# Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

> American film and television and distribution company

**Wikidata**: [Q179200](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q179200)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/metro-goldwyn-mayer

## Summary
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) is an American film and television production and distribution company founded on April 17, 1924. It is one of the most iconic studios in Hollywood history, known for producing legendary films such as *The Wizard of Oz*, *Gone with the Wind*, and *Ben-Hur*, as well as its iconic lion logo. MGM has played a pivotal role in shaping the entertainment industry through its extensive catalog of films, television shows, and animated content.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: April 17, 1924
- **Headquarters**: Los Angeles, California, United States
- **Key Founders**: Marcus Loew, Louis B. Mayer
- **Predecessors**: Goldwyn Pictures, Metro Pictures, Louis B. Mayer Pictures Corporation
- **Owned by**: Amazon (via Amazon MGM Studios)
- **Notable Subsidiaries**: Orion Pictures, American International Pictures, MGM Television, United Artists
- **Iconic Films**: *The Wizard of Oz* (1939), *Gone with the Wind* (1939), *Ben-Hur* (1959), *2001: A Space Odyssey* (1968)
- **Notable TV Series**: *Stargate Universe*, *The Handmaid’s Tale* (via MGM Television)
- **Record Label**: MGM Records (defunct, founded 1946)
- **Animation Studio**: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer cartoon studio (founded 1937), known for *Tom and Jerry*
- **Awards**: Multiple Academy Awards, including an Academy Honorary Award
- **Affiliated Figures**: Joan Crawford, Chuck Jones, Tex Avery, Irving Thalberg, William Hanna
- **Recent Acquisitions**: Acquired by Amazon in 2021, now part of Amazon MGM Studios

## FAQs

**What is Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)?**
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) is a historic American film and television studio founded in 1924. It is renowned for producing some of the most iconic films in cinema history, including *The Wizard of Oz*, *Gone with the Wind*, and *Singin’ in the Rain*. MGM has also been a major player in television production and distribution.

**Who founded MGM?**
MGM was founded by Marcus Loew, a film pioneer and business magnate, and Louis B. Mayer, a Canadian-American film producer. The studio was formed through the merger of three companies: Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures, and Louis B. Mayer Pictures Corporation.

**What are some of MGM’s most famous films?**
MGM’s film library includes classics like *The Wizard of Oz* (1939), *Gone with the Wind* (1939), *Ben-Hur* (1959), *2001: A Space Odyssey* (1968), *Singin’ in the Rain* (1952), and *The Silence of the Lambs* (1991). The studio has also produced successful franchises like *James Bond* (via United Artists) and *Rocky*.

**What is MGM’s connection to animation?**
MGM operated a prominent animation studio, the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer cartoon studio, founded in 1937. It is best known for creating the *Tom and Jerry* series, which became one of the most famous animated franchises in history. The studio also produced other animated shorts, such as *Droopy* and *Barney Bear*.

**Who owns MGM today?**
MGM was acquired by Amazon in 2021 and is now operated as Amazon MGM Studios, a division of Amazon.com. This acquisition has integrated MGM’s vast library of films and television shows into Amazon’s streaming and production ecosystem.

**What subsidiaries does MGM have?**
MGM’s subsidiaries include Orion Pictures (founded 1978), American International Pictures (founded 1954), MGM Television (founded 1956), and United Artists (founded 1919). These subsidiaries have contributed to MGM’s diverse portfolio of films and television content.

**What awards has MGM won?**
MGM has received numerous awards, including multiple Academy Awards. The studio has also been recognized with an Academy Honorary Award, highlighting its significant contributions to the film industry.

**What is MGM’s role in the music industry?**
MGM Records was a record label founded by the studio in 1946. Although now defunct, it played a role in the music industry by releasing soundtracks and other recordings tied to MGM’s films and artists.

## Why It Matters
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer has been a cornerstone of the entertainment industry for nearly a century. Its contributions to cinema have shaped the art form, from the golden age of Hollywood to modern blockbusters. MGM’s films have not only entertained millions but have also set benchmarks in storytelling, visual effects, and musical integration. The studio’s iconic lion logo and slogan, *Ars Gratia Artis* ("Art for Art’s Sake"), symbolize its commitment to artistic excellence.

MGM’s influence extends beyond film. Its television division has produced critically acclaimed series, and its animation studio created beloved characters like Tom and Jerry, who remain cultural icons. The acquisition by Amazon ensures that MGM’s legacy will continue to evolve, blending its historic catalog with modern distribution platforms. MGM’s impact on global culture is immeasurable, making it one of the most important studios in entertainment history.

