IRVING THALBERG: PRINCE OF HOLLYWOOD (2004) B/W & C 74m dir: Robert Trachtenberg

From the TCM website, turnerclassicmovies.com: "Turner Classic Movies will pay tribute to one of the most prolific and famous American producers in Hollywood with the world premiere of Irving Thalberg: Prince of Hollywood, a new 74-minute documentary by acclaimed filmmaker and photographer Robert Trachtenberg. The documentary is narrated by Golden Globe winner Stanley Tucci.

"Thalberg was one of the motion picture industry leaders who supported the founding of the Academy [of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences], and after his death at age 37 in 1936, the Academy's board of governors began voting on and bestowing the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award in his honor, presented to creative producers whose bodies of work reflect a consistently high quality of motion-picture production. Past recipients include Warren Beatty, Norman Jewison, Clint Eastwood, Billy Wilder and Steven Spielberg.

"Irving Thalberg: Prince of Hollywood is the first comprehensive look at the life and career of this famous Hollywood producer. He was called the 'Boy Wonder' for his youth and his unmatched ability for selecting the right scripts and making very profitable films out of them. His name is a benchmark of how a producer shapes a motion picture as well as the actors, directors and essentially, an entire era of Hollywood. He was a man who never put his name on a film yet was christened the architect of the motion-picture business, who quickly, and amazingly, rose to head production of Universal Studios at age 20 and went on to do the same just four years later at MGM. His unprecedented prowess and talent are still spoken of today.

"'He was like a young Pope,' says Budd Schulberg. At age 23, Thalberg was virtually the 'Godfather' of Hollywood. His support and advice was sought by industry leaders in matters ranging from the production code (which he helped form) to the formation of the motion-picture academy. Perfecting the star system, he refined and built careers individually, including newcomers such as Clark Gable, Jean Harlow and Greta Garbo. He produced several famous classics including such Oscar® winners as MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY (1935), GRAND HOTEL (1932), ANNA CHRISTIE (1930), and CAMILLE (1937).

"The documentary, produced, written and directed by acclaimed documentarian Robert Trachtenberg, features clips and stills to show Thalberg's exact contributions to each production and why he stands apart from other legendary producers. Archival and new interviews, including his granddaughter Deborah Thalberg, Samuel Goldwyn Jr. and Bob Thomas, will tell the story of one of the few Hollywood figures who actually lived up to his legend."