Eagle-Lion Films: Difference between revisions

Eagle-Lion Films
Industry	Film studio
Founded	December 1945; 79 years ago
Defunct	1950; 74 years ago
Successor	Company:; Eagle-Lion Classics; Library:; Paramount Pictures; (through Melange Pictures); Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; (through United Artists); (with some exceptions)
Key people	J. Arthur Rank; Arthur B. Krim

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Eagle-Lion Films was the name of two distinct, though related, companies. In 1944, UK film magnate J. Arthur Rank created an American distribution company with the name to handle his British films. The following year, under a reciprocal distribution arrangement with Rank, the U.S. company Pathé Industries, which already owned the small Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC) studio, established an Eagle-Lion Films production subsidiary, while Rank's American business dropped the name. PRC, with its existing distribution exchanges, handled releases in the U.S. When PRC shut down in 1948, its distribution exchanges were assumed by Eagle-Lion Films. In 1950, Pathé merged Eagle-Lion with an independent reissues distributor, Film Classics, to create Eagle-Lion Classics. The latter was acquired by and merged into United Artists a year later. Rank also released films in the United Kingdom through Eagle-Lion Distributors Limited.

History

Pathé Industries' Eagle-Lion Films subsidiary was founded in December 1945. From 1946 to 1949, Eagle-Lion was led by Arthur B. Krim; in addition to releasing films by Rank and reissues of David O. Selznick films, it produced its own B-movies. Bryan Foy the former head of the B-picture unit at Warner Bros., was in charge of production.^[1] Some of the producers working at Eagle-Lion included Aubrey Schenck, Jack Schwarz and briefly, Walter Wanger and George Pal. Directors included Anthony Mann. Cinematographer John Alton also worked on its productions.

The initial arrangement was that Rank and Eagle-Lion would each produce five films a year. Costs were initially kept to less than $500,000 per film. Their first year of films were financed with $8 million in loans from the Bank of America which Robert R. Young personally guaranteed.^[2]

The company recorded a loss of $2.2 million in 1947. Krim later attributed this to them paying too much money for stars who were scarcely good enough to prevent insufficient box-office returns.^[3] This encouraged Eagle-Lion to change its mode of production, using more independent producers as a source for new films. Bryan Foy resigned as head of production to become an independent producer for the company and Arthur Krim became studio chief. Eagle-Lion would help finance the films and offer facilities, although producers would find their own money too. Along with Foy, other independent producers who worked for Eagle-Lion included Edward Small, Walter Wanger and George Pal. They began making lower-budgeted films, enjoying particular success with film noir.

Eagle-Lion had acquired the film studio of Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC), which had acquired the building from the no-longer extant Grand National Pictures. PRC was dissolved in August 1947 and its product was shifted to Eagle-Lion.

By 1947–48, the studio had completed 14 productions. By the spring of 1949, ten were in release, five of which earned a substantial profit – T-Men, Raw Deal, Canon City, He Walked By Night and The Noose Hangs High. Two others broke even and two others showed losses. If the company had completely financed these films it would have made $1.2 million but as it was it made $200,000.^[4] However, because of its unsuccessful first year, the company still owed money and closed its studio in November 1948.

Eagle-Lion released a series of British films, most of which were unsuccessful at the American box office. There were some exceptions, such as The Red Shoes which earned rentals of $5 million^[5]^[6] as well as being their only release which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

The company suffered increasing financial difficulties throughout 1949. Krim resigned in May and the company ceased production at the end of the year. Eagle-Lion merged with Film Classics in 1950 to become Eagle-Lion Classics.

Assistant director Reggie Callow felt that the studio would have survived longer had they kept producing low-budget films rather than attempting to compete with the major studios by making higher-budgeted films.^[7]

In 1951, Krim was offered the leadership of United Artists. In April of that year, UA took over distribution of Eagle-Lion's current releases; Eagle-Lion terminated the releasing pact with Rank and ceased distributing movies. Their studios were sold.^[8] In 1954, the film lot was purchased by the Ziv Company for production of its syndicated television programs.^[9] It has long since been demolished.

