think my plans for college would too if Carl Laemmle was ringing me,,,.....just sayin'!!) Carl brought him aboard thinking he would add a burst of life around the office. Turns out, he was that, and more! Carl was so immensly impressed with his wit and creativity, he made him executive in charge of production at Universal City, Studios, in California.
It was a new role for young Thalberg. He had charisma, tenacity, and looks that could kill. He looked like he should be in the films. This brought jealously from some other big name actors at Universal Pictures. He befriended another studio head across town by the name of Louis Mayer. The two became fast friends and more than once, Thalberg sought advice from Mayer. Stars were used to getting their way...but not with Thalberg! The tension that developed at Universal, started getting to Thalberg, and his heart. Thalberg did manage to get 2 films under his belt at Universal...Foolish Wives and 1923's Hunchback of Notre Dame. A short time later, Mayer offered Thalberg a top spot with his smaller company, Louis Mayer Pictures. Thalberg accepted, and thus, so started a decade of studio partnership together. Shortly after Thalberg came aboard with Mayer, Mayer's studio was bought by Marcus Loew, and thus became MGM for Metro Goldwyn Mayer. The two thrived together. MGM had with it, an actress by the name of Norma Shearer. Thalberg and Shearer dated, then married..having a lil Irving, Jr. The happy Thalberg family lived here, (not far from boss Louis Mayer, ironically).. here is the home today. Mayer looked upon Thalberg as his own son. The chemistry between Mayer and Thalberg was magic...but would turn potent soon enough.
Through the years, through the successes of MGM, Thalberg would openly take the credit. This....over time....caused Mayer to resent Thalberg, and the resentment was growing through arguments. Most of the time, the arguments were instigated merely to show others that Mayer, and only he, was still running the show at MGM. Thalberg was an asset he could take or leave. The arguments progressed to the point where..after an argument, the two wouldn't speak for days.
In 1933, a heart-attack forced Thalberg to take a 'doctor-ordered' long vacation from work. Upon Thalberg's return to work, he found his office cleaned out, and his job in the hands of Mayer's son-in-law...David Selznick. Mayer had demoted him to an ordinary producer, however, due to the closeness he had formed with Nicholas Schenck, the president of MGM corporate parent Loews's Inc...Schenck backed up Thalberg, underminding Mayer. (although I love LB...one backstab deserves another!) Most of the time, Thalberg did not attempt to interfere with Mayer's decision. Thalberg, though frail, had a modesty many of us could only hope for...and a monster of a determination even after being put through the mud, and against his wife and doctors wishes, put the normal 12 hour work days in.
On Sunday, September 6, 1936 ... Thalberg awoke to a horrible cold. Unfazed by otc medicines, Thalberg told Norma he'd wait it out. By Tuesday,September 8, he had
pneumonia and was having chest pains. Norma called for an ambulance and they took Thalberg to Ceaders. On Friday, September 11th, his last words to his wife, Norma, were, 'thank you', for getting him some water. He laid back and within hours was in a coma. Norma stayed by his side until the early morn of Monday, September 14th. His heart stopped during the night and Thalberg passed away. His weak heart had finally permanently given out. He was only 37 years old. During his tenure at MGM, he was quoted as saying, "Credit you give yourself is not worth having." The town of tinsel gave the credit for him. In honor of Thalberg, MGM suspended all of its productions for the day after he died and all of Hollywood shut down for five minutes of silence on the day of his funeral at 10AM PST. I think Will H. Hays said it best after his death, "The death of Irving Thalberg is an irreparable loss to the motion-picture industry. No one can take his place, though others may come to do his work." Thus, proven today. Leave virtual flowers and comments at his grave here.
See his obit here.
