#marcus loew

[friendlessghoul]

Here's Buster Keaton telling Marcus Loew, head of the Metro Film Corporation, through which Keaton releases his comedies, to "keep off his own grass." Loew is trying to figure out just what the entire thing is about.

The Dramatic Mirror and Theater World - 1921

[busterkeatonsociety]

#TalkieTuesday Word up…

[busterkeatonsociety]

#ThrowbackThursday A 1923 article from Marcus Loew extolling the virtues of Metro Pictures upcoming movies.  Of course Buster Keaton gets a mention despite the notorious prank he played on Loew when he was in town.  

Buster was disguised as Roscoe Arbuckle’s chauffeur and when Roscoe offered a ride to the hotel, Loew accepted…but what a ride! Buster put pedal to the metal and took them on an insane detour through orange groves, up hills at breakneck speed then stalled the car.  On some railroad tracks.  Meticulously planned, the boys knew the train schedule and that the middle track would be a safe spot.  As trains hurtled by, Loew prayed the car would restart.  After some theatrics, it did, then they were haring off again before almost crashing into their destination.  Loew practically ran to his room.  

When Buster, now out of his disguise, and Roscoe knocked on his door they found him shaking, knocking back the whisky!  The irony was Loew had scoffed he would never be so foolish as to fall for one of their tricks after hearing about the disastrous waiter stunt they pulled on Adolph Zukor…but that’s another story…

[citizenscreen]

Adolph Zukor and Marcus Loew in 1923. They went on to do big things.

[citizenscreen]

Partners and future in-laws, Adolph Zukor and Marcus Loew in 1923

[onceuponatown]

Loew's Lincoln Square Theatre in New York , 1910.

Marcus Loew was born into a poor Polish Jewish family who had emigrated to the U.S. and settled in New York City just a year before. He was forced by circumstances to work at a very young age and had little formal education. Nevertheless, beginning with a small investment from money saved from menial jobs, he bought into the penny arcade business. Shortly after, in partnership with Adolph Zukor and others, Loew acquired a nickelodeon and over time he turned Loew's Theatres into a leading chain of vaudeville and movie theaters in the United States. He later went on to form Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).

[theatretalks]

Loew’s State Theatre, 703 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Billboard, November 12, 1921:

"Marcus Loew arrived in Los Angeles last Friday for the opening of his news playhouse, Loew's State Theater. He was met by Joseph Engel, local head of the Metro Studios and Sam Harris, his West Coast represetatives, and Nat Holt, manager of the new theater. With Mr. Loew were his wife, Sid Grauman, a friend of long standing who returned from a month's stay in the East, and representatives of the Loew Eastern organization.

"The opening of the theater, which had been tentatively set for November 7, has been postponed because of the requirements of the corps of decorators who are now working in double shifts to prepare the beautiful new house for the audience of first-nighters. it is certain, however, that the opening will take place some time within the next two weeks.

"Loew's State and twelve-story office building were erected at a total cost of $1,000,000. The theater itself, including equipment, costing $1,500,000." 

Loew's State opened November 12, 1921 with vaudeville and Bert Lytell starring in MGM's A Trip to Paradise (based on Molnar's Liliom). 

Exhibitors Trade Review,  December 3, 1921

"The theatre was christened by Viola Dane with a bottle of real champagne broken over the facade of the building on the opening night. Of the 2,800 seats, one thousand were sold to the public at a box office sale which started Thursday, Nov. 10, at 10 o'clock and closed at noon the same day."   

For more on Loew's State:

Historic Los Angeles Theatres

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Postcard part of the Theatre Talks collection. Please ask permission to use.

Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, chosen 2010 Best Book of the Year by the Theatre Historical Society.