"MGM: When the Lion Roars" (1992) TV mini-series

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Frank Martin

Writer:

Frank Martin (writer)

Release Date:

22 March 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot:

The history of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios.

Plot Keywords:

TV Mini-Series | Company History | Movie Studio | Hollywood | Film Making

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Patrick Stewart	...	Narrator
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lew Ayres	...	Himself
Joseph Barbera	...	Himself (interviewed)
Freddie Bartholomew	...	Himself (interviewed)
Ernest Borgnine	...	Himself (interviewed)
Richard Brooks	...	Himself
Joan Crawford	...	Herself (archive footage)
Stanley Donen	...	Himself (interviewed)
Clark Gable	...	Himself (archive footage)
Judy Garland	...	Herself (archive footage)
William Hanna	...	Himself (interviewed)
Jean Harlow	...	Herself (archive footage)
Helen Hayes	...	Herself (interviewed)
Katharine Hepburn	...	(archive footage)
Van Johnson	...	Himself (interviewed)
Gene Kelly	...	Himself (archive footage)
Myrna Loy	...	Herself (archive footage)
Samuel Marx	...	Himself
Louis B. Mayer	...	Himself (archive footage)
Roddy McDowall	...	Himself
Luise Rainer	...	Herself
Mickey Rooney	...	Himself (interviewed)
Dore Schary	...	Himself (archive footage)
Norma Shearer	...	(archive footage)
Elizabeth Taylor	...	Herself (archive footage)
Irving Thalberg	...	Himself (archive footage)
Spencer Tracy	...	Himself (archive footage)
Esther Williams	...	Herself (interviewed)

Runtime:

360 min | 366 min (TCM print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Company:

Point Blank Productions

Trivia:

The on-screen subtitles (and running times taken from the TCM print) for the three individual parts are: "Part One: The Lion's Roar" (02:02:06) "Part Two: The Lion Reigns Supreme" (02:01:00) "Part Three: The Lion in Winter" (02:02:24)

Movie Connections:

Features Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940)

Outstanding Documentary

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.