Joseph Herman Pasternak (born József Paszternák; September 19, 1901 – September 13, 1991) was a Hungarian-American film producer in
Hollywood
Hollywood usually refers to:
* Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California
* Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States
Hollywood may also refer to:
Places United States
* Hollywood District (disambiguation)
* Hollywoo ...
. Pasternak spent the Hollywood
"Golden Age" of musicals at
MGM Studios, producing many successful musicals with female singing stars like
Deanna Durbin
Edna Mae Durbin (December 4, 1921 – April 17, 2013), known professionally as Deanna Durbin, was a Canadian-born actress and singer, who moved to the USA with her family in infancy. She appeared in musical films in the 1930s and 1940s. With t ...
,
Kathryn Grayson and
Jane Powell, as well as swimmer/bathing beauty
Esther Williams
Esther Jane Williams (August 8, 1921 – June 6, 2013) was an American competitive swimmer and actress. She set regional and national records in her late teens on the Los Angeles Athletic Club swim team. Unable to compete in the 1940 Summer Ol ...
' films. He produced
Judy Garland
Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm; June 10, 1922June 22, 1969) was an American actress and singer. While critically acclaimed for many different roles throughout her career, she is widely known for playing the part of Dorothy Gale in '' The ...
's final
MGM film, ''
Summer Stock
In American theater, summer-stock theater is a theater that presents stage productions only in the summer. The name combines the season with the tradition of staging shows by a resident company, reusing stock scenery and costumes. Summer stock th ...
'', which was released in 1950, and some of
Gene Kelly
Eugene Curran Kelly (August 23, 1912 – February 2, 1996) was an American actor, dancer, singer, filmmaker, and choreographer. He was known for his energetic and athletic dancing style and sought to create a new form of American dance accessibl ...
’s early breakthrough roles. Pasternak worked in the film industry for 45 years, from the later silent era until shortly past the end of the
classical Hollywood cinema
Classical Hollywood cinema is a term used in film criticism to describe both a narrative and visual style of filmmaking which became characteristic of American cinema between the 1910s (rapidly after World War I) and the 1960s. It eventually b ...
in the early 1960s.
Biography
Early life
He was born to a Jewish family in Szilágysomlyó,
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary, often referred to as the Austro-Hungarian Empire,, the Dual Monarchy, or Austria, was a constitutional monarchy and great power in Central Europe between 1867 and 1918. It was formed with the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of ...
(now
Șimleu Silvaniei
Șimleu Silvaniei (; hu, Szilágysomlyó, german: Schomlenmarkt) is a town in Sălaj County, Crișana, Romania with a population of 14,436 people (2011 census). It is located near the ancient Dacian fortress Dacidava.
Three villages are adminis ...
,
Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern, and Southeast Europe, Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to the west, S ...
). His father was a town clerk and Pasternak was one of eleven children.
In 1920, he emigrated to the US as a teenager and stayed with an uncle in Philadelphia. He worked in a factory, punching holes in leather belts, and did a variety of other jobs. He also studied acting in New York.
Assistant Director
In 1922, Pasternak gained a job as a busboy at
Paramount's
Astoria studio in Queens, New York City at $8 a week; after a year he was head waiter and making $120 a week, including tips.
He quit in 1923 to become an assistant for director
Allan Dwan
Allan Dwan (born Joseph Aloysius Dwan; April 3, 1885 – December 28, 1981) was a pioneering Canadian-born American motion picture director, producer, and screenwriter.
Early life
Born Joseph Aloysius Dwan in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Dwan, wa ...
and worked his way up from fourth assistant at $16 a week to first assistant at $75 a week.
He worked as an assistant director on ''
The Phantom of the Opera
''The Phantom of the Opera'' (french: Le Fantôme de l'Opéra) is a novel by French author Gaston Leroux. It was first published as a serial in from 23 September 1909 to 8 January 1910, and was released in volume form in late March 1910 by Pier ...
'' (1925) and ''
It's the Old Army Game'' (1926).
He tried directing, a two-reeler with
El Brendel
Elmer Goodfellow "El" Brendel (March 25, 1890 – April 9, 1964) was an American vaudeville comedian turned movie star, best remembered for his dialect routine as a Swedish immigrant. His biggest role was as "Single-0" in the sci-fi musical ' ...
.
It was seen by
Wesley Ruggles
Wesley Ruggles (June 11, 1889 – January 8, 1972) was an American film director.
Life and work
He was born in Los Angeles, California, younger brother of actor Charlie Ruggles. He began his career in 1915 as an actor, appearing in a do ...
who offered him a job at
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures (legally Universal City Studios LLC, also known as Universal Studios, or simply Universal; common metonym: Uni, and formerly named Universal Film Manufacturing Company and Universal-International Pictures Inc.) is an Americ ...
as an assistant director at $35 a week.
Germany
In 1928, Universal sent Pasternak to Europe as an associate producer to work on German-language films for the international market. Pasternak produced a series of movies directed by, and often starring,
William Dieterle
William Dieterle (July 15, 1893 – December 9, 1972) was a German-born actor and film director who emigrated to the United States in 1930 to leave a worsening political situation. He worked in Hollywood primarily as a director for much of his ...
: ''
The Brandenburg Arch
''The Brandenburg Arch'' (german: Durchs Brandenburger Tor) is a 1929 German silent drama film directed by Max Knaake and William Dieterle and starring Paul Henckels, June Marlowe and Aribert Mog.Bock & Bergfelder p. 90 It was made by the Germ ...
'' in 1929 with
Paul Henckels and
June Marlowe; ''
Triumph of Love'' and ''
Silence in the Forest'' also in 1929; ''
Rustle of Spring'' and ''
Ludwig II, King of Bavaria'', a drama, both in 1930, and ''
One Hour of Happiness'' in 1931. Pasternak also produced three films directed by
Edmund Heuberger
Edmund Heuberger (1883–1962) was a Swiss art director, screenwriter and film director.Goble p.387
Selected filmography Screenwriter
* '' The Man Without Nerves'' (1924)
* '' The Fake Emir'' (1924)
* '' A Dangerous Game'' (1924)
* '' Adventure o ...
and starring
Eddie Polo: ''
Secret Police
Secret police (or political police) are intelligence, security or police agencies that engage in covert operations against a government's political, religious, or social opponents and dissidents. Secret police organizations are characteristic ...