## Notable For
- **Iconic Films**: Producing some of the most celebrated films in history, including *The Wizard of Oz*, *Gone with the Wind*, and *Ben-Hur*.
- **Animation Legacy**: Creating the *Tom and Jerry* series, one of the most successful and enduring animated franchises.
- **Golden Age of Hollywood**: Playing a central role in the golden age of Hollywood, with stars like Judy Garland, Clark Gable, and Elizabeth Taylor.
- **Musicals and Sound**: Pioneering the integration of music and sound in films, with classics like *Singin’ in the Rain* and *An American in Paris*.
- **Acquisition by Amazon**: Being acquired by Amazon in 2021, ensuring its continued relevance in the digital age.
- **Diverse Portfolio**: Owning a vast library of films, television shows, and animated content, making it a key player in global entertainment.
- **Awards and Recognition**: Winning numerous Academy Awards and other prestigious honors for its contributions to cinema.

## Body

### History and Founding
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) was founded on April 17, 1924, through the merger of three major film companies: Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures, and Louis B. Mayer Pictures Corporation. The merger was orchestrated by Marcus Loew, a prominent film pioneer and business magnate, and Louis B. Mayer, a Canadian-American film producer. The new studio quickly became a powerhouse in Hollywood, known for its high-quality productions and star-studded films.

### Key Figures
- **Marcus Loew**: An American film pioneer and business magnate who played a crucial role in the founding of MGM. He was instrumental in merging the three companies that formed the studio.
- **Louis B. Mayer**: A Canadian-American film producer who became one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood. Mayer’s leadership helped shape MGM into a leading studio during the golden age of cinema.
- **Irving Thalberg**: Known as the "Boy Wonder" of Hollywood, Thalberg was a key producer at MGM, overseeing many of its most successful films during the 1920s and 1930s.
- **Joan Crawford**: One of MGM’s most famous actresses, Crawford starred in numerous films for the studio and became a symbol of Hollywood glamour.
- **Chuck Jones and Tex Avery**: Legendary animators who worked with MGM’s cartoon studio, creating iconic characters like *Tom and Jerry* and *Droopy*.

### Film Production and Legacy
MGM’s film library is one of the most extensive and influential in Hollywood history. The studio produced a wide range of genres, from epic dramas like *Ben-Hur* to musicals like *Singin’ in the Rain* and family classics like *The Wizard of Oz*. Some of its most notable films include:
- *Gone with the Wind* (1939)
- *The Wizard of Oz* (1939)
- *Ben-Hur* (1959)
- *2001: A Space Odyssey* (1968)
- *The Silence of the Lambs* (1991)
- *Rocky* (1976)

MGM’s films have won numerous Academy Awards, and the studio has been recognized with an Academy Honorary Award for its contributions to cinema.

### Animation Studio
MGM’s animation division, founded in 1937, was responsible for creating some of the most beloved animated characters in history. The studio’s most famous creation is *Tom and Jerry*, a series of shorts that became a cultural phenomenon. Other notable animated works include:
- *Droopy* series
- *Barney Bear* series
- *Tex Avery’s* surreal and comedic shorts

The animation studio’s work has had a lasting impact on the industry, influencing generations of animators and audiences.

### Television and Subsidiaries
MGM has also been a major player in television production. MGM Television, founded in 1956, has produced numerous successful series, including *Stargate Universe* and *The Handmaid’s Tale*. The studio’s subsidiaries include:
- **Orion Pictures**: Founded in 1978, known for films like *The Terminator* and *Amadeus*.
- **American International Pictures**: Founded in 1954, specializing in low-budget genre films.
- **United Artists**: Founded in 1919, known for producing films like the *James Bond* series and *Rocky*.

### Acquisition by Amazon
In 2021, MGM was acquired by Amazon, becoming part of Amazon MGM Studios. This acquisition has allowed Amazon to integrate MGM’s vast library of films and television shows into its streaming platform, Prime Video. The move ensures that MGM’s legacy will continue to thrive in the digital age, reaching new audiences worldwide.

### Awards and Recognition
MGM has received numerous awards throughout its history, including multiple Academy Awards. The studio’s films and contributions to cinema have been celebrated with an Academy Honorary Award, highlighting its enduring impact on the entertainment industry.

### Related Projects and Affiliations
MGM has been affiliated with numerous notable figures in the entertainment industry, including:
- **William Hanna and Joseph Barbera**: Creators of *Tom and Jerry* and founders of Hanna-Barbera Productions.
- **Douglas Shearer**: A pioneering sound designer who worked on many of MGM’s classic films.
- **Dorothy Arzner**: One of the few female directors in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s.

The studio’s influence extends to music, with MGM Records releasing soundtracks and other recordings tied to its films. Although the record label is now defunct, it played a role in the music industry during its operation.

### Cultural Impact
MGM’s cultural impact is immeasurable. Its films have shaped the way stories are told on screen, and its iconic lion logo is recognized worldwide. The studio’s commitment to artistic excellence, as reflected in its slogan *Ars Gratia Artis* ("Art for Art’s Sake"), has set a standard for the entertainment industry. From the golden age of Hollywood to the modern era, MGM’s legacy continues to inspire and entertain audiences around the globe.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Czech National Authority Database
5. MusicBrainz
6. Global LEI Index
7. [MGM - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf5CjDJvsFvtVIhkfmKAwAA)
8. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
9. YouTube API