Marcus Loew

Marcus Loew (May 7, 1870–September 5, 1927) was an American business magnate and a pioneer of the motion picture industry who formed Loews Theatres and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, MGM.

Related Topics:
May 7 - 1870 - September 5 - 1927 - American - Motion picture - Loews Theatres - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

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Born into a poor Jewish family in New York City, circumstances dictated he go to work at a very young age; as such, he had little formal education. Nevertheless, beginning with a small investment from money saved from menial jobs, he bought into the penny arcade business. Soon, in partnership with others, one of whom was Adolph Zukor, Loew acquired a nickelodeon and over time he turned Loews Theatres into the largest chain of movie theaters in the United States.

Related Topics:
Jew - New York City - Penny arcade - Adolph Zukor - Nickelodeon - Movie theater

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By 1905, Marcus Loew was on his own and his success eventually necessitated that he secure a steady flow of product for his theaters. In the early 1920s, he purchased Metro Pictures Corporation. A few years later, he acquired a controlling interest in the financially troubled Goldwyn Picture Corporation which at that point was controlled by theater impresario Lee Shubert. Goldwyn Pictures owned the "Leo the Lion" trademark which at the time was inconsequential to the importance of its studio property in Culver City, California. Without Samuel Goldwyn, the Goldwyn studio lacked capable management. With Loew's assistant Nicholas Schenck needed in New York City to help manage the large East Coast movie theater operations, Loew had to find a qualified executive to take charge of this new Los Angeles entity.

Related Topics:
1905 - Metro Pictures Corporation - Goldwyn Picture Corporation - Lee Shubert - Culver City, California - Samuel Goldwyn - Nicholas Schenck - East Coast - Los Angeles

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In April 1924, Loew resolved his problem with the purchase of the film production company owned by Louis B. Mayer. The new conglomerate became known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. As part of the deal, the very capable Mayer became studio head for the three combined Hollywood entities, and Mayer's assistant Irving Thalberg took charge of film production. In addition, the acquisition brought Mayer Pictures' contracts with key directors such as Fred Niblo and John M. Stahl and up-and-coming actress, Norma Shearer.

Related Topics:
1924 - Louis B. Mayer - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer - Hollywood - Irving Thalberg - Director - Fred Niblo - John M. Stahl - Norma Shearer

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While immediately successful, Marcus Loew never got to see the powerhouse that MGM was to become. He died three years later of a heart attack at the age of fifty-seven in Glen Cove on Long Island, New York. He was interred in the Maimonides Cemetery in Brooklyn.

Related Topics:
Heart attack - Glen Cove - Long Island, New York - Brooklyn

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For his very significant contribution to the development of the motion picture industry, Marcus Loew has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1617 Vine Street. To this day, the Loew name is synonymous with movie theaters.

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