A tribute to producer Irving Thalberg.A tribute to producer Irving Thalberg.A tribute to producer Irving Thalberg.
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- TriviaMGM superstars Marion Davies and William Haines are not even mentioned.
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Narrator: Thalberg's name stands as a benchmark of how a producer can not only shape a motion picture, but, actors, directors, and an entire era of Hollywood, as well. A man who never put his name on a film; yet, was christened the architect of the motion picture industry. Whose unprecedented prowess and talent are still spoken of today - more than 60 years after his death. Irving Thalberg - simply, has no equal.
- ConnectionsFeatures Foolish Wives (1922)
Featured review
Marion Davies and William Haines Among the Missing
Vapid bio of Irving Thalberg and Norma Shearer as a power couple at MGM in the 1920s and 30s.
Thalberg is certainly an interesting topic for a documentary, but if the filmmakers were going to spend so much time on the the stars he helped create: Jean Harlow, Joan Crawford, John Gilbert, Clark Gable, Robert Montgomery, Marie Dressler, Greta Garbo, Wallace Beery, Lon Chaney, Ramon Novarro, plus Shearer and the Marx Brothers, why on earth would they skip Marion Davies and William Haines, two of MGM's top stars of the era?
The documentary continues the "cancel culture" (even before it was named) of trying to wipe out the significant careers of these two stars. They are consistently omitted from books and documentaries about this time in Hollywood.
While much time is spent on Thalberg and Louis B. Mayer and the rise of MGM, it's idiotic to omit Marion Davies. Davies was a major star of the silent era and a major catch when she signed with MGM in 1925. Davies, along with William Randolph Hearst, were instrumental in making MGM a major studio. Davies was a star long before Shearer or Crawford and brought a lot of name recognition to MGM's new stable of stars. Hearst brought money and his massive media empire to hawk MGM movies and stars.
Haines was an MGM star from 1926 on and was a bigger box office draw than John Gilbert or Ramon Novarro. His BROWN OF HARVARD and TELL IT TO THE MARINES were among the biggest hits of the decade. Haines was actually the #1 male box office star in the early 1930s. Haines is neither mentioned nor shown in the clips.
Marion Davies is shown several times in this documentary but she's never mentioned. Even the bit on San Simeon, which shows Thalberg clowning in home movies, mentions Hearst but does not mention Davies ... even when discussing the lavish, legendary parties she gave.
These two power couples, Shearer and Thalberg, Davies and Hearst, were the very core of MGM's power in the 1920a and early 1930s.
Thalberg is a worthy figure for a documentary, but he also deserves better than this pale Turner Entertainment entry.
Thalberg is certainly an interesting topic for a documentary, but if the filmmakers were going to spend so much time on the the stars he helped create: Jean Harlow, Joan Crawford, John Gilbert, Clark Gable, Robert Montgomery, Marie Dressler, Greta Garbo, Wallace Beery, Lon Chaney, Ramon Novarro, plus Shearer and the Marx Brothers, why on earth would they skip Marion Davies and William Haines, two of MGM's top stars of the era?
The documentary continues the "cancel culture" (even before it was named) of trying to wipe out the significant careers of these two stars. They are consistently omitted from books and documentaries about this time in Hollywood.
While much time is spent on Thalberg and Louis B. Mayer and the rise of MGM, it's idiotic to omit Marion Davies. Davies was a major star of the silent era and a major catch when she signed with MGM in 1925. Davies, along with William Randolph Hearst, were instrumental in making MGM a major studio. Davies was a star long before Shearer or Crawford and brought a lot of name recognition to MGM's new stable of stars. Hearst brought money and his massive media empire to hawk MGM movies and stars.
Haines was an MGM star from 1926 on and was a bigger box office draw than John Gilbert or Ramon Novarro. His BROWN OF HARVARD and TELL IT TO THE MARINES were among the biggest hits of the decade. Haines was actually the #1 male box office star in the early 1930s. Haines is neither mentioned nor shown in the clips.
Marion Davies is shown several times in this documentary but she's never mentioned. Even the bit on San Simeon, which shows Thalberg clowning in home movies, mentions Hearst but does not mention Davies ... even when discussing the lavish, legendary parties she gave.
These two power couples, Shearer and Thalberg, Davies and Hearst, were the very core of MGM's power in the 1920a and early 1930s.
Thalberg is a worthy figure for a documentary, but he also deserves better than this pale Turner Entertainment entry.
helpful•47
- drednm
- Feb 18, 2021
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- Runtime1 hour 15 minutes
- Color
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What is the Spanish language plot outline for Irving Thalberg: Prince of Hollywood (2005)?
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