MGM: When the Lion Roars (1992– )

The history of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios.

Stars:

Patrick Stewart, Samuel Marx, June Allyson

Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Patrick Stewart	...	Himself - Host (3 episodes, 1992)
Samuel Marx	...	Himself (3 episodes, 1992)
June Allyson	...	Herself (2 episodes, 1992)
Lew Ayres	...	Himself (2 episodes, 1992)
Freddie Bartholomew	...	Himself (2 episodes, 1992)
Jackie Cooper	...	Himself (2 episodes, 1992)
George Gibson	...	Himself (2 episodes, 1992)
Helen Hayes	...	Herself (2 episodes, 1992)
Van Johnson	...	Himself (2 episodes, 1992)
Roddy McDowall	...	Himself (2 episodes, 1992)
Ricardo Montalban	...	Himself (2 episodes, 1992)
Maureen O'Sullivan	...	Herself (2 episodes, 1992)
Dorothy Raye	...	Herself (2 episodes, 1992)
Mickey Rooney	...	Himself (2 episodes, 1992)
Dorothy Tuttle	...	Herself (2 episodes, 1992)
William Tuttle	...	Himself (2 episodes, 1992)

Storyline

This series surveys the history of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios from its creation and rise in the 1920's, its pinnacle in the 30's and 40's to it's decline in the 1950's.

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Plot Keywords:

movie studio | company history | hollywood | film history | tv mini series | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 March 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amikor az oroszlán elbődül

Company Credits

Production Co:

Point Blank Productions, Turner Pictures (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

360 min 366 min (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The 3-part documentary originally contained a lot of footage of Fred Astaire when it was broadcast on PBS and Turner Classic Movies. The newly released DVD has re-edited the segments in part 3 and deleted all (almost all) the Astaire footage, including clips of him dancing with Gene Kelly and Lucille Bremer - both from Ziegfeld Follies, and solo in Royal Wedding, as Debbie Reynolds shares a story about meeting him and being invited to watch him rehearse.

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Crazy Credits

Following the last ending credit of "Part Three" is displayed the following dedication text: Dedicated to the memory of Samuel Marx and Freddie Bartholomew

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Connections

Features Trader Horn (1931)

User Reviews

Outstanding Documentary

The meteoric rise (and lamentable fall) of, perhaps, the most legendary Hollywood movie studio is documented here, in a dazzling three-part mini-series as lavishly designed as the best of the MGM films themselves. Pure gold for movie buffs (and as easily accessible to the average viewer); "When the Lion Roars" combines a grippingly-told account of MGM's history, rich with tons of vintage film clips, interviews with studio stars, and a fascinating look at such legendary figures as L.B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg

• all ably hosted by Patrick Stewart, who is clearly enjoying himself

throughout.

And well he should be. There are scores of documentaries out there about Hollywood's Golden Age, but none even REMOTELY approaching the quality and craftsmanship of "When the Lion Roars". This is quite possibly one of the finest documentaries ever made. It has been released on video and, though not the easiest thing to find after seven years, is well worth the search.