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Biography of Samuel GoldwynName: Samuel GoldwynBirth Date: August 17, 1882 Death Date: 1974 Place of Birth: Warsaw, Poland Nationality: Polish, American Gender: Male Occupations: producer, executive Samuel Goldwyn Polish-born American film producer Samuel Goldwyn (1882-1974) was notable among Hollywood executives for his belief that artistic aspirations need not conflict with commercial success.Samuel Goldwyn (original surname, Goldfish) was born in Warsaw on Aug. 17, 1882, ran away from home at the age of 9, and arrived in the United States 4 years later. He learned English in night school, supporting himself as a glove salesman.In 1913 Goldwyn joined vaudeville producer Jesse L. Lasky and theatrical director Cecil B. DeMille in forming the first feature motion picture company on the West Coast. Their initial production, The Squaw Man (1913), was an instant success, as was Carmen (1915). When Lasky and DeMille merged with another film producer in 1916, Goldwyn became an independent producer and distributor. In 1919 he was instrumental in importing the European masterpiece The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, which, despite its box office failure, helped establish Goldwyn's reputation.Among Goldwyn's early films were Jubilo (1919), a drama …showed first 150 words…
…showed last 150 words…Mitty (1947), Hans Christian Andersen (1952), and Guys and Dolls. His last film was Porgy and Bess (1959). His impact and influence on the movie industry was significant.Goldwyn was also known for his quick wit and humor. He was reported to have commented, "Pictures are for entertainment, messages should be delivered by Western Union." When asked about his autobiography, Goldwyn reportedly replied, "I don't think anybody should write his autobiography until after he's dead." Goldwyn died in 1974. Further Reading Goldwyn's Behind the Screen (1923) gives historical and autobiographical information. A well-written and entertaining biography is Alva Johnston, The Great Goldwyn (1937). Background information is in Richard Griffith and Arthur Mayer, The Movies: The Sixty-year Story of the World of Hollywood and Its Effect on America (1957), and Richard Schickel, Movies: The History of an Art and an Institution(1964). Arthur Marx chronicles the life of the famed film producer in Goldwyn: the Man Behind the Myth (1976). |