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The History of the Twentieth Century

Frankly, My Dear

·40 min·4 clips
Irving Thalberg, born with a fatal heart condition, became general manager of Universal Pictures at just 20 years old.
The episode begins by announcing it as the finale of a series on Hollywood in the 1930s and 40s, focusing on MGM. It details the studio's formation through mergers involving Louis B. Mayer, Samuel Goldwyn, and Marcus Loew. The origin of the MGM lion logo and motto 'Ars Gratia Artis' is explained. The story then shifts to Irving Thalberg, born with blue baby syndrome, who became Universal's general manager at age 20. Thalberg moved to MGM as production chief, where he salvaged the troubled Ben-Hur film, making it the most expensive silent movie. He championed films like Hallelujah, an all-African-American musical, and recruited stars like Greta Garbo and Clark Gable. Thalberg turned down Gone with the Wind, believing Civil War films weren't profitable. After his death at 37, the episode explores Margaret Mitchell's novel Gone with the Wind, criticizing its revisionist history and romanticized portrayal of slavery. The film adaptation's production is covered, including David O. Selznick securing rights, the nationwide search for Scarlett O'Hara, and casting Vivian Leigh and Clark Gable. Director George Cukor was replaced by Victor Fleming, who was taken off The Wizard of Oz. The film's premiere in Atlanta excluded Hattie McDaniel due to segregation laws. Gone with the Wind became the highest-grossing film ever adjusted for inflation and won eight Academy Awards, including McDaniel's historic win. The episode concludes by noting the film's enduring spectacle but flawed historical accuracy.

As heard by us

MGM's rise becomes a sharp, humane look at how Hollywood power was built through hustle, mergers, and studio making.

MGM's rise comes across as a merger story about how studio power was assembled: a poor immigrant's climb, a theater chain, and a move from scrap metal to studio command. The account follows Louis B.

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Why you'd press play

Follow MGM from scrap metal to studio royalty.

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