'' (1929), ''
Witnesses Wanted
''Witnesses Wanted'' (German: ''Zeugen gesucht'') is a 1930 German silent mystery film directed by Edmund Heuberger and starring Eddie Polo, Lotte Stein and Kurt Brenkendorf.Wottrich p.176
The film's sets were designed by the art directors Gus ...
'' (1930), and ''
Of Life and Death
''Of Life and Death'' (german: Auf Leben und Tod) is a 1930 German thriller film directed by Edmund Heuberger and starring Eddie Polo, Rina Marsa and Lotte Stein.Krautz p. 344 It was shot at the Johannisthal Studios in Berlin. The film's sets ...
'' (1930).
Other Pasternak films included ''
The Daredevil Reporter
''The Daredevil Reporter'' (German: ''Der Teufelsreporter'') is a 1929 German silent thriller film directed by Ernst Laemmle and starring Eddie Polo, Gritta Ley and Maria Forescu. It was the first credited screenplay by Billy Wilder.Smedley p.1 ...
'' (1929), written by
Billy Wilder
Billy Wilder (; ; born Samuel Wilder; June 22, 1906 – March 27, 2002) was an Austrian-American filmmaker. His career in Hollywood spanned five decades, and he is regarded as one of the most brilliant and versatile filmmakers of Classic Holly ...
, starring
Eddie Polo and directed by
Ernst Laemmle
Ernst Laemmle (1900–1950) was a German screenwriter and film director. He was the nephew of Universal Pictures founder Carl Laemmle and like many of his relatives he was brought over to America to work for the studio. Ernst directed a number ...
; ''
Next, Please!
''Next, Please!'' (german: Der Nächste, bitte!) is a 1930 German comedy film directed by Erich Schönfelder and starring Charles Puffy, Adele Sandrock, and Albert Paulig.
The film's sets were designed by the art directors Gustav A. Knauer ...
'' (1930) directed by
Erich Schönfelder
Erich Schönfelder (1885–1933) was a German screenwriter, actor, and film director of the silent and early sound eras. Early in his career he worked frequently with Ernst Lubitsch.
Selected filmography
Writer
* ''Shoe Palace Pinkus'' (1916) ...
; ''
Two People'' (1930) with
Charlotte Susa
Charlotte Susa (1 March 1898 – 28 July 1976) was a German actress.
Biography
Susa was born Charlotta Wegmüller near Memel, East Prussia and first appeared on a stage in 1915 at Tilsit. She chose her mother's maiden name "Susa" as her stage n ...
directed by
Erich Waschneck
Erich John Waschneck (29 April 1887, in Grimma, Kingdom of Saxony – 22 September 1970, in Berlin) was a German cameraman, director, screenwriter, and film producer.
Early life
Erich was the son of Karl Hermann Waschneck, a blacksmith, and hi ...
; ''
The Great Longing
''The Great Longing'' (german: Die große Sehnsucht) is a 1930 German comedy film directed by Steve Sekely in his directorial debut and starring Camilla Horn, Theodor Loos, and Harry Frank. It was shot at the EFA Studios in Berlin. The film's ...
'' (1930), directed by
Steve Sekely
Steve Sekely (February 25, 1899– March 9, 1979) was a Hungarian film director. Born István Székely, he was known by several names, based on his changing professional and immigration status, including Stefan Szekely.
He directed films in Hun ...
; ''
Seitensprünge'' (''Infidelity'', 1931); ''
Ich geh' aus und Du bleibst da'' (''The Inconstant: I go out and you stay here'' in German and French, 1931); ''
Der Storch streikt'' (''The Stork Strikes'', 1931); ''
The Night Without Pause'' (1931) with
Sig Arno
Sig Arno (born Siegfried Aron, 27 December 1895 – 17 August 1975) was a German-Jewish film actor who appeared in such films as '' Pardon My Sarong'' and '' The Mummy's Hand''. He may be best remembered from '' The Palm Beach Story'' (1942) as T ...
co-directed by
Andrew Marton
Andrew Marton (born Endre Marton; 26 January 1904 – 7 January 1992) was a Hungarian-American film director. In his career, he directed 39 films and television programs, and worked on 16 as a second unit director, including the chariot race in ...
; ''
Bobby geht los'' (''Bobby goes off'', 1931); ''
A Tremendously Rich Man
''A Tremendously Rich Man'' (German: ''Ein steinreicher Mann'') is a 1932 German comedy film directed by Steve Sekely and starring Curt Bois, Dolly Haas and Adele Sandrock. It premiered on 13 February 1932. The film was a co-production betwee ...
'' (1932); ''
Five from the Jazz Band
''Five from the Jazz Band'' (german: Fünf von der Jazzband) is a 1932 German musical comedy film directed by Erich Engel and starring Jenny Jugo, Rolf von Goth, and Fritz Klippel. It is based on a 1927 play of the same name by Felix Jackson, ...
'' (1932) directed by
Erich Engel; and ''
The Rebel'' (1932), a historical epic directed by
Curtis Bernhardt
Curtis Bernhardt (15 April 1899 – 22 February 1981) was a Jewish film director born in Worms, Germany, under the name Kurt Bernhardt.
He trained as an actor in Germany, and performed on the stage, before starting as a film director in 1924, wi ...
,
Edwin H. Knopf
Edwin H. Knopf (November 11, 1899 – December 27, 1981) was an American film producer, film director, and screenwriter.
Biography
He was born in New York City and went to work early in his life in the editorial department of his brother Al ...
and star
Luis Trenker
Luis Trenker (born Alois Franz Trenker, 4 October 1892 – 13 April 1990) was a South Tyrolean film producer, director, writer, actor, architect, alpinist, and bobsledder.
