Joseph M. Schenck: Difference between revisions

Joseph Schenck
Joseph Schenck
	File:Joseph Schenck.jpg with Darryl F. Zanuck (r), 1937
Born	December 25, 1878; Rybinsk, Russia
Died	October 22, 1961 (aged 82); Los Angeles, California
Spouse	Norma Talmadge (1916-1934)

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Joseph Michael Schenck (December 25, 1878 – October 22, 1961) was a pioneer executive who played a key role in the development of the United States film industry.

File:Shenk.jpg

The Schenck's were born in the white home in the image

Born in Rybinsk, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia to a Jewish household,^[1] he and his family-including younger brother Nicholas- emigrated to New York City in 1893, he and Nicholas eventually got into the entertainment business operating concessions at New York's Fort George Amusement Park. Recognizing the potential, in 1909 the Schenck brothers purchased Palisades Amusement Park and after that became participants in the fledgling motion picture industry as partners with Marcus Loew, operating a chain of movie theaters. Through his involvement in the film business, in 1916 Joseph Schenck met and married Norma Talmadge, one of the top young stars with Vitagraph Studios.

After parting ways with his brother, Joseph Schenck moved to the West Coast where the future of the film industry seemed to lie. Within a few years the brilliant and ambitious Schenck was made the first president of the new United Artists. In 1933 he partnered with Darryl F. Zanuck to create 20th Century Pictures that merged with Fox Film Corporation in 1935. As chairman of the new 20th Century Fox he was one of the most powerful and influential people in the film business. During his tenure as chairman, he sought to establish equal pay rates for animals used in filming and more representative speaking roles for women and African Americans.

Caught in a payoff scheme to buy peace with the militant unions, he was convicted of income tax evasion and spent time in prison before being granted a presidential pardon. Following his release, he returned to 20th Century Fox where he became infatuated with a young actress named Marilyn Monroe and played a key role in launching her career.

One of the founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, in 1952 he was given a special Academy Award in recognition of his very significant contribution to the development of the film industry. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6757 Hollywood Blvd.

Joseph Schenck retired in 1957 and shortly after suffered a stroke from which he never fully recovered. He died in Los Angeles in 1961 at the age of 82 and was interred in Maimonides Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

Notes

^ Jewish Standard Letters

External links

Joseph M. Schenck at IMDb
Joseph M. Schenck at Find a Grave

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[1] Jewish Standard Letters

[1]

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 '''Joseph Michael Schenck''' (December 25, 1878 &ndash; October 22, 1961) was a pioneer executive who played a key role in the development of the [[United States]] film industry.
+[[File:Shenk.jpg|thumb|right|The Schenck's were born in the white home in the image]]
-Born in [[Rybinsk]], [[Yaroslavl Oblast]], [[Russia]] to a Jewish household,<ref>[http://www.jstandard.com/articles/3691/1/Letters Jewish Standard Letters<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> he and his family-including younger brother [[Nicholas Schenck|Nicholas]]- emigrated to [[New York City]] in 1893, he and Nicholas eventually got into the entertainment business operating concessions at New York's Fort George Amusement Park. Recognizing the potential, in 1909 the Schenck brothers purchased [[Palisades Amusement Park]] and after that became participants in the fledgling motion picture industry as partners with [[Marcus Loew]], operating a chain of movie theaters. Through his involvement in the film business, in 1916 Joseph Schenck met and married [[Norma Talmadge]], one of the top young stars with [[Vitagraph Studios]].
+Born in [[Rybinsk]], [[Yaroslavl Oblast]], [[Russia]]  to a Jewish household,<ref>[http://www.jstandard.com/articles/3691/1/Letters Jewish Standard Letters<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> he and his family-including younger brother [[Nicholas Schenck|Nicholas]]- emigrated to [[New York City]] in 1893, he and Nicholas eventually got into the entertainment business operating concessions at New York's Fort George Amusement Park. Recognizing the potential, in 1909 the Schenck brothers purchased [[Palisades Amusement Park]] and after that became participants in the fledgling motion picture industry as partners with [[Marcus Loew]], operating a chain of movie theaters. Through his involvement in the film business, in 1916 Joseph Schenck met and married [[Norma Talmadge]], one of the top young stars with [[Vitagraph Studios]].
 After parting ways with his brother, Joseph Schenck moved to the [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]] where the future of the film industry seemed to lie. Within a few years the brilliant and ambitious Schenck was made the first president of the new [[United Artists]]. In 1933 he partnered with [[Darryl F. Zanuck]] to create [[20th Century Pictures]] that merged with [[Fox Film Corporation]] in 1935.  As chairman of the new [[20th Century Fox]] he was one of the most powerful and influential people in the film business.  During his tenure as chairman, he sought to establish equal pay rates for animals used in filming and more representative speaking roles for women and African Americans.