No, this is not "The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Story" promised by the title. It's a series of film trailers and promotional clips heralding the studio's "Films of the Future" (with an acknowledged exception). Collectively, these films are nowhere near as good as those in "Some of the Best", the previous 25-year collection of clips, which is recalled in an introduction by Lionel Barrymore. But, there are a few fine films represented here. They should have switched the titles of this one and "Some of the Best". Mr. Barrymore reads his opening lines with enthusiasm; he is a link to MGM's glory days, and inadvertently suggests the end of an era.
Barrymore turns the narration over to new studio suit Dore Schary, who supplanted the larger-than-life Louis B. Mayer.
Mr. Schary divides the clips into black-and-white, then Technicolor. We begin with some humor and action with Van Johnson in "Go for Broke". Next up is a period drama called "Inside Straight" with Arlene Dahl's bosom prominently displayed. Those two cover sex and violence well. Jane Powell and Vic Damone sing sweetly together. The preview for "People in Love" with Ray Milland and Nancy Davis is one that works (it made me want to see the unfamiliar movie). Ava Gardner looks beautiful as "Pandora". Lastly, "Quo Vadis" with Robert Taylor and Deborah Kerr is promoted as the biggest thing since "Gone with the Wind".
**** The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Story (3/12/51) Herman Hoffman : Dore Schary, Lionel Barrymore
Barrymore turns the narration over to new studio suit Dore Schary, who supplanted the larger-than-life Louis B. Mayer.
Mr. Schary divides the clips into black-and-white, then Technicolor. We begin with some humor and action with Van Johnson in "Go for Broke". Next up is a period drama called "Inside Straight" with Arlene Dahl's bosom prominently displayed. Those two cover sex and violence well. Jane Powell and Vic Damone sing sweetly together. The preview for "People in Love" with Ray Milland and Nancy Davis is one that works (it made me want to see the unfamiliar movie). Ava Gardner looks beautiful as "Pandora". Lastly, "Quo Vadis" with Robert Taylor and Deborah Kerr is promoted as the biggest thing since "Gone with the Wind".
**** The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Story (3/12/51) Herman Hoffman : Dore Schary, Lionel Barrymore