Filmography

Notes

^ p.87 Mirisch, Walter I Thought We Were Making Movies, Not History Univ of Wisconsin Press, 27 February 2008
^ p. 21 Balio, Tino United Artists: The Company That Changed the Film Industry University of Wisconsin Press, 1987
^ Balio p 24
^ Balio p 31
^ "All Time Domestic Champs". Variety. 6 January 1960. p. 34.
^ Balio p 34
^ p.63 Callow, Ridgeway & Behlmer, Rudy Shoot the Rehearsal!: Behind the Scenes With Assistant Director Reggie Callow Scarecrow Press, 1 June 2010
^ Balio p. 37
^ "Profiles of First-Place Winners". Billboard. 12 February 1955. p. 10. Retrieved 11 January 2017.

[1] .87 Mirisch, Walter I Thought We Were Making Movies, Not History Univ of Wisconsin Press, 27 February 2008

[2] . 21 Balio, Tino United Artists: The Company That Changed the Film Industry University of Wisconsin Press, 1987

[3] Balio p 24

[4] Balio p 31

[5] "All Time Domestic Champs". Variety. 6 January 1960. p. 34.

[6] Balio p 34

[7] .63 Callow, Ridgeway & Behlmer, Rudy Shoot the Rehearsal!: Behind the Scenes With Assistant Director Reggie Callow Scarecrow Press, 1 June 2010

[8] Balio p. 37

[bb021255-9] "Profiles of First-Place Winners". Billboard. 12 February 1955. p. 10. Retrieved 11 January 2017.

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[4]

