Samuel Goldwyn

Polish-American film producer (1882–1974)

Samuel Goldwyn (August 27, 1882 (claimed but most likely July 1879) – January 31, 1974) was a Polish-American movie producer who made a lot of movies in America.

Early life

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He was born in Warsaw, Poland. His parents died when he was young. He first moved to London, then New York. In New York he worked in a glove factory, then as a glove salesman. After this, he helped his brother-in-law to make movies.

Companies

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Trailer from one of Goldwyn's movies

He started the Goldwyn Pictures Corporation in 1917. This became part of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1924.

Movies

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Some of his famous movies are Wuthering Heights (1939), The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) and Porgy and Bess (1959).

Goldwynisms

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He often said things that people remembered, such as:

  • “I paid too much for it, but it’s worth it.”
  • “I had a great idea this morning, but I didn’t like it.”
  • “That’s our strongest weak point.”

His sayings are called Goldwynisms.

References

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