SAMUEL GOLDWYN: Movie Mogul

Samuel Goldfisch, a 14-year-old apprentice glovemaker, came to New York in 1895. His immigrant's dream of wealth was realized in the new movie industry, where he rose to become one of the most influential film producers. This concise, entertaining piece of movie history chronicles the developing industry, focusing on the technology, directors, scripts, and stars from early nickelodeons to the 1959 Porgy and Bess. According to Barnes, Goldwyn was quarrelsome, difficult, poorly spoken, and neither an intellectual nor an artist; yet he produced widely popular films while amassing several fortunes. Sometimes the author denigrates his subject without documentation: Sam's parents ""pampered their firstborn son and gave him a lifelong expectation of being treated in this fashion""--a statement that seems at odds with his supporting himself as a glovemaker after arriving in steerage. Movie buffs should enjoy this. Attractive b&w photos; bibliography; index.