Biography Early life
Alois Franz Trenker was born on 4 October 1892 in ...
.
Pasternak shot ''
Secret Agent'' (1932) and ''
Johnny Steals Europe
''Johnny Steals Europe'' (german: Jonny stiehlt Europa) is a 1932 German comedy crime film directed by Harry Piel and Andrew Marton and starring Piel, Dary Holm and Alfred Abel. The film was based on a novel by Werner Scheff. It was shot at ...
'' (1932) both with
Harry Piel
Heinrich Piel (12 July 1892 – 27 March 1963), known professionally as Harry Piel, was a prolific German actor, film director, screenwriter, and film producer who was involved in over 150 films.
Piel became a director in 1912, turning out such ...
, then ''
A Tremendously Rich Man
''A Tremendously Rich Man'' (German: ''Ein steinreicher Mann'') is a 1932 German comedy film directed by Steve Sekely and starring Curt Bois, Dolly Haas and Adele Sandrock. It premiered on 13 February 1932. The film was a co-production betwee ...
'' (1932) with director
Steve Sekely
Steve Sekely (February 25, 1899– March 9, 1979) was a Hungarian film director. Born István Székely, he was known by several names, based on his changing professional and immigration status, including Stefan Szekely.
He directed films in Hun ...
, ''
Die unsichtbare Front'' (''The Invisible Secretary'', 1933) and ''
Pardon, tévedtem'' (''Excuse me, I was wrong'', 1933). (Note translations are basic, not officially approved titles.)
Hungary
When Hitler came to power in Germany, Pasternak moved to Hungary. There he did a series of films starring
Franciska Gaal
Franciska Gaal (born Franciska Silberspitz, 1 February 1903 – 13 August 1972) was a Hungarian cabaret artist and film actress of Jewish heritage. Gaal starred in a popular series of European romantic comedies during the 1930s. After attracting ...
: ''
Romance in Budapest'' (1933) with Sekely (also shot in German as ''
Scandal in Budapest
''Scandal in Budapest'' (german: Skandal in Budapest) is a 1933 German-Hungarian comedy film, filmed in Hungary in the German language and directed by Géza von Bolváry and Istvan Szekely and starring Franciska Gaal, Werner Pledath, and Lotte ...
''); ''
A Precocious Girl
''A Precocious Girl'' (German title: ''Csibi, der Fratz'' aka ''Früchtchen'') is a 1934 Austrian comedy film directed by Max Neufeld and Richard Eichberg and starring Franciska Gaal, Leopoldine Konstantin and Herbert Hübner. The film's sets we ...
'' (1934), directed by
Max Neufeld and
Richard Eichberg
Richard Eichberg (27 October 1888 – 8 May 1952) was a German film director and producer. He directed 87 films between 1915 and 1949. He also produced 77 films between 1915 and 1950. He was born in Berlin, Germany and died in Munich, Germ ...
; ''
Spring Parade'' (1934); ''
Peter'' (1934) directed by
Henry Koster
Henry Koster (born Hermann Kosterlitz, May 1, 1905 – September 21, 1988) was a German-born film director. He was the husband of actress Peggy Moran.
Early life
Koster was born to Jewish parents in Berlin, Germany. He was introduced to ci ...
; ''
Little Mother'' (1934) (later remade in Hollywood as ''
Bachelor Mother
''Bachelor Mother'' (1939) is an American romantic comedy film directed by Garson Kanin, and starring Ginger Rogers, David Niven, and Charles Coburn. The screenplay was written by Norman Krasna from an Academy Award-nominated story by Felix Jac ...
''); and ''
Catherine the Last
''Catherine the Last'' (German: ''Katharina, die Letzte'') is a 1936 Austrian romantic comedy film directed by Henry Koster and starring Franciska Gaal, Hans Holt and Hans Olden.Bock & Bergfelder p.257 It was made by the Austrian subsidiary of U ...
'' (1936).
Universal in Hollywood
Pasternak (right) receiving his star on from Johnny Grant (radio personality)">Johnny Grant with
Gene Kelly
Eugene Curran Kelly (August 23, 1912 – February 2, 1996) was an American actor, dancer, singer, filmmaker, and choreographer. He was known for his energetic and athletic dancing style and sought to create a new form of American dance accessibl ...
on the left on July 29, 1991.
Universal recalled Pasternak, giving him a $500 a week contract. He brought back
Henry Koster
Henry Koster (born Hermann Kosterlitz, May 1, 1905 – September 21, 1988) was a German-born film director. He was the husband of actress Peggy Moran.
Early life
Koster was born to Jewish parents in Berlin, Germany. He was introduced to ci ...
with him and the two men set about making the sort of movie they had in Europe. "No one's going to get sick or die in my pictures", Pasternak said at the time. "That's no form of entertainment."
After seeing her in the short ''
Every Sunday
''Every Sunday'' (sometimes incorrectly listed as ''Every Sunday Afternoon'' or ''Opera vs. Jazz'') is a 1936 American musical short film about two adolescent girls and their efforts to save a public concert series, which was being threatened by ...
'' (1936), Pasternak cast 14-year-old Canadian singer
Deanna Durbin
Edna Mae Durbin (December 4, 1921 – April 17, 2013), known professionally as Deanna Durbin, was a Canadian-born actress and singer, who moved to the USA with her family in infancy. She appeared in musical films in the 1930s and 1940s. With t ...
in ''
Three Smart Girls'' (also 1936), directed by Koster. The film became a huge hit and reputedly saved Universal from bankruptcy.
He followed it with two more Durbin films, ''
One Hundred Men and a Girl'' (1937), directed by Koster, and ''
Mad About Music'' (1938), directed by
Norman Taurog
Norman Rae Taurog (February 23, 1899 – April 7, 1981) was an American film director and screenwriter. From 1920 to 1968, Taurog directed 180 films. At the age of 32, he received the Academy Award for Best Director for '' Skippy'' (1931). He i ...
