Michael G. Fitzgerald
Encyclopedia
Michael G. Fitzgerald a native of El Dorado, Arkansas
, was a film historian
and author.
His best known work was 1977's Universal Pictures: A Panoramic History in Words, Pictures, and Filmographies (published by Arlington House), which chronicled the history of the studio
.
He also co-authored two books with Boyd Magers, Western Women and Ladies of the Western, both from McFarland & Co., which consisted of interviews with many leading ladies of western
films. He dedicated this book to his nephew, Jon Fitzgerald, who grew up watching old movies with Michael as a small boy.
Fitzgerald was also noted for co-hosting the annual Jivin' Jacks and Jills Hollywood Reunion in Studio City, California for over 20 years. Named after a dance troupe that performed in Universal films in the 1940s, the event began as a reunion for Universal actors. Fitzgerald was also an active participant in organizing the annual Memphis Film Festival from the early 2000s.
He worked as an accountant in Shreveport, Louisiana
, until retiring about 2004. He died at the age of 55 from a staph infection in his foot.
Michael's family includes his father, John F. Fitzgerald, his mother Tommie Mae Fitzgerald, his brother, Jerry Wayne Fitzgerald, and nephew Jon David Fitzgerald. Some time in the late 1960s, Michael's fiancée was killed in an automobile accident and he never married.
Michael's favorite movies included musicals with Donald O'Connor
, Peggy Ryan
, and Gloria Jean
, Abbott and Costello
films, and classic horror movies such as Frankenstein
(1931) and The Wolfman (1941). Michael spent hours every weekend in his screening room watching these classics on old reel to reel films.
El Dorado, Arkansas
El Dorado , a multi-cultural arts center: South Arkansas Arts Center , an award-winning renovated downtown, and numerous sporting, shopping, and dining opportunities. El Dorado is the population, cultural, and business center of the 7,300 mi² regional area...
, was a film historian
History of film
The history of film is the historical development of the medium known variously as cinema, motion pictures, film, or the movies.The history of film spans over 100 years, from the latter part of the 19th century to the present day...
and author.
His best known work was 1977's Universal Pictures: A Panoramic History in Words, Pictures, and Filmographies (published by Arlington House), which chronicled the history of the studio
Universal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
.
He also co-authored two books with Boyd Magers, Western Women and Ladies of the Western, both from McFarland & Co., which consisted of interviews with many leading ladies of western
Western (genre)
The Western is a genre of various visual arts, such as film, television, radio, literature, painting and others. Westerns are devoted to telling stories set primarily in the latter half of the 19th century in the American Old West, hence the name. Some Westerns are set as early as the Battle of...
films. He dedicated this book to his nephew, Jon Fitzgerald, who grew up watching old movies with Michael as a small boy.
Fitzgerald was also noted for co-hosting the annual Jivin' Jacks and Jills Hollywood Reunion in Studio City, California for over 20 years. Named after a dance troupe that performed in Universal films in the 1940s, the event began as a reunion for Universal actors. Fitzgerald was also an active participant in organizing the annual Memphis Film Festival from the early 2000s.
He worked as an accountant in Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
, until retiring about 2004. He died at the age of 55 from a staph infection in his foot.
Michael's family includes his father, John F. Fitzgerald, his mother Tommie Mae Fitzgerald, his brother, Jerry Wayne Fitzgerald, and nephew Jon David Fitzgerald. Some time in the late 1960s, Michael's fiancée was killed in an automobile accident and he never married.
Michael's favorite movies included musicals with Donald O'Connor
Donald O'Connor
Donald David Dixon Ronald O’Connor was an American dancer, singer, and actor who came to fame in a series of movies in which he co-starred alternately with Gloria Jean, Peggy Ryan, and Francis the Talking Mule...
, Peggy Ryan
Peggy Ryan
Margaret O'Rene "Peggy" Ryan was an American dancer, best known for starring in a series of movie musicals at Universal Pictures with Donald O'Connor and Gloria Jean....
, and Gloria Jean
Gloria Jean
Gloria Jean is an American singer and actress who starred or co-starred in 26 feature films between 1939 and 1959. She also made radio, television, stage, and nightclub appearances.-Career:...
, Abbott and Costello
Abbott and Costello
William "Bud" Abbott and Lou Costello performed together as Abbott and Costello, an American comedy duo whose work on stage, radio, film and television made them the most popular comedy team during the 1940s and 1950s...
films, and classic horror movies such as Frankenstein
Frankenstein (1931 film)
Frankenstein is a 1931 Pre-Code Horror Monster film from Universal Pictures directed by James Whale and adapted from the play by Peggy Webling which in turn is based on the novel of the same name by Mary Shelley. The film stars Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, John Boles and Boris Karloff, and features...
(1931) and The Wolfman (1941). Michael spent hours every weekend in his screening room watching these classics on old reel to reel films.