Moguls, Michael Benson
Moguls, Michael Benson
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Moguls
The Lives and Times of Hollywood Film Pioneers Nicholas and Joseph Schenck

Author: Michael Benson, Craig Singer

Narrator: Stephen Bowlby

Unabridged: 10 hr 46 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 09/24/2024


Synopsis

Groundbreaking pioneers of the Hollywood Dream Factory, Joseph and Nicholas Schenck may not have been household names like the Warner brothers or Louis B. Mayer, but they were infinitely more powerful, influential—and ruthless. A pair of Russian immigrants with giant ambitions, the Schencks turned their small nickelodeon business in New York's Bowery into a partnership with Loew's movie theaters and a controlling interest in three major studios: MGM, 20th Century Fox, and United Artists. They painted the silver screen silver, laid the foundations for the all-powerful studio system, and ruled a global movie empire from their Gatsby-sized mansions on the East and West coasts. The Schencks had become moguls.

Their story is the stuff of legends—and their scandals are among the greatest stories Hollywood never told. This riveting, behind-the-scenes account reveals many surprising truths.

From the earliest days of silent films and the swinging era of the Roaring Twenties, through the Golden Age of the studio system and the patriotic call of WWII, to the Red Scare paranoia of the McCarthy years, the history of the Schenck brothers is the story of Hollywood itself—and the enduring power of the American Dream. Moguls is a must-listen for film fans, history buffs, and anyone who loves the movies.

About Michael Benson

Michael Benson is the author of more than sixty books, including the nonfiction history and crime titles Gangsters vs Nazis, Betrayal in Blood, Killer Twins, Mommy Deadliest, Who's Who in the JFK Assassination, and The Devil at Genesee Junction. He is the coauthor, along with Frank Dimatteo, of the acclaimed American Mafia history books Carmine the Snake, Mafia Hit Man, and Lord High Executioner. He regularly appears on ID: Investigation Discovery channel and is the recipient of the Academy of American Poets Award. Benson lives in New York.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Daniel on October 23, 2024

I wanted new looks at history, and I get by the bucket-load in this knockout book. Never mind who you might think was behind the early days of Hollywood, because it was actually down to two immigrant brothers that time has now forgotten...which seems insane, considering just how much power they wiel......more

Goodreads review by Mark on November 03, 2024

The information on the Schenck brothers MAY be accurate, but the authors understanding of Hollywood history is lacking. To cite specific errors: Joe Schenck was Buster Keaton's producer in the 1920s. The book states that Schenck transferred Keaton to MGM after The General (1926), but in fact it was......more

Goodreads review by Vladimir on September 27, 2024

I'm kind of a sucker for old Hollywood stories, especially gossipy ones, and this book delivers! I'm not saying that this book should be considered gossipy, this is brilliant collection of true information. But you have to admit that speculations about "casting couch" mixed with facts about Marilyn......more

Goodreads review by Malcolm Davis on May 04, 2025

I was very much looking forward to reading this book,so it came as a big disappointment.I found the writing style not to my taste.Lots of imagined dialogue and the excruciating imagined scenes. It was even more disappointing to see the number of errors.In addition to those already mentioned Earners n......more

Goodreads review by RedReviews4You on May 14, 2025

What a wonderful look behind the Silver Screen of classic Hollywood and see what happened from the Studio's side. So often a film goer only imagines the final product or the role of the director or.actors. But Benson invited me into a new world and truly expanded my ability to wonder about the histo......more