Louis B. Mayer

Louis B. Mayer was an American film producer and studio executive who co-founded Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and led its production from 1924 to 1948.

Irving Thalberg: An American film producer who served as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s head of production before his death in 1936. Mayer’s most consequential production partner, Thalberg exercised unusual creative authority at MGM.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer: An American film studio formed in 1924 through the combination of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures, and Louis B. Mayer Productions. Mayer’s principal institution gave him authority over a large, integrated production operation.
Mayer & Schneider: A Massachusetts theater business founded by Louis B. Mayer and Nathan H. Gordon in 1907. Mayer’s entry into film began with acquiring and operating theaters through this partnership.
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: A professional organization founded in 1927 to advance the motion-picture industry and present the Academy Awards. Mayer helped establish the Academy as a response to labor disputes and studio concerns.
Marcus Loew: An American entertainment entrepreneur who built the Loew’s theater chain and acquired Metro Pictures. Loew’s purchase of Mayer’s studio helped create the corporate structure behind MGM.
Hollywood studio system: A system in which major film studios controlled production, contracted talent, and often owned distribution and exhibition networks. Mayer’s executive power depended on this system’s centralized control of filmmaking.
Loew's, Inc.: An American theater and entertainment company founded by Marcus Loew that became the parent of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Loew’s acquired Mayer’s production company and placed him at the center of the new studio.
Academy Awards: Annual film awards presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. MGM’s prestige productions and publicity flourished in the awards culture Mayer helped foster.
Samuel Goldwyn: A film producer who co-founded the studio that became part of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. His production company supplied one of the three studios combined to form MGM.
Star system: A method of promoting films through performers whose public images were cultivated by studios. MGM used publicity and long-term contracts to turn performers into valuable studio attractions.

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