The foundation of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer began with the small savings of a New York City immigrant who turned penny arcades into a massive entertainment empire. Marcus Loew, born in 1870, navigated the evolving landscape of 20th-century commerce by transforming early nickelodeons into a dominant chain of vaudeville and movie theaters across the United States.
Early Business Ventures
Raised in a poor family that emigrated from Austria and Germany, Loew entered the workforce at a young age with minimal formal education. He utilized modest savings from menial jobs to invest in the penny arcade business. In partnership with individuals including Adolph Zukor, he founded the Automatic Vaudeville Company. Following the dissolution of this firm in 1904, Loew shifted his focus to the burgeoning nickelodeon market.
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By 1905, Loew managed his own operations, eventually establishing the People's Vaudeville Company in 1904 to provide a steady supply of films for his venues. This entity later became Loew's Consolidated Enterprises, supported by associates Nicholas Schenck and Joseph Schenck. By 1913, his portfolio included numerous New York venues such as the American Music Hall, the Broadway Theatre, and the Herald Square Theatre, alongside locations in Washington, D.C., Boston, and the Metropolitan Opera House in Philadelphia.
The Creation of MGM
To secure a reliable film source, Loew purchased Metro Pictures Corporation in 1920. He later acquired a controlling interest in the Goldwyn Picture Corporation. In 1924, he finalized a deal to merge these assets, recruiting Louis B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg to manage the new production entity. This strategic consolidation resulted in Metro-Goldwyn Pictures, with Loew's Inc. retaining long-term financial control while utilizing the 'Leo the Lion' trademark.
Final Years
Loew died in 1927 at the age of 57 following a heart attack at his country home in Glen Cove, New York. He was interred at Maimonides Cemetery. In addition to a legacy of industry expansion, he is commemorated with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located at 1617 Vine Street.
Fast facts
- Born: 1870, New York City
- Died: 1927, Glen Cove
- Primary Industry: Film and Vaudeville
- Key Company: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Burial Site: Maimonides Cemetery
- Hollywood Walk of Fame Location: 1617 Vine Street
Questions readers ask
Was E. M. Loew related to Marcus Loew?
No, despite frequent assumptions, they were not even distantly related.
Why did Marcus Loew acquire the Goldwyn Picture Corporation?
He sought a central managerial command for his film production needs and required the studio property in Culver City, California.
Achievements
- Affiliated with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
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