. In 1938, Pasternak did a comedy, ''
Youth Takes a Fling'', then was back with Durbin for ''
That Certain Age'' (1938), and ''
Three Smart Girls Grow Up'' (1939). In all, Pasternak made ten films with Durbin.
Pasternak soon discovered another talented soprano,
Gloria Jean, who began her own series in 1939, starting with ''
The Under-Pup
''The Under-Pup'' is a 1939 American feature film by Richard Wallace that introduced soprano singing star Gloria Jean to the screen.
Plot
The story, adapted by Grover Jones from a magazine story by Australian author I. A. R. Wylie, casts Gloria ...
'' (1939). He produced Durbin again in ''
First Love'' (1939). He had a large hit with the comedy Western ''
Destry Rides Again'' (1939), starring
Marlene Dietrich
Marie Magdalene "Marlene" DietrichBorn as Maria Magdalena, not Marie Magdalene, according to Dietrich's biography by her daughter, Maria Riva ; however Dietrich's biography by Charlotte Chandler cites "Marie Magdalene" as her birth name . (, ; ...
and
James Stewart
James Maitland Stewart (May 20, 1908 – July 2, 1997) was an American actor and military pilot. Known for his distinctive drawl and everyman screen persona, Stewart's film career spanned 80 films from 1935 to 1991. With the strong morality ...
, which helped revitalise Dietrich's career.
Pasternak alternated between the three female stars – with Durbin he did ''
It's a Date
''It's a Date'' is a 1940 American musical film directed by William A. Seiter and starring Deanna Durbin, Kay Francis, and Walter Pidgeon. Based on a story by Jane Hall, Frederick Kohner, and Ralph Block, the film is about an aspiring actress ...
'' (1940), ''
Spring Parade'' (1940) (a remake of his 1934 film), ''
Nice Girl?'' (1940) and ''
It Started with Eve'' (1941). With Jean he did ''
A Little Bit of Heaven'' (1940), a sort of sequel to ''The Under-Pup''. Finally, with Dietrich he did ''
Seven Sinners'' (1940) (with
John Wayne
Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne and nicknamed The Duke or Duke Wayne, was an American actor who became a popular icon through his starring roles in films made during Hollywood's Go ...
) and ''
The Flame of New Orleans'' (1941).
In June 1941, after finishing ''Eve'', Pasterrnak left Universal. Although he still had two years to run on his contract, he had "differences of opinion" with the studio's management, and by mutual consent the parties elected to terminate the contract.
MGM
In June 1941, Pasternak announced he had joined
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and abbreviated as MGM, is an American film, television production, distribution and media company owned by amazon (company), Amazon through MGM Holdings, founded o ...
as a producer for a reported $3,500 a week. Several studios had been interested in placing him under contract, but
Louis B. Mayer wanted Pasternak and allowed the producer several concessions. Mayer assigned young soprano
Kathryn Grayson, who had only made one film for MGM, to Pasternak's unit so that he might make her into a star like Durbin. Pasternak later sat on the executive committee and came to be regarded as one of the three most important persons in the company, alongside
Louis B. Mayer and Vice President Sam Katz.
At MGM he continued to produce operetta films, starting with ''
Seven Sweethearts
''Seven Sweethearts'' is a 1942 musical film directed by Frank Borzage and starring Kathryn Grayson, Marsha Hunt (actress, born 1917), Marsha Hunt and Van Heflin.
''Seven Sweethearts'' generated legal trouble seven years later. In 1949, Hungaria ...
'' (1942) starring Grayson, and ''
Presenting Lily Mars
''Presenting Lily Mars'' is a 1943 American musical comedy film directed by Norman Taurog, produced by Joe Pasternak, starring Judy Garland and Van Heflin, and based on the novel by Booth Tarkington. The film is often cited as Garland's first film ...
'' (1943) starring
Judy Garland
Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm; June 10, 1922June 22, 1969) was an American actress and singer. While critically acclaimed for many different roles throughout her career, she is widely known for playing the part of Dorothy Gale in '' The ...
. Both films were successful at the box-office.
[.] Pasternak followed these with ''
Thousands Cheer
''Thousands Cheer'' is a 1943 American musical comedy film directed by George Sidney and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Produced at the height of the Second World War, the film was intended as a morale booster for American troops and their fam ...
'' (1943) with Grayson and
Gene Kelly
Eugene Curran Kelly (August 23, 1912 – February 2, 1996) was an American actor, dancer, singer, filmmaker, and choreographer. He was known for his energetic and athletic dancing style and sought to create a new form of American dance accessibl ...
, which was a huge hit; ''
Song of Russia'' (1944), a musical which later became problematic because of its pro-Russian viewpoint; ''
Two Girls and a Sailor'' (1944) with
June Allyson
June Allyson (born Eleanor Geisman; October 7, 1917 – July 8, 2006) was an American stage, film, and television actress, dancer, and singer.
Allyson began her career in 1937 as a dancer in short subject films and on Broadway in 1938. She sig ...
,
Van Johnson
Charles Van Dell Johnson (August 25, 1916 – December 12, 2008) was an American film, television, theatre and radio actor. He was a major star at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer during and after World War II.
Johnson was described as the embodiment ...
and
Gloria DeHaven, and ''
Music for Millions'' (1944) with Allyson and
Margaret O'Brien
Angela Maxine O'Brien (born January 15, 1937) is an American film, radio, television, and stage actress, and is one of the last surviving stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood cinema. Beginning a prolific career as a child actress in feature ...
. All these films were hits.
Pasternak was responsible for
Esther Williams
Esther Jane Williams (August 8, 1921 – June 6, 2013) was an American competitive swimmer and actress. She set regional and national records in her late teens on the Los Angeles Athletic Club swim team. Unable to compete in the 1940 Summer Ol ...
' first proper vehicle, ''
Thrill of a Romance
''Thrill of a Romance'' (also known as ''Thrill of a New Romance'') is an American Technicolor romance film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1945, starring Van Johnson, Esther Williams and Carleton G. Young, with musical performances by Tommy ...
