The MGM lion roars into its 80th year

21-Apr-2004 • Bond News

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is roaring into its 80th year, and Variety have compiled a history of the Bond movie studio.

1924

MGM was formed when Louis B. Mayer Pictures, Samuel Goldwyn's Goldwyn Pictures and Metro Pictures merged under the financial aegis of exhibitor Marcus Loews' exhibition empire.

Mayer was appointed as Loews' VP-general manager and headed all studio operations. He recruited Irving Thalberg to be his right-hand man; the 24-year-old "Boy Wonder'' quickly assumed the mantle of production chief.

MGM released its first film, the Lon Chaney drama "He Who Gets Slapped."

1981

MGM acquires United Artists (recently devastated by Michael Cimino's megabucks flop "Heaven's Gate") from Transamerica Corp. for $380 million. As part of the deal, the Lion acquires the flourishing "Rocky" and James Bond franchises, as well as the sagging "Pink Panther" tentpole. MGM also acquires the pre-1950 Warner Bros. library in UA's stable, and gets back its own music publishing biz, which it sold to UA in 1973.

The overseas distrib CIC is dissolved, and MGM joins Universal and Paramount in creating international distribbery United Intl. Pictures (UIP).

UA continues as a wholly owned subsidiary, headed by Begelman, while MGM accelerates production under chief Freddie Fields.

1995

After a six-year hiatus, Bond is back. "GoldenEye," starring Pierce Brosnan as 007, eventually would surpass "Goldfinger" as the highest-grossing James Bond pic, with a gross of more than $150 million worldwide. "Species" and "Get Shorty" also swell the Lion's coffers and "Leaving Las Vegas" wins crix' kudos and an Oscar for star Nicolas Cage.

2002

The 20th James Bond film, "Die Another Day," breaks all existing Bond records in worldwide B.O., surging north of $400 million.

Click here for the complete timeline on Yahoo News.

Thanks to `R` for the alert.