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Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

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Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
NameMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.
TypePublic
Traded asNYSE: MGM
Foundation17 April 1924
FounderMarcus Loew
LocationBeverly Hills, California, U.S.
Key peopleKevin Ulrich (Chairman), Chris Brearton (Vice Chairman), Michael De Luca & Pamela Abdy (Co-Chairpersons, Motion Picture Group)
IndustryFilm, Television
ProductsMotion pictures, Television programs
OwnerAmazon (since 2022)
Num employees~1,400 (2021)
Homepagemgm.com

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is a storied American media company renowned for its vast contributions to classical Hollywood cinema. Founded in 1924 through the merger of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures, and Louis B. Mayer Pictures, the studio became synonymous with glamour and quality under the leadership of Louis B. Mayer and production head Irving Thalberg. For decades, its famous motto "Ars Gratia Artis" and the roaring Leo the Lion logo represented the pinnacle of the Hollywood studio system, producing a staggering number of feature films and cultivating a roster of stars known as "more stars than there are in heaven."

History

The studio was formed on April 17, 1924, by theater magnate Marcus Loew, who merged his recently acquired Metro Pictures with Goldwyn Pictures and the Louis B. Mayer Pictures company. Under the management of Louis B. Mayer and the innovative production supervision of Irving Thalberg, the studio quickly rose to dominance, emphasizing high production values and a stable of contract players like Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, and Judy Garland. The Golden Age of Hollywood saw the studio produce numerous Academy Award-winning films, including Grand Hotel and Mutiny on the Bounty. Following a period of decline in the 1950s due to the Paramount decrees and the rise of television, the company was sold to financier Kirk Kerkorian in 1969, who transformed it into a hotel and casino conglomerate, though its film output continued with successes like the James Bond series.

Film Library

The studio's film library is one of the most valuable and extensive in the world, containing over 4,000 titles. This catalog includes the pre-May 1986 library of United Artists, which it acquired in 1981, bringing in classics like the James Bond franchise, Rocky, and The Pink Panther. The library also holds the iconic The Wizard of Oz, the Gone with the Wind (whose distribution rights are shared with Warner Bros.), and a vast array of musicals from its heyday, such as Singin' in the Rain and An American in Paris. These assets have been a cornerstone of its value through various corporate changes and were a key factor in its acquisition by Amazon.

Notable Films

Throughout its history, the studio has been responsible for a multitude of landmark films. Its early sound era was defined by The Broadway Melody, the first sound film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. The 1930s brought prestige with Grand Hotel and the epic Mutiny on the Bounty. The 1939 release of The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind (the latter with Selznick International Pictures) created enduring cultural icons. Later decades produced the Ben-Hur remake, the James Bond series starting with Dr. No, and 2001: A Space Odyssey. More recent critical and commercial successes include Thelma & Louise, the Legally Blonde series, and the Creed films.

Television Productions

The company's television division, originally known as MGM Television, has been active since the 1950s. It produced seminal series such as the WWII drama Combat! and the science-fiction staple The Outer Limits. In later years, it found success with syndicated shows like Fame and In the Heat of the Night. The modern iteration, under the ownership of Amazon, operates as part of Amazon Studios, but its legacy productions continue to be distributed widely. The division also co-produced the acclaimed Stargate SG-1 and the popular Vikings for the History channel.

Corporate History and Ownership

The corporate history has been marked by numerous changes in ownership and financial struggles. After its golden age, Kirk Kerkorian purchased the company in 1969 and sold its physical assets, including the famed MGM backlot to Columbia and later Sony. The studio merged with United Artists in 1981. It filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2010, emerging later that year under the control of creditors including Highland Capital Management and Carl Icahn. In 2021, it was announced that the company would be acquired by Amazon for $8.45 billion, a deal finalized in March 2022, making its library and production capabilities part of the Amazon Prime Video ecosystem.

Studio Facilities and Operations

Historically, the studio operated from its iconic lot in Culver City, California, originally the home of the Thomas H. Ince Studios and later Selznick International Pictures. This facility, known for its water tower and sound stages, was the production site for classics like Gone with the Wind and Citizen Kane. While the company no longer owns this historic lot—it was sold and is now operated by Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures—it remains a symbol of its legacy. Current film and television production is managed through its offices in Beverly Hills and leverages the resources of its parent company, Amazon.

Category:Film production companies of the United States Category:Companies based in Los Angeles County, California Category:Entertainment companies established in 1924