Today In History; MGM Formed

On this day in 1924, Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures, and the Louis B. Mayer Company merge to form Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, or MGM. The group was owned by Loew's Inc., a chain of theaters run by Marcus Loew. By the early 1930s, MGM was the most prestigious, glamorous, and financially successful studio in Hollywood, maintaining a stable of stars that included Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, James Stewart, and Elizabeth Taylor. The famous MGM logo, a roaring lion, debuted in 1928. The Latin phrase in the circle around the lion's head means "Art for art's sake." Classic MGM movies include The Wizard of Oz (1939), Singin' in the Rain (1952), Ben Hur (1959), and Dr. Zhivago (1965).