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|British-American film production company}}
 {{EngvarB|date=May 2018}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
 {{Infobox company
 | name = Eagle-Lion Films
-| image  = "Eagle-Lion_Films".jpg
+| image  =
-| logo = <!--Eaglelion.jpg-->
+| logo =
 | caption =
+| successor = Company:<br>Eagle-Lion Classics<br>Library:<br>[[Paramount Pictures]]<br>{{small|(through [[Melange Pictures]])}}<br>[[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]]<br>{{small|(through [[United Artists]])}}<br>(with some exceptions)
-| fate = Merger
+| foundation = {{Start date and age|1945|12}}
-| successor = Eagle Lion Classics
+| defunct = {{Start date and age|1950}}
-| foundation = Sept 1946
-| defunct = 1950
 | industry = [[Film studio]]
-| key_people = [[J. Arthur Rank]]
+| key_people = [[J. Arthur Rank]]<br />[[Arthur B. Krim]]
 | products =
 | num_employees = <!--peak number of employees-->
@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 | subsid =
 }}
+'''Eagle-Lion Films''' was the name of two distinct, though related, companies. In 1944, UK film magnate [[J. Arthur Rank]] created an American distribution company with the name to handle his British films. The following year, under a reciprocal distribution arrangement with Rank, the U.S. company [[Pathé Exchange|Pathé Industries]], which already owned the small [[Producers Releasing Corporation]] (PRC) studio, established an Eagle-Lion Films production subsidiary, while Rank's American business dropped the name. PRC, with its existing distribution exchanges, handled releases in the U.S. When PRC shut down in 1948, its distribution exchanges were assumed by Eagle-Lion Films. In 1950, Pathé merged Eagle-Lion with an independent reissues distributor, Film Classics, to create '''Eagle-Lion Classics'''. The latter was acquired by and merged into [[United Artists]] a year later. Rank also released films in the United Kingdom through '''Eagle-Lion Distributors Limited'''.
-'''Eagle-Lion Films''' was a British film production company owned by [[J. Arthur Rank]] intended to release British productions in the United States.
+==History==
-In 1947 it acquired [[Robert R. Young]]'s [[Producers Releasing Corporation|PRC Pictures]], a small American production company, to produce B Pictures to accompany the British releases.  The studio became one of the most respected makers of [[B-movies]] on what was known as Hollywood's "[[Poverty Row]]."
+Pathé Industries' Eagle-Lion Films subsidiary was founded in December 1945. From 1946 to 1949, Eagle-Lion was led by [[Arthur B. Krim]]; in addition to releasing films by Rank and reissues of [[David O. Selznick]] films, it produced its own [[B-movies]]. [[Bryan Foy]] the former head of the [[B-picture]] unit at [[Warner Bros.]], was in charge of production.<ref>p.87 Mirisch, Walter ''I Thought We Were Making Movies, Not History'' Univ of Wisconsin Press, 27 February 2008</ref> Some of the producers working at Eagle-Lion included [[Aubrey Schenck]], [[Jack Schwarz (producer)|Jack Schwarz]] and briefly, [[Walter Wanger]] and [[George Pal]]. Directors included [[Anthony Mann]]. Cinematographer [[John Alton]] also worked on its productions.
+The initial arrangement was that Rank and Eagle-Lion would each produce five films a year. Costs were initially kept to less than $500,000 per film. Their first year of films were financed with $8&nbsp;million in loans from the [[Bank of America]] which [[Robert R. Young]] personally guaranteed.<ref>p. 21 Balio, Tino ''United Artists: The Company That Changed the Film Industry'' University of Wisconsin Press, 1987</ref>
-Eagle-Lion was also a [[Film distributor|film distribution company]] under the name of Eagle-Lion Distributors Limited in the United Kingdom and Eagle-Lion Films Inc. in the United States. In 1954, the film lot, at 7324 Santa Monica Boulevard, was purchased by the [[Ziv Company]] for production of its syndicated television programs.<ref name="bb021255">{{cite news|title=Profiles of First-Place Winners|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1RkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA10|accessdate=11 January 2017|work=Billboard|date=12 February 1955|page=10}}</ref> It has long since been demolished.
