Hollywood: An Empire of Their Own

This program is based on the acclaimed book of the same name written by Neal Gabler. The men who created Hollywood, men like Adolph Zucker (Paramount founder), Carl Loemmle (Columbia founder), and Louis B. Mayer (MGM founder) had a lot in common. They were all born or grew up within 500 miles of one another, all renounced their Jewish faith and ties, and all helped create Hollywood as it is today. Never-before-seen home movie footage, interviews with family, and extensive movie clips explain the rise of the American film industry, the lives of these important men, and the impact of the values still upheld by Hollywood. This program was the winner of the Best Jewish Experience Documentary award presented at the 1998 Jerusalem Film Festival.