Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios

The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production and biography photographs span the years 1921–1973 (bulk 1925–1973) and encompass 737 linear feet consisting of approximately one million prints. The photographs are grouped into motion picture production photographs and biography photographs.

The motion picture production photographs span the years 1921–1973 and encompass 516 linear feet. They are further subdivided into feature films and short films. The feature films span the years 1921–1973 and encompass 221 linear feet, consisting of production photographs from 1,665 motion pictures. The material is arranged alphabetically by film title. Most of the photographs were removed from key books and consist of scene as well as off-camera photographs showing various aspects of the production in progress. Also included are portraits of players in character and costume for their roles, as well as general publicity shots. Nearly all of the films were distributed by Metro-Goldwyn (1924–1925) or Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (1925–1973); a few pre-1924 films were released by Metro, Goldwyn, or Goldwyn-Cosmopolitan. A typical file contains 200 to 300 prints, although many files are much larger. The short films span the years 1927–1958 and consist of production photographs from 1,322 motion pictures. The material is arranged alphabetically by film title. Most of the photographs were removed from key books and consist of scene as well as occasional off-camera photographs, portraits of players in character and costume for their roles, and general publicity shots. The MGM-distributed shorts include those produced by MGM, those produced by Hal Roach between 1927 and 1937, and a small number of shorts produced independently. Most of the MGM shorts were released as parts of various ongoing series, including travelogues and animated cartoons. At least 50 of these series are represented, with familiar names such as James FitzPatrick, Hal Roach, Pete Smith Specialties and, beginning in 1938, MGM Cartoons. A typical file contains 10 to 40 prints, whereas an animated cartoon is usually represented by 6 to 10.

The biography photographs span the years 1923–1972 and consist of portrait, candid, and general publicity photographs (not relating to specific productions) in 2,328 files. They are filed alphabetically by personal name. Included are actors and actresses, directors, writers, composers, executives, cinematographers, producers, editors, and other motion picture craftspersons. Most of the individuals included were employed by or under contract to MGM at the time the photographs were taken. Files on performers, particularly lead actresses, tend to be more substantial. Those well represented, often by several hundred prints, are June Allyson, Wallace Beery, Cyd Charisse, Joan Crawford, Marion Davies, Laraine Day, Nelson Eddy, Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, Ava Gardner, Judy Garland, Jean Harlow, Gene Kelly, Deborah Kerr, Myrna Loy, Jeanette MacDonald, Robert Montgomery, Ramon Novarro, Maureen O’Sullivan, Eleanor Powell, Jane Powell, Donna Reed, Debbie Reynolds, Mickey Rooney, Ann Rutherford, Norma Shearer, Red Skelton, Ann Sothern, James Stewart, Elizabeth Taylor, Spencer Tracy, Lana Turner, Johnny Weissmuller, Esther Williams, and Robert Young. Files on non-performers tend to be smaller, sometimes containing only a few prints.

Gift of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc., 1979.