Lewis J. Selznick
Encyclopedia
Lewis J. Selznick was a Jewish-Ukrainian-American producer
in the early years of the film industry
.
, Russia
(now Ukraine
), and emigrated to the United States
at age 18. Changing his name to Selznick, he settled in Pittsburgh and built up a successful jewelry retail business.
About 1896, he married Florence Sachs, and they had four children. His eldest son, Myron Selznick
(1898–1944), would work as a producer and studio executive until establishing a successful talent agency. His second son, David O. Selznick
(1902–1965), became a notable Hollywood filmmaker, producing Gone with the Wind
(1939). A third son, Howard, chose not to enter the film business.
In 1910 in New York City
, he opened what he called "the world's largest jewelry store"; however, the business closed within a few months.
, where many early film studios in America's first motion picture industry were based in the early part of the 20th century. He soon merged with the Peerless Pictures Studios and the Shubert Brothers, Shubert Pictures Co. Selznick's company became very successful, in 1915 hiring Sidney Olcott
away from Kalem Studios plus the French director Maurice Tourneur
away from the American arm of the giant, Pathé
. By 1916, personality conflicts with his partners saw him ousted from the firm by the Board of Directors.
Lewis Selznick continued in film on the East Coast
until 1920 when he moved to Hollywood, California where he teamed up with Adolph Zukor
and Jesse L. Lasky
. However, within a few years his company, Lewis J. Selznick Productions, Inc., experienced severe financial difficulties and went bankrupt in 1925. He retired from the business and died in Los Angeles, California
in 1933.
For his contribution to the motion picture industry, Lewis J. Selznick has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
at 6412 Hollywood Blvd.
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
in the early years of the film industry
Film industry
The film industry consists of the technological and commercial institutions of filmmaking: i.e. film production companies, film studios, cinematography, film production, screenwriting, pre-production, post production, film festivals, distribution; and actors, film directors and other film crew...
.
Personal life and early career
Selznick was born Lewis Zeleznick in 1870 in KievKiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
(now Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
), and emigrated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
at age 18. Changing his name to Selznick, he settled in Pittsburgh and built up a successful jewelry retail business.
About 1896, he married Florence Sachs, and they had four children. His eldest son, Myron Selznick
Myron Selznick
Myron Selznick was an American film producer and talent agent.-Life and career:Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Selznick was the son of film executive Lewis J. Selznick and brother of renowned producer David O. Selznick...
(1898–1944), would work as a producer and studio executive until establishing a successful talent agency. His second son, David O. Selznick
David O. Selznick
David O. Selznick was an American film producer. He is best known for having produced Gone with the Wind and Rebecca , both of which earned him an Oscar for Best Picture.-Early years:...
(1902–1965), became a notable Hollywood filmmaker, producing Gone with the Wind
Gone with the Wind (film)
Gone with the Wind is a 1939 American historical epic film adapted from Margaret Mitchell's Pulitzer-winning 1936 novel of the same name. It was produced by David O. Selznick and directed by Victor Fleming from a screenplay by Sidney Howard...
(1939). A third son, Howard, chose not to enter the film business.
In 1910 in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, he opened what he called "the world's largest jewelry store"; however, the business closed within a few months.
Film career
Fascinated with the fledgling motion picture business, and recognizing a business opportunity with great potential, he joined a film production company. In 1914, he founded World Pictures Corporation, a film distribution company in Fort Lee, New JerseyFort Lee, New Jersey
Fort Lee is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 35,345. Located atop the Hudson Palisades, the borough is the western terminus of the George Washington Bridge...
, where many early film studios in America's first motion picture industry were based in the early part of the 20th century. He soon merged with the Peerless Pictures Studios and the Shubert Brothers, Shubert Pictures Co. Selznick's company became very successful, in 1915 hiring Sidney Olcott
Sidney Olcott
Sidney Olcott was a Canadian-born film producer, director, actor and screenwriter.-Biography:Born John Sidney Alcott in Toronto, he became one of the first great directors of the motion picture business...
away from Kalem Studios plus the French director Maurice Tourneur
Maurice Tourneur
Maurice Tourneur was an important international film director and screenwriter.-Life:Born Maurice Thomas in the Belleville district of Paris, France, his father was a jeweler. As a young man, Maurice Thomas first trained as a graphic designer and a magazine illustrator but was soon drawn to the...
away from the American arm of the giant, Pathé
Pathé
Pathé or Pathé Frères is the name of various French businesses founded and originally run by the Pathé Brothers of France.-History:...
. By 1916, personality conflicts with his partners saw him ousted from the firm by the Board of Directors.
Lewis Selznick continued in film on the East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
until 1920 when he moved to Hollywood, California where he teamed up with Adolph Zukor
Adolph Zukor
Adolph Zukor , born Adolph Cukor, was a film mogul and founder of Paramount Pictures.-Early life:...
and Jesse L. Lasky
Jesse L. Lasky
Jesse Louis Lasky, Sr. was a pioneer Hollywood film producer. He was a key founder of Paramount Pictures with Adolph Zukor, and father of screenwriter Jesse L...
. However, within a few years his company, Lewis J. Selznick Productions, Inc., experienced severe financial difficulties and went bankrupt in 1925. He retired from the business and died in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
in 1933.
For his contribution to the motion picture industry, Lewis J. Selznick has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame consists of more than 2,400 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California...
at 6412 Hollywood Blvd.