Sunday, December 28, 2014

Oz page 12

Oz page 12 by ric Gustafson


The MGM studio came into dominance in the 1930's under the leadership of Louis Mayer. By 1939, the studio was the most prestigious of all the Hollywood studios. MGM was one of Hollywood's big four studios. The other three were 20th Century Fox, Paramount and Warner Bros. Fox and Paramount produced sophisticated comedies, dramas and musicals with big production values and popular stars. Warner Bros produced gritty streetwise films. Warner Bros did gangster melodramas that elevated stars like James Cagney and Paul Muni to star status.
Other studios were Universal who made horror thrillers and westerns. Columbia which made common man comedies and melodramas. RKO made comedies and horror thrillers. United Artists made adult dramas and adult dramas. Walt Disney Productions made long and short animation. Hal Roach Productions made live action shorts with Laurel and Hardy and Our Gang. Republic Studios made westerns and serials.
MGM movies always looked good but a lot of them were smaller pictures for quick profits and turnaround. These smaller pictures helped finance larger film projects.


research help: ' The Wizard of Oz FAQ' by David J Hogan


Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

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