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IMDbPro

MGM: When the Lion Roars

  • TV Mini Series
  • 19921992
  • UnratedUnrated
  • 6h
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
663
YOUR RATING
MGM: When the Lion Roars (1992)
Mgm Story: When The Lion Roars
Play trailer1:09
1 Video
3 Photos
Documentary
The history of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios.The history of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios.The history of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios.
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
663
YOUR RATING
  • Stars
    • Patrick Stewart
    • Samuel Marx
    • Mickey Rooney
  • Stars
    • Patrick Stewart
    • Samuel Marx
    • Mickey Rooney
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 17User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Primetime Emmy

    Episodes8

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated
    1992

    Videos1

    Mgm Story: When The Lion Roars
    Trailer 1:09
    Watch Mgm Story: When The Lion Roars

    Photos

    MGM: When the Lion Roars (1992)
    MGM: When the Lion Roars (1992)
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    Top cast

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    Patrick Stewart
    Patrick Stewart
    • Self - Host
    Samuel Marx
    • Self
    Mickey Rooney
    Mickey Rooney
    • Self
    Ricardo Montalban
    Ricardo Montalban
    • Self
    Roddy McDowall
    Roddy McDowall
    • Self
    Van Johnson
    Van Johnson
    • Self
    Freddie Bartholomew
    Freddie Bartholomew
    • Self
    Maureen O'Sullivan
    Maureen O'Sullivan
    • Self
    Jackie Cooper
    Jackie Cooper
    • Self
    June Allyson
    June Allyson
    • Self
    Lew Ayres
    Lew Ayres
    • Self
    Helen Hayes
    Helen Hayes
    • Self
    William Tuttle
    William Tuttle
    • Self
    Dorothy Tuttle
    • Self
    Dorothy Raye
    Dorothy Raye
    • Self
    George Gibson
    • Self
    Richard Chamberlain
    Richard Chamberlain
    • Self
    Charlton Heston
    Charlton Heston
    • Self
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      The working title for this series was originally "MGM: When the Lion Roared." The company operating as MGM as of 1992--which continues to exist--is not the legal successor to the "classic" MGM, which ceased to exist after Ted Turner bought and subsequently dismantled the studio in 1986, despite sharing similar assets such as the Leo the Lion logo. However, the new MGM thought the title was detrimental to its company and demanded the slight title change.
    • Crazy credits
      Following the last ending credit of "Part Three" is displayed the following dedication text: Dedicated to the memory of Samuel Marx and Freddie Bartholomew
    • Alternate versions
      Originally aired on TNT over 3 consecutive evenings in 3 parts, with the DVD set, the second part of the mini-series, "The Lion Reigns Supreme", is split into 2-parts, 1 on disc-1 (59 min), 2nd part on disc-2 (62 min).
    • Connections
      Featured in Hollywood Burn (2006)

    User reviews17

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    Very effective tribute to MGM's glory years and gradual "decline"
    When I first saw this on TNT back in 1992, I was disappointed. I thought there would be more background on Marcus Loew, Metro, Goldwyn and Louis Mayer's pre-1924 history. I was also (unjustly) critical of Patrick Stewart's hosting, the exclusion of certain favorite films, and the very limited coverage of Cedric Gibbons (not to mention many other MGM luminaries) and the short subject departments.

    However, time has been kind to this series. Watching it on DVD has been quite refreshing (even with the Astaire edits harped on by fans). Since '92, I've seen parts of the RKO series (and dying to see more!), enjoyed the 20th Century Fox's "First 50 Years" and its "Blockbuster" sequel (although these utilize too many film clips and not enough back-lot story) and was, once again, a bit disappointed with YOU MUST REMEMBER THIS (Warner Bros.). WHEN THE LION ROARS is as good of a film studio overview as you can get in three two-hour installments.

    For one thing, we get a lot more coverage of the Culver City lot than we ever get of the Burbank lot in YOU MUST REMEMBER THIS, despite (and perhaps because of) the fact that so much has been bulldozed to the ground. I visited Warner's twice on their tours and was surprised at how much of it is still intact. I can only imagine how great MGM (the surviving parts owned by Sony) would be today, had anyone listened to Debbie Reynold's suggestion of it being a "ready-made Disneyland".

    Although the glory lies in the classic film clips, much of its heart come from the interviews. Margaret Booth's comment that "we never made bad pictures" emphasizes how the art of film editing kept MGM the top dog of the business. Samuel Marx's observation of Louis Mayer crying during LASSIE COME HOME (produced by future adversary Dore Shary) speaks volumes... even if Mayer was the best "actor" of the studio. Earlier footage of Lillian Gish, King Vidor and Eleanor Boardman are cleverly utilized from the BBC's 12-year old Hollywood series in Part 1's coverage of the silent years.

    I once thought Patrick Stewart's narration and dramatic introductions a little too... shall we say?... "hammy". Today, they serve as a pleasing initiation into the "make believe" factory. His walk in front of a screen showing 1925's BEN HUR chariot race is as equally effective as any of the interviews; it demonstrates how thin the line between industry "product" and fantasy was during Hollywood's Golden Age.
    helpful•8
    0
    • jlewis77-1
    • Mar 18, 2009

    Details

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    • Release date
      • March 22, 1992 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Santa Clarita Studios - 25135 Anza Drive, Santa Clarita, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Point Blank Productions
      • Turner Pictures (I)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 6 hours
      • Black and White
      • Color
      • Stereo

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