MGM: When the Lion Roars

I am an avid movie fan and pretty much like all the studios, per se. But the treasure of them all is the MGM studio. It is very near and dear to my heart and I am deeply saddened that MGM is no longer around. The original MGM lion lies in an unmarked grave in NJ when it really should be enshrined as the one that adorns MGM Las Vegas.

Most of the stars in front of the camera as well as behind the camera are also gone. That makes this trilogy so bitter sweet to watch. "More Stars Than There Are In The Heavens" was its motto and these films bring back the golden era of movies to us once more. An absolute must for any film buff to own.

After all these years I still remember this documentary vividly. I haven't seen it since it originally aired on TV in 1992 - and boy was I disappointed when I found out I couldn't borrow it from my local library, because some jerk had stolen the videotapes! I think that just proves this mini-series should be made available on DVD, eh? There's obviously great demand for it.

"When The Lion Roars" was fascinating and made me want to see all of MGM's classic films (so the documentary achieved it's goal!). Warner Bros owns MGM's films now (and this mini-series) and I suspect they're not doing all they can to keep MGM's history alive - they're much more inclined to release their own Warner films on DVD, it seems to me!

Anyway, I'm just dying to watch "When The Lion Roars" again - it would be even more interesting now that I'm older and would recognize more of the film clips and people being interviewed! But the fact that a clueless youngster like I was, still found it so entertaining and memorable, certainly says a lot about the quality of this documentary... and the quality of MGM's classic movie legacy.

The meteoric rise (and lamentable fall) of, perhaps, the most legendary Hollywood movie studio is documented here, in a dazzling three-part mini-series as lavishly designed as the best of the MGM films themselves. Pure gold for movie buffs (and as easily accessible to the average viewer); "When the Lion Roars" combines a grippingly-told account of MGM's history, rich with tons of vintage film clips, interviews with studio stars, and a fascinating look at such legendary figures as L.B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg - all ably hosted by Patrick Stewart, who is clearly enjoying himself throughout.

And well he should be. There are scores of documentaries out there about Hollywood's Golden Age, but none even REMOTELY approaching the quality and craftsmanship of "When the Lion Roars". This is quite possibly one of the finest documentaries ever made. It has been released on video and, though not the easiest thing to find after seven years, is well worth the search.

This documentary was made back in 1992, and does a very good job of detailing the history of MGM. Part one starts in 1924 with the opening of the studio in 1924 and and ends with the death of wonder boy Irving G. Thalberg in 1936. Part two concentrates on what are considered "the golden years" from 1936 to 1946. Part three is about the decline of the studio after 1946. Patrick Stewart narrates, and there are some particularly interesting although not surprising revelations, such as Helen Hayes describing studio head Louis B. As a gentle yet evil person.

I guess I enjoyed part one the most because I really disagree about 1936-1946 being MGM's peak years. I think they were at their best from 1924 up to shortly after the death of Irving Thalberg. His foresight and creativity are what fueled the silent film and early sound projects that really put the studio on the map. At any rate, if you enjoyed the much shorter "Universal Horror" documentary on the Carl Laemmle years of Universal Studios, you'll enjoy this one too. Highly recommended.

"MGM: When the Lion Roars" is a 1992 documentary hosted by Patrick Stewart. Shown in three parts on Turner Classic Movies, it tells the story of the monolithic studio from its beginnings, taking us through the influence of the great Irving Thalberg, after his death, during World War II, after the war, the growth of television, and MGM's eventual demise.

All of the studios had a particular look to their films and a strong point of view. MGM was known for its huge array of stars, its opulence, its classy musicals, and its family entertainment, especially under the aegis of Louis B. Mayer. Even its "B" movies, such as Dr. Kildare, had "A" movie quality.

The studio's main problem was its lack of foresight and lack of awareness that the audience changed over time. The belief was that television was a fad, for instance - major error. And all the studios suffered when the courts broke up studio ownership of the movie theaters.

The documentary is highly entertaining, filled with interviews, scenes, and musical numbers. Stewart voices the incorrect information that Jean Harlow died because her mother's religion didn't allow her to have treatment. Jean Harlow died of kidney disease, for which there was no cure, no transplant, no dialysis. She had plenty of medical attention, but there was nothing anyone could do once she developed the disease.

Very enjoyable and well worth seeing.