The Metro Goldwyn Mayer Story (1965-1969)

The second half of the "Swinging Sixties" saw the movies going into bold new directions thanks to the shutdown of the Hays Code, the creation of the MPAA rating system and the rise of what would become known as the "New Hollywood." Many young directors were quickly making names for themselves with their daring and controversial works (some of which would be released by MGM) that were unlike anything that had been released before. The movies could finally be more free to depict stronger violence and sexual content as well as include plenty of profanity and nudity. Unfortunately for MGM though, all these newfound creative freedoms were not enough to consistently keep the studio in the black. Despite the occasional blockbuster success ("Doctor Zhivago", "Blow-Up", "The Dirty Dozen", "2001: A Space Odyssey" among a few others), the rising debts that came attached to far too many more box office failures saw MGM struggle to stay afloat in the new Hollywood as the decade drew to a close. In 1969, businessman/investor Kirk Kerkorian and newly appointed studio president James T. Aubrey Jr. took charge of MGM and gave the Hollywood press some hope that the studio could return to its former glory. However, Kerkorian only saw MGM as a "brand name" that he could use to promote his Las Vegas hotel properties and gave little emphasis towards the studio's film making future. Some wondered if the once mighty roar of the MGM lion was going to be reduced to a mere whimper as the 1970's began.

All feature films produced or distributed by MGM from 1965-1969 are included in this latest listing. There are plenty of guilty pleasures and occasional hidden gems here but far too few genuine classics. The glory days of MGM are well behind them at this point.

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