Tag Archives: MGM
The premiere of MGM’s “Queen Christina” starring Greta Garbo at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, February 9, 1934
This particular night – February 9, 1934 – would have been a big one for Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and MGM as it was a premiere for “Queen Christina” starring Greta Garbo. To the right of the theater behind the movie … Continue reading
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Tagged Grauman's Chinese Theater, Hollywood, Hollywood Blvd, MGM, Movie Premiere, Movie Stars, Night photo, Theaters
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The home of Irving Thalberg and Norma Shearer at 707 Ocean Front, Santa Monica, California, circa 1931
Before Malibu became the beachside addressed favored by Hollywood’s celebrated, the place to build was along Ocean Front (now Pacific Coast Highway.) In 1926, MGM chief, Louis B. Mayer, had his leading set designer, Cedric Gibbons, come up with a … Continue reading
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer stars celebrate the 20th anniversary of the MGM motion picture studio in 1944
And to help you identify who’s who, here’s a guide:
Human billboard for MGM’s “Hollywood Revue of 1929” at Wilshire Blvd and Shatto Place, Los Angeles, circa June 1929
Some bright spark in MGM’s publicity department decided that a great way to garner attention for the movie “Hollywood Revue of 1929” (the studio’s second feature-length musical, and one of their earliest sound films) was to create a huge billboard … Continue reading
Aerial view of Metro Pictures movie studios at Cahuenga Blvd and Romaine St, Los Angeles, 1921
In this aerial shot of the Metro Pictures movie studios in 1921, the horizontal street at the top is Melrose; the next one down is Waring, followed by Willoughby, then Romaine. Taken three years before merging with the Samuel Goldwyn … Continue reading
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Tagged Aerial photographs, Hollywood, MGM, Movie Stars, Movie Studios
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Aerial shot of Goldwyn Pictures triangular movie studios, Culver City, Los Angeles, circa early 1920s
In 1915, Thomas Ince partnered with D.W. Griffith and Mack Sennett to form The Triangle Motion Picture Company. It’s not hard to see where they got the name: the triangular shape of their studio lot bordered by Washington Blvd on … Continue reading
Looking south down Broadway at 7th Street, downtown Los Angeles, 1942
The Life magazine photographer who took this slice-of-life shot was standing on the streetcar stop at Broadway and 7th Street in downtown Los Angeles. The view is looking south toward the Loew’s State Theatre, MGM’s main movie house, where “Woman … Continue reading
French Village, Highland Ave at Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, circa early 1930s
Though little remembered these days, back in the 1920s through the early 50s, a French village stood at the corner where Highland Ave met Cahuenga Blvd, which put it near the entrance of the Hollywood Bowl. It saw a revolving … Continue reading
The Thalberg Building on the MGM studio lot shortly after it was completed in 1938, Culver City, Los Angeles
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. … Continue reading
Aerial shot of Lot Two of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer movie studios, Culver City, Los Angeles, 1949
In its heyday, the MGM studio lot in Culver City covered more than the triangular site that grew out of the old Triangle Film Corporation facilities. Across Overland Ave, MGM’s vast backlot sprawled across what was known as Lot Two. … Continue reading