MGM’s wunderkind production, Irving Thalberg, (who is the subject of my novel, “The Heart of the Lion”) died on September 14, 1936. As a tribute to his unparalleled contribution to the studio, MGM named their new administration building after him. It was completed two years later and still stands on the MGM studio lot, which is now Sony and Columbia. In the foyer, the 12 Best Picture Academy Awards won by M-G-M and Columbia are in display. It was the most important building in the studio because it’s where the head of MGM, Louis B. Mayer, had his office on the third floor and a private dining room on the fourth. This photo was taken shortly after the building was completed.
I took this photo of the Thalberg building when I visited the studio in September 2014. The huge rainbow is a public sculpture that arcs over the lot, which is quite fitting for the studio that gave us “The Wizard of Oz” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
There is also a plaque which recognizes the historic significance of the Thalberg building by Culver City, where the studio is.
Where the studio is located.
In Culver City. It’s now the Sony studios.
Thank you.
In my opinion, the Thalberg Building is the most beautiful building on any film studio lot, anywhere in the world and is my all time favourite Art Deco – Moderne in the World.
I have a book stamped in red ink which reads:
Metro-Goldwyn Mayer library Culver City ..Calif. It is stamped on several pages and it was in the ‘library’ during the twenties. It was checked out by an actor as you would a regular library. Do you know where this ‘MGM Library’ was located? In the studios? Who could check out books from it? Just curious. I could find nothing on a ‘MGM Library’ in Culver City. Did the studio have it’s own library? I would appreciate your help.