+The company recorded a loss of $2.2 million in 1947. Krim later attributed this to them paying too much money for stars who were scarcely good enough to prevent insufficient box-office returns.<ref>Balio p 24</ref> This encouraged Eagle-Lion to change its mode of production, using more independent producers as a source for new films. [[Bryan Foy]] resigned as head of production to become an independent producer for the company and Arthur Krim became studio chief. Eagle-Lion would help finance the films and offer facilities, although producers would find their own money too. Along with Foy, other independent producers who worked for Eagle-Lion included [[Edward Small]], [[Walter Wanger]] and [[George Pal]]. They began making lower-budgeted films, enjoying particular success with film noir.
-==Late history==
-The company was founded in September 1946.
-From 1946 to 1949 Eagle-Lion was under the control of [[Arthur B. Krim]] who in addition to releasing films by Rank and reissues of [[David O. Selznick]] films produced his own [[B-movies]] as support. [[Bryan Foy]] the former head of the [[B-picture]] unit at [[Warner Bros.]] was placed in charge of production.<ref>p.87 Mirisch, Walter ''I Thought We Were Making Movies, Not History'' Univ of Wisconsin Press, 27 February 2008</ref> Some of the producers working at Eagle-Lion included [[Aubrey Schenck]], [[Jack Schwarz (producer)|Jack Schwarz]] and briefly, [[Walter Wanger]] and [[George Pal]]. Directors included [[Anthony Mann]].
+Eagle-Lion had acquired the [[film studio]] of [[Producers Releasing Corporation]] (PRC), which had acquired the building from the no-longer extant [[Grand National Pictures]]. PRC was dissolved in August 1947 and its product was shifted to Eagle-Lion.
-The initial arrangement was that Rank and Eagle-Lion would each produce five films a year.  Costs were also initially kept to less than $500,000 per film. Their first year of films were financed with $8&nbsp;million in loans from the [[Bank of America]] which Young personally guaranteed.<ref>p. 21 Balio, Tino ''United Artists: The Company That Changed the Film Industry'' Univ of Wisconsin Press, 1987</ref>
+By 1947–48, the studio had completed 14 productions. By the spring of 1949, ten were in release, five of which earned a substantial profit – ''[[T-Men]]'', ''[[Raw Deal (1948 film)|Raw Deal]]'', ''[[Canon City (film)|Canon City]]'', ''[[He Walked By Night]]'' and ''[[The Noose Hangs High]]''. Two others broke even and two others showed losses. If the company had completely financed these films it would have made $1.2&nbsp;million but as it was it made $200,000.<ref>Balio p 31</ref> However, because of its unsuccessful first year, the company still owed money and closed its studio in November 1948.
-The company recorded a loss of $2.2 million in 1947. [[Arthur B. Krim]] later attributed this to them paying too much money for stars who were not worth anything at the box office.<ref>Balio p 24</ref> This encouraged Eagle Lion to change its mode of production, using more independent producers as a source of product. [[Bryan Foy]] resigned as head of production to become an independent producer for the company and Arthur Krim became studio chief. Eagle Lion would help finance the films and offer facilities, although producers would find their own money too. PRC was dissolved in August 1947 and its product was shifted to Eagle Lion.
+Eagle-Lion released a series of British films, most of which were unsuccessful at the American box office. There were some exceptions, such as ''[[The Red Shoes (1948 film)|The Red Shoes]]'' which earned rentals of $5 million<ref>{{cite magazine|title=All Time Domestic Champs|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=6 January 1960|page=34}}</ref><ref>Balio p 34</ref> as well as being their only release which was nominated for the [[Academy Award for Best Picture]].
-Along with Foy, other independent producers who worked for Eagle Lion included [[Edward Small]], [[Walter Wanger]] and [[George Pal]]. They began making lower budgeted films, enjoying particular success with film noir.
+The company suffered increasing financial difficulties throughout 1949. Krim resigned in May and the company ceased production at the end of the year. Eagle-Lion merged with [[Film Classics]] in 1950 to become Eagle-Lion Classics.
-By 1947–48 the studio had accomplished 14 productions.  By the spring of 1949, ten were in release, five of which earned a substantial profit – ''[[T-Men]]'', ''[[Raw Deal (1948 film)|Raw Deal]]'', ''[[Canon City (film)|Canon City]]'', ''[[He Walked By Night]]'' and ''[[The Noose Hangs High]]''. Two others broke even and two others showed loses. If the company had completely financed these films it would have made $1.2&nbsp;million but as it was it made $200,000.<ref>Balio p 31</ref> However, because of its unsuccessful first year, the company still owed money and shut its studio in November 1948.
