Tag Archives: MGM
1948 opening of Picwood Theater at 10872 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles.
This shot was taken of the 1948 opening of the Picwood Theater at 10872 W. Pico. Blvd. Looks like it opened with MGM’s “The Three Musketeers” starring Gene Kelly. With all that neon, this place must have been striking at … Continue reading
A weekly payroll report from 1926 showing the salaries for the MGM writers.
A weekly payroll report from 1926 showing the salaries for the MGM writers. MGM’s staff of writers included a large percentage of women, and in fact, its two highest-paid writers in 1926 were female.
Samuel Goldwyn’s studio lot, Washington Blvd, Culver City, 1918
Before the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer merger in 1924, the studio lot at 10202 W. Washington Boulevard, Culver City was Samuel Goldwyn’s. This photo was taken in 1918 and you can see the colonnaded gate (circled in red) which became famous as the … Continue reading
Busby Berkley letter on Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer letterhead, dated November 13, 1939
This letter is from Busby Berkley recommending a performer named Audrey Miller (who I’ve never heard of) for acceptance into the Junior Actor’s Guild (which I’ve never heard of.) With a recommendation like that, I think we can safely assume … Continue reading
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Tagged Correspondence / Letters / Memos, Hollywood, MGM, Movie Stars, Movie Studios
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Aerial view of MGM’s Circus Maximus set from “Ben Hur” (1925)
This aerial shot of MGM’s 1925 version of “Ben Hur” intersection makes me shake my head in wonder. In the movie it all looks to grand, but when you look at it like this, it doesn’t look all that impressive. … Continue reading
MGM’s “The Life of Emile Zola” premiere at Carthay Circle theater, 1937
All the elements for a big Hollywood premiere are all right here in this photo – the iconic Carthay Circle theater, the line of limos for the celebs, movie fans waiting in the bleachers, and a huge searchlight to make … Continue reading
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Tagged Carthay Circle Theater, MGM, Movie Premiere, Night photo, Theaters
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Irving Thalberg and Norma Shearer’s beach house on Santa Monica beach
MGM’s Irving Thalberg and Norma Shearer had a beach house on Santa Monica beach. As with his neighbors Louis B. Mayer and William Randolph Hearst, it sat right on the edge of the sand. But unlike his neighbors, Thalberg was … Continue reading
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Tagged Aerial photographs, Beaches, MGM, Movie Stars, Santa Monica
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MGM art director Cedric Gibbons livingroom, Santa Monica, 1930s
Cedric Gibbons was the king of art direction during MGM’s greatest years: 1925 to 1956. It was his eye that gave their pictures that sumptuous MGM look, so you can imagine that his house wouldn’t be too shabby. This is … Continue reading
MGM mogul Louis B Mayer’s beach house at Santa Monica
MGM mogul Louis B Mayer’s beach house at Santa Monica. It was built in 1926 and constructed in six weeks under the supervision of his studio’s great art director, Cedric Gibbons. Legend has it that Mayer was in this house … Continue reading