The 50 MGM Films that Transformed Hollywood: Triumphs, Blockbusters, and Fiascos

This book explores the films that changed the trajectory of MGM and the film industry, including the revolutionary use of "Cinerama" in How the West Was Won, Alfred Hitchcock's near-extortion of the profits from North by Northwest, and the studios on-screen self-shoutouts to its past. It also discusses the studios acquisition of other successful franchises, such as James Bond.

Format: Hardback
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 01 January 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Movies are not isolated entities. Each MGM film is a tiny piece of a vast and colorful (although often black and white) quilt, interconnected with threads that bind it to all of the studio's future productions, as well as its past and present. This book explores the films that, for one reason or another (and not all of them positive), altered the course of MGM and the film industry as a whole. From the revolutionary use of "Cinerama" in the 1962 film How the West Was Won to Director Alfred Hitchcock's near-extortion of the profits from the 1959 hit thriller North by Northwest, these films played a significant role in shaping MGM's legacy.

In addition to these industry-defining moments, MGM also made on-screen self-shoutouts to its past, its stars, and its successful franchises. Examples include films like Party Girl (1958), the That's Entertainment series, Garbo Talks (1984), Rain Man (1955), and De-Lovely (2004), as well as the studio's acquisition of other popular franchises such as James Bond.

However, fear not, as MGM's classic films receive their due attention here, often with a touch of irony or fascinating anecdote. For instance, Singin' in the Rain (1952) was not a financial blockbuster or critically acclaimed in its day, but rather a way for the studio to reuse some old songs that it already owned. On the other hand, The Wizard of Oz (1939) cost almost as much to make as Gone with the Wind (also 1939), and it took ten years for the film to recoup its costs. Nevertheless, the MGM mystique endures, much like the popular Netflix series "The Movies That Made Us." This book offers a fascinating look behind the scenes of the greatest and most notorious films ever made, providing a deeper understanding of the studio's contributions to the film industry.

Weight: 1129g
Dimension: 257 x 186 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781493067008