Eddie Mannix

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Edgar Joseph "Eddie" Mannix (* 25. February 1891 in Fort Lee , New Jersey ; † 30th August 1963 in Los Angeles , California ) was an American film producer and film studio - Manager .

life and career

Mannix grew up in Fort Lee, New Jersey. At first he worked as a construction worker and ticket seller. Mannix met the New York businessman Nicholas Schenck , who hired him as an accountant. Mannix also acted as a bodyguard for Schenck and his brother Joseph Schenck . After a while, Mannix took over and was responsible for the day-to-day business of various companies belonging to the Schenck brothers.

After Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was founded in 1924 as a subsidiary of the cinema chain Loew's, Inc. headed by Nicholas Schenck, Schenck sent Mannix, who was loyal to him, to Los Angeles, despite lacking experience in the film business, to help one of his employees near Louis B. To have Mayer , whom Schenck did not particularly trust. Mannix joined MGM as an assistant to Irving Thalberg . However, contrary to Schenck's plans, Mannix and Mayer got along well together.

Mannix and the MGM publicity manager Howard Strickling developed a reputation as fixers over the next few years who could solve even the most delicate problem for MGM. In the 1930s and 1940s, he produced a number of films, including The Mark of the Vampire (1935) and Madame Curie (1943). Eventually he was promoted to vice president of MGM.

Mannix has been suspected on occasion of being involved in the 1959 death of actor George Reeves . Officially, his death was considered a suicide. Reeves was said to have had an affair with Mannix's wife, showgirl Toni Mannix .

His greatest legacy to film historians is what is known as the Mannix File , in which he recorded the costs and revenues of all films produced by MGM between 1924 and 1948.

reception

Mannix was portrayed by actor Bob Hoskins in Allen Coulter's 2006 neo-noir drama The Hollywood Conspiracy .

The Coen Brothers film Hail, Caesar! Released in February 2016 . deals with part of Mannix's life story in a strongly fictionalized form. According to the directors, his character has been significantly modified. The film opened out of competition on February 11, 2016 at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival . Josh Brolin played the main role of Eddie Mannix .

Filmography (selection)

  • 1935: The Mark of the Vampire
  • 1935: It's in the Air
  • 1936: The Devil-Doll
  • 1943: Madame Curie

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ H. Mark Glancy: MGM film grosses, 1924–1948: The Eddie Mannix Ledger . In: Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television . Volume 12, No. Issue 2, 1992, pp. 127-144. doi : 10.1080 / 01439689200260081 .
personal data
SURNAME Mannix, Eddie
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Mannix, Joseph Edgar Allen John (maiden name); Mannix, Edgar Joseph; Mannix, EJ
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American film producer and film studio manager
DATE OF BIRTH February 25, 1891
PLACE OF BIRTH Fort Lee , New Jersey , United States
DATE OF DEATH August 30, 1963
Place of death Los Angeles , California , United States