I remember seeing an item in the Hollywood Reporter a little while ago about the lack of skilled and seasoned producers in the industry. One of the anonymous sources cited a corporate culture at fault for eviscerating art and concentrating on profit. He/she bemoaned the emphasis on product, as if that were a new turn in the filmmaking game… Look for Louis B. Mayer and listen to what he has to say:
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Jean Harlow with husband Paul Bern sign the register at the entrance to Grauman’s. Paul Bern, a writer and director at MGM contributed to the script of “Grand Hotel” and would commit suicide not long after this event.
Edward G. Robinson, Fred Niblo, Joan Crawford, Edmund Goulding, Norma Shearer, and Clark Gable sign – along with Hedda Hopper:
And, Lew Ayres and Lola Lane:
You are both darling and kind. I found some pictures today of Louis B. giving the ambassador from England (Sir Esme Something) a tour of MGM in 1927 — along with some pics of early sound engineers. I’ll trot them out next week. Hugs to you Mister!!! V
I love Lew Ayres… All Quiet on the Western Front is one of my favorite movies. Plus, he’s a good Minnesota boy like me 🙂
Ah oh, I think I have a picture for you:
https://vickielester.com/2012/05/17/ice-ice-baby/
I can’t think of any more unlikely movie (and I’ve never seen it) but it starred Lew Ayres, Jimmy Stewart and Joan Crawford… “The Ice Follies of 1939”.
OMG… that is wrong on so many levels. And no, I have not seen the movie. It sounds like MGM’s answer to Sonja Henie?
Doesn’t Jean Harlow look fabulous in those clothes? It is sad to think that she had but a relatively short time to live. I’m groggy, but wasn’t there some kind of scandal over Mr Bern’s death?
Lola Lane is rather marvellous in that couture. Ah, and Lew Ayres: brave enough to be a pacifist in Hollywood.
Fred Niblo, a name I find childishly amusing. And Louis B., what a funny man! (okay, not “funny” in the accepted sense :))
Love Grand Hotel (and Dinner at Eight) – Garbo, the Barrymores, young Joan C – who doesn’t?!
If I’m getting the story straight he shot himself on their wedding night and left a note apologizing for his inadequacy. Very, very, sad.
Yes, yes. How terrible.
Poor Jean Harlow. Gone too soon. I remember looking at her hand and footprints at Grauman’s Chinese, and being amazed at how SMALL they were. Thanks for these images, Vickie—so much Hollywood glam!
Gorgeous and tiny – an inch over five feet tall and weighing in at 110 – and under.