'' (1945), co-starring
Van Johnson
Charles Van Dell Johnson (August 25, 1916 – December 12, 2008) was an American film, television, theatre and radio actor. He was a major star at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer during and after World War II.
Johnson was described as the embodiment ...
; it made over $3 million in profits. Similarly well received by audiences was ''
Anchors Aweigh
"Anchors Aweigh" is the fight song of the United States Naval Academy and unofficial march song of the United States Navy. It was composed in 1906 by Charles A. Zimmermann with lyrics by Alfred Hart Miles. When he composed "Anchors Aweigh", Zim ...
'' (1945) with Grayson,
Gene Kelly
Eugene Curran Kelly (August 23, 1912 – February 2, 1996) was an American actor, dancer, singer, filmmaker, and choreographer. He was known for his energetic and athletic dancing style and sought to create a new form of American dance accessibl ...
and
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert Sinatra (; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Nicknamed the " Chairman of the Board" and later called "Ol' Blue Eyes", Sinatra was one of the most popular entertainers of the 1940s, 1950s, and ...
. Pasternak also made several non-musical romantic comedy hits, including ''
Her Highness and the Bellboy'' (1945) with
Hedy Lamarr
Hedy Lamarr (; born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler; November 9, 1914 January 19, 2000) was an Austrian-born American film actress and inventor. A film star during Hollywood's golden age, Lamarr has been described as one of the greatest movie actress ...
and
Robert Walker, and ''
No Leave, No Love
''No Leave, No Love '' is a 1946 American musical film directed by Charles Martin and starring Van Johnson, Keenan Wynn and Pat Kirkwood.
Plot
The story concerns Mike, a Marine and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, who returns wit ...
'' (1946) with Johnson.
However, around this time Pasternak mostly specialized in musicals: ''
Two Sisters from Boston'' (1946) with Grayson and Allyson was a box-office success, as was, ''
Holiday in Mexico
''Holiday in Mexico'' is a 1946 Technicolor musical directed by George Sidney and starring Walter Pidgeon, Jane Powell, and Ilona Massey.
Plot
The film starts with a brief cartoon of telephone wires from Washington, DC trying to call Mexico. Jef ...
'' (1946) with
Walter Pidgeon and
Jane Powell in her debut for MGM. However, ''
The Unfinished Dance'' (1947) with O'Brien and
Cyd Charisse
Cyd Charisse (born Tula Ellice Finklea; March 8, 1922 – June 17, 2008) was an American actress and dancer.
After recovering from polio as a child and studying ballet, Charisse entered films in the 1940s. Her roles usually featured her abilit ...
lost over a million dollars – the first Pasternak MGM film to do so.
''
This Time for Keeps'' (1947) with Esther Williams, was profitable.
In 1948 Pasternak had very mixed results. ''
Three Daring Daughters
''Three Daring Daughters'' (UK title: ''The Birds and the Bees'') is a 1948 musical Technicolor film directed by Fred M. Wilcox and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The screenplay was written by Albert Mannheimer, Frederick Kohner, Sonya Levien ...
'' in 1948 with Powell and
Jeanette MacDonald
Jeanette Anna MacDonald (June 18, 1903 – January 14, 1965) was an American singer and actress best remembered for her musical films of the 1930s with Maurice Chevalier (''The Love Parade'', '' Love Me Tonight'', ''The Merry Widow'' and '' On ...
, while popular, lost money. Pasternak also tried his first drama in the U.S. with ''
Big City'' (1948), starring O'Brien, which was a big money loser. More popular were the 1948 musicals ''
On an Island with You'' with Williams; ''
A Date with Judy'' with Jane Powell,
Wallace Beery
Wallace Fitzgerald Beery (April 1, 1885 – April 15, 1949) was an American film and stage actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Bill in '' Min and Bill'' (1930) opposite Marie Dressler, as General Director Preysing in '' Grand Hotel'' ( ...
and
Elizabeth Taylor
Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor (February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011) was a British-American actress. She began her career as a child actress in the early 1940s and was one of the most popular stars of classical Hollywood cinema in the 1950s. ...
; and ''
Luxury Liner'' again with Powell. Pasternak unfortunately had a big flop with the Sinatra-Grayson musical ''
The Kissing Bandit'' that same year, which lost MGM over $2 million.
Pasternak bounced back with ''
In the Good Old Summertime'' (1949) with Garland and Johnson, and introduced
Mario Lanza in ''
That Midnight Kiss'' with Kathryn Grayson, which was a solid hit. ''
Nancy Goes to Rio
''Nancy Goes to Rio'' is a Technicolor musical comedy film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1950. It was directed by Robert Z. Leonard and produced by Joe Pasternak from a screenplay by Sidney Sheldon, based on a story by Ralph Block, Fred ...
'' with Powell, a remake of ''It's a Date'', made a minor loss. In 1950, ''
The Toast of New Orleans'' with Grayson was a solid hit, as was ''
Duchess of Idaho
Duke is a male title either of a monarch ruling over a duchy, or of a member of royalty, or nobility. As rulers, dukes are ranked below emperors, kings, grand princes, grand dukes, and sovereign princes. As royalty or nobility, they are ranke ...
'' with Williams. Pasternak produced the final Judy Garland film at MGM, ''
Summer Stock
In American theater, summer-stock theater is a theater that presents stage productions only in the summer. The name combines the season with the tradition of staging shows by a resident company, reusing stock scenery and costumes. Summer stock th ...
'' in 1950, co-starring Gene Kelly, and then had the biggest hit of his career to date with ''
The Great Caruso
''The Great Caruso'' is a 1951 biographical film made by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and starring Mario Lanza as Enrico Caruso. It was directed by Richard Thorpe and produced by Joe Pasternak with Jesse L. Lasky as associate producer from a screenpla ...
'' (1951), a vehicle for
Mario Lanza which made almost $4 million in profit for the studio.
