Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, or MGM, is one of the most successful film studios in history. Known for producing golden-era classics such as Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz, MGM has left an indelible mark on Hollywood and was firmly established as one of the Big Five studios of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Let’s take a brief look at the history of this blockbuster studio.
The story of MGM begins with Louis B. Mayer. Born in Russia, Mayer immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of twelve. After working a variety of odd jobs, Mayer eventually found work in the film industry. He became the head of production at the newly formed Metro Pictures Corporation in 1918, which would later merge with two other studios to become MGM.
Throughout the 1920s, Mayer continued to climb the ranks of the film industry. He eventually became the vice-president and general manager of MGM, where he began to make innovative changes that would shape the studio’s future.
Mayer was known for his strict work ethic and his belief in the importance of quality filmmaking. He was also known for his ability to spot talent, and he was responsible for launching the careers of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
In 1924, Mayer joined forces with two other studio executives, Marcus Loew and Sam Goldwyn, to create the company that would eventually become MGM. The three men merged their studios – Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures, and Louis B. Mayer Productions – to form Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. At the time of its creation, MGM was the largest studio in Hollywood. It had an impressive production facility and an enviable roster of talented filmmakers and actors. In fact, the studio’s slogan boasted that they had “more stars than there are in heaven.”
MGM’s first film was He Who Gets Slapped, a 1924 silent movie-era drama starring Lon Chaney. The film was a critical and commercial success, establishing MGM as a major player in the film industry. In 1926, MGM released Ben Hur. Decades later, in 1959, the studio gave Ben Hur another try, this time creating a sweeping epic with larger-than-life sets that was a true blockbuster.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was committed to new technological advances within the industry. They emphasized quality and the wow factor to win audiences. When Hollywood transitioned to sound films, MGM responded by producing lavish musical films. When color film techniques were being developed, MGM took the lead with grand, extravagant Technicolor films such as Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, MGM was at the forefront of Hollywood’s Golden Age. The studio produced a string of iconic films, including Easter Parade, An American in Paris, Brigadoon, and Singin’ in the Rain. The studio was known for its lavish productions, featuring elaborate sets, costumes, and musical numbers. The studio launched the careers of stars such as Clark Gable, Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, and Elizabeth Taylor. Numerous MGM movies won Academy Awards in various categories.
Despite its early success, MGM began to decline in the 1950s. The studio struggled to keep up with the changing times, and its films began to feel outdated and out of touch. Additionally, MGM was hit hard by the rise of television. With more and more people staying home to watch TV, movie theaters began to lose customers, and MGM’s profits began to suffer. By the 1960s, MGM was in financial trouble. The studio was forced to sell off its assets, including its production facility and back catalog of films, in order to stay afloat.
MGM may have been down, but it wasn’t out. The studio regrouped and refocused its energies on the traits that made it great in the first place – dedication to quality, recognizing and cultivating young stars, and wowing audiences with its innovations. Today, MGM is still a player in the film industry, although it no longer holds the same level of power and influence that it once did. The studio has produced a number of successful films in recent years, including Creed, RoboCop, The Pink Panther, and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
As one of the “Big Five” studios during the Golden Age of Hollywood, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is a studio that has left an indelible mark on the industry. Its commitment to quality and innovation set a standard for the film industry that still exists today. Although the studio has seen its share of ups and downs over the years, its legacy lives on in the work of contemporary filmmakers and in the hearts of classic movie fans everywhere.