-Eagle Lion released a series of British films, most of which were unsuccessful at the American box office. There were some exceptions, such as ''[[The Red Shoes (1948 film)|The Red Shoes]]''.<ref>Balio p 34</ref>
 Assistant director Reggie Callow felt that the studio would have survived longer had they kept producing low-budget films rather than attempting to compete with the major studios by making higher-budgeted films.<ref>p.63 Callow, Ridgeway & Behlmer, Rudy ''Shoot the Rehearsal!: Behind the Scenes With Assistant Director Reggie Callow'' Scarecrow Press, 1 June 2010</ref>
+In 1951, Krim was offered the leadership of [[United Artists]]. In April of that year, UA took over distribution of Eagle-Lion's current releases; Eagle-Lion terminated the releasing pact with Rank and ceased distributing movies. Their studios were sold.<ref>Balio p. 37</ref> In 1954, the film lot was purchased by the [[Ziv Company]] for production of its syndicated television programs.<ref name="bb021255">{{cite magazine|title=Profiles of First-Place Winners|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1RkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA10|access-date=11 January 2017|magazine=Billboard|date=12 February 1955|page=10}}</ref> It has long since been demolished.
-The company suffered increasing financial trouble throughout 1949. Krim resigned in May and the company ceased production at the end of the year. Eagle-Lion merged with [[Film Classics]] in 1950 to become Eagle-Lion Classics.
+==Filmography==
-In 1951 Krim was offered the leadership of [[United Artists]] to improve their fortunes. In April of that year UA took over distribution of Eagle Lion's current releases; Eagle Lion terminated the releasing pact with Rank and ceased distributing movies. Their studios were sold off.<ref>Balio p 37</ref>
+{{Main|List of Eagle-Lion films}}
-Eagle-Lion had acquired the [[film studio]] of [[Producers Releasing Corporation]] (PRC) which had acquired the building from [[Grand National Pictures]] which ceased operations in 1939.  In 1954 [[Frederick Ziv]] bought the studio for his [[Ziv Television Programs]].
-While the production company was ultimately unsuccessful, Arthur Krim's experience working at it was invaluable in helping re-establish United Artists as an industry powerhouse in the coming decades.<ref>Balio p 38-39</ref>
-==Select Filmography==
-{{Main|Category: Eagle-Lion Films films}}
-{{div col|colwidth=24em}}
-*''[[Bedelia (film)|Bedelia]]'' (1946)
-*''[[Adventures of Casanova]]'' (1946)
-*''[[It's a Joke, Son!]]'' (1947)
-*''[[Love from a Stranger (1947 film)|Love from a Stranger]]'' (1947)
-*''[[Bury Me Dead]]'' (1947)
-*''[[Lost Honeymoon]]'' (1947)
-*''[[Repeat Performance]]'' (1947)
-*''[[The Red Stallion]]'' (1947)
-*''[[Out of the Blue (1947 film)|Out of the Blue]]'' (1947)
-*''[[Railroaded!]]'' (1947)
-*''[[T-Men]]'' (1947)
-*''[[Canon City (film)|Canon City]]'' (1948)
-*''[[Close-Up (1948 film)|Close-Up]]'' (1948)
-*''[[Raw Deal (1948 film)|Raw Deal]]'' (1948)
-*''[[He Walked By Night]]'' (1948)
-*''[[The Noose Hangs High]]'' (1948)
-*''[[The Red Shoes (1948 film)|The Red Shoes]]'' (1948)
-*''[[Behind Locked Doors]]'' (1948)
-*''[[Shed No Tears]]'' (1948)
-*''[[Hamlet (1948 film)|Hamlet]]'' (1948)
-*''[[Hollow Triumph]]'' (1948)
-*''[[The Amazing Mr. X]]'' (1948)
-*''[[Trapped (1949 film)|Trapped]]'' (1949)
-*''[[Port of New York (film)|Port of New York]]'' (1949)
-*''[[Reign of Terror (film)|Reign of Terror]]'' (1949)
-*''[[Tulsa (film)|Tulsa]]'' (1949)
-*''[[Guilty of Treason]]'' (1950)
-{{div col end}}
 ==Notes==
 {{Reflist|25em}}
-==External links==
-*{{imdb company|id=0008159|company=Eagle Lion Films}} 1947–1950
-*{{imdb company|id=0025138|company=Eagle Lion Films}} 1950–1951
-*UK Eagle Lion {{imdb company|id=0050661|company=Eagle Lion Films}}
 {{Cinema of the United Kingdom}}
+{{Authority control}}
 [[Category:Eagle-Lion Films films| 01]]
@@ Line 102: / Line 59: @@
 [[Category:British companies established in 1946]]
 [[Category:Entertainment companies established in 1946]]
-[[Category:Media companies established in 1946]]
+[[Category:Mass media companies established in 1946]]
-[[Category:Media companies disestablished in 1950]]
+[[Category:Mass media companies disestablished in 1950]]
 [[Category:1946 establishments in England]]
 [[Category:1950 disestablishments in England]]
 [[Category:1946 establishments in California]]
 [[Category:1950 disestablishments in California]]
-[[Category:Defunct companies based in the Greater Los Angeles Area]]
+[[Category:Defunct companies based in Greater Los Angeles]]
 [[Category:Defunct companies based in London]]
+[[Category:British companies disestablished in 1950]]

Authority control databases
International	VIAF
National	United States