After the popular ''
Rich, Young and Pretty'' (1951) with Powell, Pasternak made a film noir with
Mickey Rooney
Mickey Rooney (born Joseph Yule Jr.; other pseudonym Mickey Maguire; September 23, 1920 – April 6, 2014) was an American actor. In a career spanning nine decades, he appeared in more than 300 films and was among the last surviving stars of the ...
, ''
The Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is a stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard South in Clark County, Nevada, that is known for its concentration of resort hotels and casinos. The Strip, as it is known, is about long, and is immediately south of the Las Vegas city ...
'' (1951) which flopped.
More typical was ''
Skirts Ahoy!
''Skirts Ahoy!'' is a 1952 MGM musical film directed by Sidney Lanfield and starring Esther Williams, Vivian Blaine and Joan Evans. It was shot in Technicolor. The film follows the adventures of several women who join the WAVES with sequences fi ...
'' (1952) with Esther Williams; ''
The Merry Widow
''The Merry Widow'' (german: Die lustige Witwe, links=no ) is an operetta by the Austro-Hungarian composer Franz Lehár. The librettists, Viktor Léon and Leo Stein, based the story – concerning a rich widow, and her countrymen's attempt ...
'' (1952) with
Lana Turner and
Fernando Lamas
Fernando Álvaro Lamas y de Santos (January 9, 1915 – October 8, 1982) was an Argentine-American actor and director, and the father of actor Lorenzo Lamas.
Biography Argentina
Fernando Álvaro Lamas y de Santos was born in Buenos Aires, Ar ...
; and ''
Because You're Mine
''Because You're Mine'' is a 1952 musical comedy film starring Mario Lanza. Directed by Alexander Hall, the film also stars Doretta Morrow, James Whitmore, and Dean Miller.
Plot
Opera singer superstar Renato Rossano (Mario Lanza) is drafted i ...
'' (1952) with Lanza. ''
Small Town Girl'' (1953) with Powell lost money, as did ''
Latin Lovers'' (1953) with Turner and
Ricardo Montalbán
Ricardo Gonzalo Pedro Montalbán y Merino, KSG (; ; November 25, 1920 – January 14, 2009) was a Mexican and American film and television actor. Montalbán's career spanned seven decades, during which he became known for performances in a var ...
, but ''
Easy to Love'' (1953) with Williams and Johnson was another hit.
Pasternak again tried a drama, this time with Turner, ''
Flame and the Flesh'' (1954), but it was not a notable success. However, ''
The Student Prince'' (1954) with
Ann Blyth
Ann Marie Blyth (born August 16, 1928) is an American retired actress and singer. For her performance as Veda in the 1945 Michael Curtiz film ''Mildred Pierce'', Blyth was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She is one of ...
and
Edmund Purdom miming to Mario Lanza singing, was a huge success. Pasternak did ''
Hit the Deck'' (1955) with Powell,
Vic Damone and
Debbie Reynolds
Mary Frances "Debbie" Reynolds (April 1, 1932 – December 28, 2016) was an American actress, singer, and businesswoman. Her career spanned almost 70 years. She was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer for her portra ...
, which was popular but failed to recoup its cost. ''
Athena
Athena or Athene, often given the epithet Pallas, is an ancient Greek goddess associated with wisdom, warfare, and handicraft who was later syncretized with the Roman goddess Minerva. Athena was regarded as the patron and protectress of v ...
'' in 1955 with Powell, Reynolds, Damone and Purdom, was a straight out flop. ''
Meet Me in Las Vegas'' (1955) with Charisse was well received, but failed to recoup its cost.
The industry was changing, and musicals were becoming increasingly unprofitable for MGM. Conversely, a tough biopic Pasternak produced about
Ruth Etting, ''
Love Me or Leave Me'' (1955), starring
Doris Day
Doris Day (born Doris Mary Kappelhoff; April 3, 1922 – May 13, 2019) was an American actress, singer, and activist. She began her career as a big band singer in 1939, achieving commercial success in 1945 with two No. 1 recordings, " Sent ...
and
James Cagney
James Francis Cagney Jr. (; July 17, 1899March 30, 1986) was an American actor, dancer and film director. On stage and in film, Cagney was known for his consistently energetic performances, distinctive vocal style, and deadpan comic timing. He ...
, was a hit. In 1956, Pasternak published his memoir, ''Easy the Hard Way''. Pasternak had two big flop musicals, ''
The Opposite Sex
''The Opposite Sex'' is a 1956 American musical romantic comedy film shot in Metrocolor and CinemaScope. The film was directed by David Miller and stars June Allyson, Joan Collins, Dolores Gray, Ann Sheridan, and Ann Miller, with Leslie Nielsen ...
'' (1956), a remake of ''The Women'' with Allyson, and ''
Ten Thousand Bedrooms'' (1957) with
Dean Martin
Dean Martin (born Dino Paul Crocetti; June 7, 1917 – December 25, 1995) was an American singer, actor and comedian. One of the most popular and enduring American entertainers of the mid-20th century, Martin was nicknamed "The King of Cool". M ...
. Also unsuccessful was the
Jean Simmons
Jean Merilyn Simmons, (31 January 1929 – 22 January 2010) was a British actress and singer. One of J. Arthur Rank's "well-spoken young starlets", she appeared predominantly in films, beginning with those made in Great Britain during and aft ...
comedy ''
This Could Be the Night'' (also 1957). It was then time for a change.
Euterpe
In April 1956, Pasternak left MGM after 14 years. He set up the independent production company Euterpe with Sam Katz. They made an agreement with
Columbia
Columbia may refer to:
* Columbia (personification), the historical female national personification of the United States, and a poetic name for America
Places North America Natural features
* Columbia Plateau, a geologic and geographic region i ...
to finance their films, and announced several projects: ''The Chiselers'' starring
Alan Ladd
Alan Walbridge Ladd (September 3, 1913 – January 29, 1964) was an American actor and film producer. Ladd found success in film in the 1940s and early 1950s, particularly in films noir and Westerns. He was often paired with Veronica Lake ...
