Louis B. Mayer: Co-Founder of Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer Studios
Louis B. Mayer was a name that Hollywood will never forget. He was one of the most influential and successful entrepreneurs in the motion picture industry from the 1920s to the 1950s. As the co-founder of the legendary Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Mayer laid the foundation for modern-day Hollywood. His career and groundbreaking successes made him an American film mogul, and he is still remembered for being a productive and innovative leader in the industry.
Early Life
Louis B. Mayer was born Lazar Meir in Minsk, Belarus in 1884 to a family of poor Jewish immigrants from Russia. Mayer moved with his family to Saint John, New Brunswick in Canada when he was a small child. He left school at the age of 12 and moved to Boston, Massachusetts with his parents to pursue employment that would help support the family. With no education, Mayer worked at a factory during the day and went to school at night. It was at this time that he changed his name to Louis B. Mayer. Eventually, through hard work and determination, Mayer became a successful real estate and theater executive in New England.
Career
Mayer began his career in show business as an exhibitor in 1903, renting a small nickelodeon in Haverhill, Massachusetts. He opened his own theater before long, and in the time that followed, he went on to build a number of theater chains in Canada and the United States. His success eventually brought him the attention of Marcus Loew, who offered Mayer the position of Vice President of Loews Theatres. Through Loews he met Marcus’ brother, Abraham, and together they became partners and founded Metro Pictures Corporation in April of 1923.
Success at Metro Pictures Corporation
Mayer was the driving force behind Metro Pictures Corporation, overseeing all aspects of the company, from business affairs to production, distribution, and marketing. As Metro Pictures Corporation grew, it merged with Goldwyn Pictures and Louis B. Mayer Productions in 1924 to become Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios.
Mayer’s eye for talent and demand for high quality pictures and stories was essential to MGM’s success. He is famously quoted as having said, “More stars meant more box office.” He was able to sign big name actors and actresses, and his exceptional presentation skills helped him to understand the psychology of the entertainment business and attract a lot of attention from the public. He produced some of the most iconic films of all time, such as The Wizard of Oz (1939), Gone with the Wind (1939), and Singin’ in the Rain (1952).
Promotion of Family Values
Mayer was known as a traditionalist and promoter of family values. He insisted on ‘wholesome material’ and family-friendly themes in all of his films. He also strove to create an idealized society and approach to filmmaking, which was inspired by his own idealistic childhood and his strong family morals. He was proud of the fact that, under his stewardship, MGM would not stoop to the lowest denominator of entertainment — that of the salacious and criminal, according to him — that other film studios were more than willing to engage in for maximum profits.
Philanthropy
Mayer was also a noted philanthropist. As he amassed huge wealth and wealth of his career, he was a generous and active supporter of various charities and causes. He established the Mayer-Schwartz Homeless Center in Boston and Los Angeles, dedicated to providing aid for homeless people. He also founded the Louis B. Mayer Foundation for Jewish Medical Research in 1952 and donated millions of dollars to various Jewish charities and organizations.
Production Code
Mayer was a strict adherent to the Hays Production Code and was one of the main defenders of its enforcement in Hollywood. In 1934, the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America — with Mayer as its Vice President — outlined a moral code of behavior in movies they called The Motion Picture Production Code.
Legacy
Throughout his career, Mayer produced more than 300 pictures and received a multitude of awards, including two Oscars and an honorary Academy Award in 1951. In addition, he had a significant influence on the personalities and talent that were recruited to MGM during his tenure, including Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, Judy Garland, and Jimmy Stewart. Mayer epitomized the stereotypical behind-the-scenes Hollywood executive with his corporate style approach to business and an unyielding demand for box office success.
Mayer died in 1957 and is remembered to this day as one of the most influential movie moguls of Hollywood’s golden age. His legacy shaped modern-day Hollywood and is still celebrated today as a prime example of entrepreneurial success.
Louis B. Mayer was a pioneering presence in the movie industry, and his influence and success are still felt today in the entertainment world. His passion for success pushed him to strive for more, and his efforts transformed Hollywood. Mayer was an innovator, a traditionalist, and a philanthropist, adeptly crafting a lasting impression in American culture. His contributions to the motion picture industry will live on for generations.
