Mervyn LeRoy
Biography: Mervyn LeRoy was an American film director, producer, and sometime actor. LeRoy worked in costumes, processing labs and as a camera assistant until he became a gag writer and actor in silent films, including The Ten Commandments in 1923. LeRoy credits Ten Commandments director, Cecil B. DeMille, for inspiring him to become a director: "As the top director of the era, DeMille had been the magnet that had drawn me to his set as often as I could go." LeRoy also credits DeMille for teaching him the directing techniques required to make his own films. His first directing job was with First National Pictures on 1927's No Place to Go. LeRoy ended up working at Warner Bros. after they took control of First National. When his movies made lots of money without costing too much, he became well received in the movie business. He directed two key films which launched Edward G. Robinson into major stardom, the Oscar-nominated critique of tabloid journalism Five Star Final, and the classic gangster film Little Caesar, which made his mark. From that point forward, LeRoy would be responsible for a diverse variety of films as a director and producer. The following year's I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang was also nominated for the Academy Award for Outstanding Production as was his Anthony Adverse. In 1938 he was chosen as head of production at MGM, where he was responsible for the decision to make The Wizard of Oz. He was responsible for discovering Clark Gable, Loretta Young, Robert Mitchum, and Lana Turner. His 1941 film Blossoms in the Dust was nominated for the Academy Award for Outstanding Motion Picture. His first big hit as a director with MGM was 1942's Random Harvest which was their biggest of the season earning worldwide rentals of $8 million and for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Directing. The film was also nominated for the Academy Award for Outstanding Motion Picture. He hit big again two years later with Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo with rentals of $6 million. In 1951, he scored his biggest hit with Quo Vadis earning worldwide rentals of $21 million as well as a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Motion Picture. In the early 1950s, LeRoy directed such musicals as Lovely to Look At, Million Dollar Mermaid, Latin Lovers and Rose Marie. He returned to Warner Brothers in 1955, where he took over from John Ford as director on Mister Roberts, another big hit, which was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Motion Picture. He also directed films for Warners such as The Bad Seed, No Time for Sergeants, The FBI Story, and Gypsy. He received an honorary Oscar in 1946 for The House I Live In, "for tolerance short subject", and the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award in 1976. A total of eight movies Mervyn LeRoy directed or co-directed were nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, one of the highest numbers among all directors.
Place of Birth: Not available
Birthday: October 15, 1900
Deathday: September 13, 1987
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Known For
The Making of a Great Motion Picture
1936-04-15
The Making of a Great Motion Picture
Overview: Narrated documentary of the making of Anthony Adverse (1936), featuring many clips from the actual film.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-04-15
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The Making of the Wizard of Oz
1979-01-01
The Making of the Wizard of Oz
Overview: The time was 1938. The place, Hollywood. This is the story of one of the 456 films made that year, how it was made, and why it has endured.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1979-01-01
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Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words
2015-08-27
Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words
Overview: A personal and captivating account of the extraordinary life and work of Ingrid Bergman (1915-82), a young Swedish woman who became one of the most celebrated actresses in world cinema.
Genres: Documentary History
Original Language: sv
Release Date: 2015-08-27
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The Chorus Lady
1924-11-23
The Chorus Lady
Overview: When her latest show closes, Pat O'Brien returns home. The stable owned by her fiancé, Dan Mallory, catches fire, and Pat helps save his prize horse, Lady Belle, who is blinded. Because of the fire, Pat and Dan have to put their wedding plans on hold, and Pat returns to the stage.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1924-11-23
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Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
1983-02-25
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
Overview: Out-takes (mostly from Warner Bros.), promotional shorts, movie premieres, public service pleas, wardrobe tests, documentary material, and archival footage make up this star-studded voyeuristic look at the Golden age of Hollywood during the 30s, 40, and 50.