; ''Three Blondes''; ''Gidget'', based on
the novel
''The Novel'' (1991) is a novel written by American author James A. Michener. A departure from Michener's better known historical fiction, ''The Novel'' is told from the viewpoints of four different characters involved in the life and work of ...
by
Frederick Kohner
Friedrich Kohner (September 25, 1905 – July 7, 1986), credited professionally as Frederick Kohner, was an Austrian-born novelist and screenwriter, both in Germany and the U.S..
He is best known for having created the "Gidget" novels, which ins ...
; and ''Nora'', an original screenplay by
Felix Jackson
Felix Jackson (born Felix Joachimson; June 5, 1902 – December 7, 1992) was a German-born American screenwriter and film producer.
Biography
Jackson was born in Hamburg. He was a city editor in Germany at 21, then a dramatic and music critic, ...
. However Euterpe and Columbia could not come to terms and dissolved their agreement in November 1957.
Pasternak set up Euterpe back at MGM. He was an immediate success, turning out four hits in a row: a highly regarded thriller, ''
Party Girl
A party is a gathering of people who have been invited by a host for the purposes of socializing, conversation, recreation, or as part of a festival or other commemoration or celebration of a special occasion. A party will often feature fo ...
'' (1958), with
Robert Taylor and
Cyd Charisse
Cyd Charisse (born Tula Ellice Finklea; March 8, 1922 – June 17, 2008) was an American actress and dancer.
After recovering from polio as a child and studying ballet, Charisse entered films in the 1940s. Her roles usually featured her abilit ...
; two comedies with
David Niven
James David Graham Niven (; 1 March 1910 – 29 July 1983) was a British actor, soldier, memoirist, and novelist. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as Major Pollock in '' Separate Tables'' (1958). Niven's other roles ...
: ''
Ask Any Girl'' (1959) with
Shirley MacLaine
Shirley MacLaine (born Shirley MacLean Beaty, April 24, 1934) is an American actress, author, and former dancer. Known for her portrayals of quirky, strong-willed and eccentric women, MacLaine has received numerous accolades over her seven-dec ...
and ''
Please Don't Eat the Daisies
''Please Don't Eat the Daisies'' (New York: Doubleday, 1957) is a best-selling collection of humorous essays by American humorist and playwright Jean Kerr about suburban living and raising four boys. The essays do not have a plot or through-sto ...
'' (1960) with Day; and a teen comedy, ''
Where the Boys Are
''Where the Boys Are'' is a 1960 American CinemaScope comedy film directed by Henry Levin and starring Connie Francis, Dolores Hart, Paula Prentiss, George Hamilton, Yvette Mimieux, Jim Hutton, and Frank Gorshin. It was written by George ...
'' (1960), which introduced a group of new stars:
George Hamilton,
Dolores Hart,
Yvette Mimieux
Yvette Carmen Mimieux (January 8, 1942 – January 18, 2022) was an American film and television actress. Her breakout role was in '' The Time Machine'' (1960). She was nominated for three Golden Globe Awards during her acting career.
Early li ...
,
Connie Francis
Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero (born December 12, 1937),
known professionally as Connie Francis, is an American pop singer, actress, and top-charting female vocalist of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Called the “First Lady of Rock & Roll” ...
,
Jim Hutton, and
Paula Prentiss.
In the 1960s, Pasternak produced a mix of hits and misses. He reunited Hutton and Prentiss in ''
The Horizontal Lieutenant
''The Horizontal Lieutenant'' is a 1962 American romantic comedy war film, based on the 1961 novel ''The Bottletop Affair'' by Gordon Cotler who was a Japanese interpreter for US Army Intelligence during World War II. It is a military comedy abou ...
'' (1962) but it was not as popular as ''Boys''. Then he had a failure with ''
Billy Rose's Jumbo'' (1962) starring Day, which lost almost $4 million.
However, Pasternak responded with a comedy starring
Glenn Ford
Gwyllyn Samuel Newton "Glenn" Ford (May 1, 1916 – August 30, 2006) was a Canadian-American actor who often portrayed ordinary men in unusual circumstances. Ford was most prominent during Hollywood's Golden Age as one of the biggest box-offi ...
, ''
The Courtship of Eddie's Father
''The Courtship of Eddie's Father'' is an American sitcom based on the 1963 film of the same name, which was based on a novel by Mark Toby (edited by Dorothy Wilson).
The series is about a widower, Tom Corbett (played by Bill Bixby), who is a ...
'' (1963) that was a hit; the film featured Ronny Howard (later known as
Ron Howard
Ronald William Howard (born March 1, 1954) is an American director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. He first came to prominence as a child actor, guest-starring in several television series, including an episode of '' The Twilight Zone''. ...
), showing the producer still retained an ability to discover young performers. Less successful was ''
A Ticklish Affair'' (1963) with
Shirley Jones
Shirley Mae Jones (born March 31, 1934) is an American actress and singer. In her six decades in show business, she has starred as wholesome characters in a number of musical films, such as '' Oklahoma!'' (1955), ''Carousel'' (1956), and ''The M ...
and ''
Looking for Love'' (1964) with Francis and Hutton. He did a poorly-received musical with
Ann-Margret
Ann-Margret Olsson (born April 28, 1941) is a Swedish–American actress, singer, and dancer. As an actress and singer, she is credited as Ann-Margret.
She is known for her roles in '' Pocketful of Miracles'' (1961), ''State Fair'' (1962), '' ...
(in a part turned down by Doris Day), ''
Made in Paris
''Made in Paris'' is a 1966 American romantic comedy film starring Louis Jourdan, Ann-Margret, Richard Crenna, Edie Adams, and Chad Everett. The film was written by Stanley Roberts and directed by Boris Sagal.
Plot
A redheaded American girl fr ...
'' (1966), then made two
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), or simply Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the " King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. His ener ...
films co-starring
Shelley Fabares
Michele Ann Marie "Shelley" Fabares (; born January 19, 1944) is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her television roles as Mary Stone on the sitcom '' The Donna Reed Show'' (1958–1963) and as Christine Armstrong on the sitco ...
