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MGM: When the Lion Roars

  • TV Mini Series
  • 19921992
  • UnratedUnrated
  • 6h
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
661
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
42,661
7,853
MGM: When the Lion Roars (1992)
Mgm Story: When The Lion Roars
Play trailer1:09
1 Video
3 Photos
Documentary
The history of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios.The history of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios.The history of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios.
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
661
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
42,661
7,853
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Stars
      • Patrick Stewart
      • Samuel Marx
      • Mickey Rooney
    Top credits
    • Stars
      • Patrick Stewart
      • Samuel Marx
      • Mickey Rooney
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 17User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
    • Won 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 2 wins & 4 nominations total

    Episodes8

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated
    1992

    Videos1

    Mgm Story: When The Lion Roars
    Trailer 1:09
    Mgm Story: When The Lion Roars

    Photos

    MGM: When the Lion Roars (1992)
    MGM: When the Lion Roars (1992)
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    Top cast

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    Patrick Stewart
    Patrick Stewart
    • Self - Host
    4 episodes4 eps • 1992
    Samuel Marx
    • Self
    3 episodes3 eps • 1992
    Mickey Rooney
    Mickey Rooney
    • Self
    2 episodes2 eps • 1992
    Roddy McDowall
    Roddy McDowall
    • Self
    2 episodes2 eps • 1992
    Ricardo Montalban
    Ricardo Montalban
    • Self
    2 episodes2 eps • 1992
    Van Johnson
    Van Johnson
    • Self
    2 episodes2 eps • 1992
    Jackie Cooper
    Jackie Cooper
    • Self
    2 episodes2 eps • 1992
    Maureen O'Sullivan
    Maureen O'Sullivan
    • Self
    2 episodes2 eps • 1992
    June Allyson
    June Allyson
    • Self
    2 episodes2 eps • 1992
    Helen Hayes
    Helen Hayes
    • Self
    2 episodes2 eps • 1992
    Lew Ayres
    Lew Ayres
    • Self
    2 episodes2 eps • 1992
    Freddie Bartholomew
    Freddie Bartholomew
    • Self
    2 episodes2 eps • 1992
    William Tuttle
    William Tuttle
    • Self
    2 episodes2 eps • 1992
    Dorothy Tuttle
    • Self
    2 episodes2 eps • 1992
    Dorothy Raye
    Dorothy Raye
    • Self
    2 episodes2 eps • 1992
    George Gibson
    • Self
    2 episodes2 eps • 1992
    Charlton Heston
    Charlton Heston
    • Self
    1 episode1 ep • 1992
    Richard Chamberlain
    Richard Chamberlain
    • Self
    1 episode1 ep • 1992
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The working title for this series was originally "MGM: When the Lion Roared." The company operating as MGM as of 1992--which continues to exist--is not the legal successor to the "classic" MGM, which ceased to exist after Ted Turner bought and subsequently dismantled the studio in 1986, despite sharing similar assets such as the Leo the Lion logo. However, the new MGM thought the title was detrimental to its company and demanded the slight title change.
    • 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
    • Connections
      Featured in Hollywood Burn (2006)

    User reviews17

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    An absolute joy.
    Part One.

    I have heard the story of how MGM began, but never in such rich detail. This film dove into the daily inter-workings of the studio in the early days and I found it fascinating. I especially enjoyed the insight of Margaret Booth, a film editor at MGM, and specifically her recollection at Douglas Shearer's attention to detail (he could tell when a film was one projection pin out of sync with the sound).

    This part of the film uses a lot of footage from silent movies and gives background detail on these films. My knowledge of silent films is poor, so I learned a lot in just a few minutes of watching this documentary. I also enjoyed how they talked about the struggle for silent stars to transition to talkies.

    I had (of course) heard the story of John Gilbert's star falling like a lead balloon, but I never heard the juicy reasons why: he punched LB Mayer when Greta Garbo left him (Gilbert) at the altar and Mayer returned the favor a few years later during a disagreement over a movie.

    When Part One ended I was struck most by a feeling of "what if?". What if Irving Thalberg hadn't died at just 37? Where would he have taken MGM and what kind of movies would he have given us? I also wonder what Norma Shearer performances we missed out on due to his death (she left Hollywood six years after he died).

    Part Two.

    I felt that Part Two wasn't quite up to the standard set by part one. Most notably, part two includes a Hollywood myth that has been debunked: that Jean Harlow died because her mother refused to allow her treatment for uremic poisoning. The fact is that Harlow would have died regardless of when she saw a doctor due to the limitations of medicine in the 1930's.

    Part Two also details the rising stars of Clark Gable (and his subsequent tragedy when his wife Carole Lombard was killed in a plane crash), Lana Turner, Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Judy Garland and Hedy Lamarr. As with Part One, I loved the interviews with people from that era and how they enhanced the story. Mickey Rooney's recollections of Garland were particularly touching.

    Another highlight of Part Two was the small segment on Luise Rainer. I had never heard of her, but she is the first person to win back to back Oscars. And then she walked away from it all due to the constraints of the studio system. Just hearing this story would have been wonderful, but having it told by Rainer herself brings this film to a whole new level.

    Part Two ends with a sense of foreboding (brought on by the narrator, Patrick Stewart): Storm clouds are swirling off in the distance. Could the happy days at MGM be coming to an end?

    Part Three.

    Part Three begins in the heyday of MGM's legendary musicals and they cover the best of the best in detail: Singin' In The Rain, An American In Paris and Gigi. There are numerous interviews with Vincente Minnelli and he talks about his movies and about Judy Garland. As with all of the interviews in this film, I love hearing his insights and opinion.

    Part Three seemed to contain more interviews than the other two parts of this movie. (I have no idea if this is true, it was just my impression.) Besides recalling specific movies, many of the interviewees talked about Louis B. Mayer. These opinions confirmed what I already suspected: people either loved or hated the man; he was either a wonderful father figure or an evil manipulator.

    After the musical era, MGM began its slow decline. I knew the rough facts of how and why this happened, but I had never heard the gory details. As a lover of classic movies, I found the last hour or so of this film to be very melancholy. The golden age of Hollywood had to end, but it was still sad to watch it unfold on the screen.

    Summary.

    The absolute highlight of this movie was all of the interviews. Besides actors, we hear from directors, producers, writers, film editors, studio executives and contract dancers. These are the people who were there during the golden era of MGM and having their remembrances on film is truly priceless.

    I almost didn't watch MGM: When The Lion Roars because it's six hours long and I doubted that anything could hold my attention for that long. I am so glad I took the time to watch all three parts of this movie. It was well worth it. Not only did I learn a lot, but it was very entertaining. I saw clips from many of my favorite movies and the clips from movies I haven't seen left me with a list of movies that I want to see.

    Bottom line: if you love classic movies, this is a must see.
    helpful•8
    0
    • mountainkath
    • Jan 29, 2009

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 22, 1992 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • MGM: Cuando el león ruge
    • Filming locations
      • Santa Clarita Studios - 25135 Anza Drive, Santa Clarita, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Point Blank Productions
      • Turner Pictures (I)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      6 hours
    • Color
      • Black and White
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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