Genres: Documentary Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1983-02-25
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42nd Street: From Book to Screen to Stage
2006-03-21
42nd Street: From Book to Screen to Stage
Overview: Making-of documentary about the 1933 musical, 42nd Street.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2006-03-21
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Broadway After Dark
1924-05-19
Broadway After Dark
Overview: Ralph Norton, man-about-town and wealthy favorite in Broadway society circles, is attracted to Helen Tremaine, but her flirtatious behavior causes him to reject the superficial life of his set.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1924-05-19
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My American Wife
1922-12-31
My American Wife
Overview: A 1922 film.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1922-12-31
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Cavalcade of the Academy Awards
1940-07-31
Cavalcade of the Academy Awards
Overview: This 1940 presentation features highlights of earlier (1928 onward) Oscar ceremonies including Shirley Temple and Walt Disney, plus acceptance speeches for films released in 1939 with recipients and presenters including Vivien Leigh, Judy Garland, Hattie McDaniel, Fay Bainter, Mickey Rooney, Thomas Mitchell, Sinclair Lewis, and more, with host Bob Hope.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1940-07-31
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The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind
1988-10-01
The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind
Overview: This documentary revisits the making of Gone with the Wind via archival footage, screen tests, insightful interviews and rare film footage.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1988-10-01
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Rome, the Eternal City
1951-01-21
Rome, the Eternal City
Overview: A Traveltalk style documentary look at Rome.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1951-01-21
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Going Up
1923-09-30
Going Up
Overview: Going Up (1923)
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1923-09-30
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Prodigal Daughters
1923-04-15
Prodigal Daughters
Overview: Elinor "Swifty" Forbes and her younger sister Marjory are the carefree daughters of wealthy J. D. Forbes. Their mother shows no restraint over her daughters, so they live among the flapper set. Lester Hodges, a songwriter, is enamored of Marjory, while Garside, who runs a card room, is interested in Swifty. While gambling at Garside's place, Swifty meets Roger Corbin, who works as an engineer at her father's business. Corbin falls in love with Swifty. When Mr. Forbes protests against both his daughters' behavior, they move out. Marjory marries Hodges, but eventually leaves him and returns to her parents. Swifty, who has gambled herself into debt, agrees to marry Garside. But when the couple are together in a café, prohibition agents raid the place.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1923-04-15
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James Stewart: A Wonderful Life
1988-11-22
James Stewart: A Wonderful Life
Overview: Documentary about James Stewart's long career as an actor and positive personal life.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1988-11-22
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Hollywood, la vie rêvée de Lana Turner
2019-05-22
Hollywood, la vie rêvée de Lana Turner
Overview: Portrait of Julia Jean Turner, from her childhood to her rise of fame as Lana Turner, to her last role.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: fr
Release Date: 2019-05-22
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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: 50 Years of Magic
1990-02-20
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: 50 Years of Magic
Overview: Documentary about the making of the 1939 MGM classic film The Wizard of Oz. Includes interviews of cast and crew members, their families and fans of the film.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1990-02-20
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Little Johnny Jones
1923-08-12
Little Johnny Jones
Overview: Jockey Johnny Jones is hired to ride The Earl of Bloomsburg's horse at the English Derby. Crooked gambler Robert Anstead frames Johnny as a thief and kidnaps his sweetheart in order to make Johnny throw the race. Will he succeed?
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1923-08-12
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The Call of the Canyon
1923-12-16
The Call of the Canyon
Overview: Returning from World War I, Glenn Kilbourne travels to Arizona to regain his health. He meets a local girl, Flo Hutler, who helps him recover. His fiancee, Carley Burch, follows him to Arizona but soon decides she'd rather go back to New York. When Flo is badly hurt in an accident, Glenn decides to repay her for her help in bringing him back to health by proposing marriage.
Genres: Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1923-12-16
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You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story
2008-05-15
You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story
Overview: Jack L. Warner, Harry Warner, Albert Warner and Sam Warner were siblings who were born in Poland and emigrated to Canada near the turn of the century. In 1903, the brothers entered the budding motion picture business. In time, the Warner Brothers moved into film production and would open their own studio in 1923.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2008-05-15
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You Can't Fool a Camera
1941-05-23
You Can't Fool a Camera
Overview: This short starts out as a documentary. In a dramatization, Eadward Muybridge's photographic experiments prove that when a horse gallops, there are times when all four of the animal's feet are off the ground. We are then brought to the present, where MGM directors and their cinematographers are shown working on current productions. The film closes with closeups of the studio's major stars and a tribute to the studio's actors who have joined the armed forces.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1941-05-23
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