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Louis Bart MayerOne of the first film producers, known as the head and one of the founders of the Hollywood film studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Date of Birth: 04.07.1884
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Louis B. Mayer
Louis Burt Mayer, born Lazar Meir on July 4, 1884, in Minsk, was one of the pioneering film producers and the leader and co-founder of the Hollywood film studio "Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer" (MGM).
Early Life
The exact time and place of Mayer's birth are still unknown as his parents left their homeland when he was two years old. Some sources claim he was born on July 12 in Dimer, near Kiev. Fearing Jewish pogroms, Mayer's parents moved to the American state of Rhode Island. When Mayer's younger brothers Rubin and Jeremiah were born, the family settled in the Canadian city of Saint John. His father worked as a scrap metal salesman, while his mother worked on a poultry farm. Growing up, Mayer began helping his father, eventually becoming successful on his own. However, as a minor, he could not control his income and soon left his father's company to seek alternative sources of income. At the age of 19, Mayer moved to Boston, not only for job opportunities but also because he had fallen in love with a woman named Margaret Shenberg, who lived there. After winning her father's approval, they got married.
Rise in the Film Industry
With the support of his wife and his father-in-law's financial assistance, Mayer acquired a small run-down movie theater. Within six months, he turned it into the most fashionable and profitable establishment in the city. He continued to acquire other theaters, eventually owning a substantial entertainment network. However, Mayer had bigger dreams – he wanted to establish his own film studio. By chance, he acquired the rights to the film "The Birth of a Nation" for a small sum, which turned out to be a huge success and made Mayer a millionaire. This success convinced him that he was on the right path.
In 1914, Mayer founded the film studio "ALCO," and two years later, he co-founded "Metro Pictures" with Richard Rowland. Recognizing Hollywood's future potential, Mayer moved to Los Angeles, severed ties with Rowland, and created his own corporation, "Louis B. Mayer Pictures." In 1924, New York millionaire Marcus Loew proposed merging "Mayer Pictures," "Goldwyn Pictures," and "Metro Pictures" into one corporation. Mayer realized the significance of this consolidation and agreed, reserving the position of vice president with unlimited possibilities. Thus, the famous film company "Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer" or simply "MGM" was born.
Success and Legacy
Under Mayer's leadership, MGM quickly became the most profitable and powerful film corporation. The company's success was due in part to the work of talented actors such as John Gilbert, Clark Gable, Fred Astaire, Greta Garbo, Norma Shearer, and Robert Taylor. Mayer's success lay in his keen intuition for public taste. He always knew which films would be successful and often intervened in the production process. He also had a keen eye for talent, personally selecting the entire staff of the studio, from janitors to leading actors. However, contemporaries often described Mayer as a strict boss who did not tolerate disrespect. All actors adhered to his rules. When John Gilbert insulted him, Mayer threatened to make him unemployed, even if it cost the studio a million dollars. When Clark Gable refused the lead role in "Gone with the Wind," Mayer asked, "Do you want to become a beggar?" Gable had to comply, and the result is history – the film was a tremendous success and turned Gable into a global star.
Mayer was a visionary businessman who always looked to the future. During a dinner in 1927, he lamented the lack of an organization that addressed cinematographic issues and motivated directors to create good movies. This conversation was soon forgotten by others, except Mayer. He took action and played a significant role in the creation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Mayer came up with the idea of awarding the best films of the year with a special award that, with the help of MGM artists and sculptors, became the iconic "Oscar" statuette. The first awards were presented in 1929, and the name "Oscar" was adopted in 1935. Ironically, the statue received its name when the archivist and librarian of the Academy, Margaret Herrick, jokingly recognized her uncle Oscar in the statue.
Although Mayer wanted to lead the Academy, he feared it would be seen as under the control of MGM, tarnishing the company's image. As a result, the presidency was given to an unbiased person – actor Douglas Fairbanks. Thus, the influential organization, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, was established, and since 1929, it has awarded the prestigious "Oscar" to the best films of the year. Mayer gradually lost influence over his creation, but he was still known as the "father of the Oscar."
In his personal life, Mayer held conservative views. He loved his wife and two daughters and took care of them in every way. However, in the later years of his life, he had disagreements with Margaret and left his family. He remarried to Lorena Layson, who stayed with him until his death.
In the 1950s, MGM's policies became outdated, and Mayer's young assistants took advantage of this. They successfully ousted him from power, and although he tried to regain influence, he was unsuccessful. Mayer passed away on October 29, 1957, from leukemia. Ironically, with his death, the once-great studio MGM declined and is no longer among the top ten largest film companies.
On the other hand, Mayer's other creation, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, continues to thrive. Interestingly, in his later years, Mayer received an Oscar for his "invaluable contribution to the art of cinema." It is hard to argue with this – would Hollywood exist in its current form without Louis B. Mayer?