, ''
Girl Happy'' (1965) and ''
Spinout
Spinout or Spin Out may refer to:
* Corporate spin-off, also known as a spin-out, a type of corporate action where a company turns a portion of itself into a separate business
*Spinout (driving), failure when braking
Entertainment
* ''Spinout (fi ...
'' (1966), both of which made money. He also did a
Natalie Wood
Natalie Wood ( Zacharenko; July 20, 1938 – November 29, 1981) was an American actress who began her career in film as a child and successfully transitioned to young adult roles.
Wood started acting at age four and was given a co-starring r ...
comedy ''
Penelope
Penelope ( ; Ancient Greek: Πηνελόπεια, ''Pēnelópeia'', or el, Πηνελόπη, ''Pēnelópē'') is a character in Homer's ''Odyssey.'' She was the queen of Ithaca and was the daughter of Spartan king Icarius and naiad Periboea. Pe ...
'' (1966), which was a box-office disappointment.
Pasternak produced the 1965, 1966 and 1967 Academy Awards. In 1966 he was honored with a retrospective of his work.
20th Century Fox
In 1967, Pasternak left MGM and became affiliated with
20th Century Fox
20th Century Studios, Inc. (previously known as 20th Century Fox) is an American film production company headquartered at the Fox Studio Lot in the Century City area of Los Angeles. As of 2019, it serves as a film production arm of Walt Disn ...
, but made only one film for Fox, ''
The Sweet Ride'' (1968). Pasternak had a stroke before filming, and ''Sweet Ride'' would turn out to be his last film. In 1968, he was also stricken with
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease (PD), or simply Parkinson's, is a long-term degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that mainly affects the motor system. The symptoms usually emerge slowly, and as the disease worsens, non-motor symptoms beco ...
. He recovered slightly two years later but made no more films. He said at the time: "I am proud that I have produced 105 pictures and not one of them is adults only."
In 1980, he estimated his films had earned $400 million. "If I had a percentage I'd be the richest man in town", he said.
His career as a film producer spanned 40 years and earned him two
Oscar nominations and three
Golden Globe Award
The Golden Globe Awards are accolades bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association beginning in January 1944, recognizing excellence in both American and international film and television. Beginning in 2022, there are 105 members of ...
nominations. He retired in 1968.
Personal
Pasternak is the father of Michael Joseph Pasternak, the radio disk jockey known as
Emperor Rosko; Jeff Pasternak, a playwright and songwriter; and Peter Pasternak, a music industry professional. He was married to Dorothy.
Pasternak also authored a lovely and knowledgeable cookbook entitled ''Cooking with Love and Paprika'', published by
Bernard Geis Associates
Bernard J. Geis (August 30, 1909 – January 8, 2001) was an American editor and publisher who founded the now-defunct Bernard Geis Associates, which published and promoted several best-sellers in the 1960s and 70s, including Jacqueline Susann's ...
in 1966. The book is peppered with stories of dinner parties, entertaining tips, his life history, and delicious Hungarian recipes.
Death and tribute
Joe Pasternak died in
Beverly Hills, California
Beverly Hills is a city located in Los Angeles County, California. A notable and historic suburb of Greater Los Angeles, it is in a wealthy area immediately southwest of the Hollywood Hills, approximately northwest of downtown Los Angeles. ...
from complications arising from Parkinson's disease six days before his 90th birthday. He is interred in the
Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery
The Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary is a Jewish cemetery located at 6001 West Centinela Avenue, in Culver City, California. Many Jews from the entertainment industry are buried here. The cemetery is known for Al Jolson's elaborate tomb (desig ...
in
Culver City, California
Culver City is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,779. Founded in 1917 as a "whites only" sundown town, it is now an ethnically diverse city with what was called the "third-most ...
. For his contribution to the motion picture industry, Joe Pasternak has a star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a historic landmark which consists of more than 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, Calif ...
at 1541 N. Vine Street.
David Chandler (writer)
David Chandler (June 2, 1912 – October 19, 1990) was an American screenwriter, novelist and playwright. He published a dozen novels, and wrote screenplays for feature films and TV series. He recorded and wrote the autobiography of Joe Pasternak ...
recorded and wrote the autobiography of Joe Pasternak, ''Easy the Hard Way'', published by G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York 1956.
Partial filmography
* ''
Ludwig II, King of Bavaria'' (1929)
* ''
Rustle of Spring'' (1929)
* ''
Secret Police
Secret police (or political police) are intelligence, security or police agencies that engage in covert operations against a government's political, religious, or social opponents and dissidents. Secret police organizations are characteristic ...
'' (1929)
* ''
The Daredevil Reporter
''The Daredevil Reporter'' (German: ''Der Teufelsreporter'') is a 1929 German silent thriller film directed by Ernst Laemmle and starring Eddie Polo, Gritta Ley and Maria Forescu. It was the first credited screenplay by Billy Wilder.Smedley p.1 ...
'' (1929)
* ''
Two People'' (1930)
* ''
Witnesses Wanted
''Witnesses Wanted'' (German: ''Zeugen gesucht'') is a 1930 German silent mystery film directed by Edmund Heuberger and starring Eddie Polo, Lotte Stein and Kurt Brenkendorf.Wottrich p.176
The film's sets were designed by the art directors Gus ...
'' (1930)
* ''
Of Life and Death
''Of Life and Death'' (german: Auf Leben und Tod) is a 1930 German thriller film directed by Edmund Heuberger and starring Eddie Polo, Rina Marsa and Lotte Stein.Krautz p. 344 It was shot at the Johannisthal Studios in Berlin. The film's sets ...
'' (1930)
* ''
Next, Please!
''Next, Please!'' (german: Der Nächste, bitte!) is a 1930 German comedy film directed by Erich Schönfelder and starring Charles Puffy, Adele Sandrock, and Albert Paulig.
The film's sets were designed by the art directors Gustav A. Knauer ...
'' (1930)
* ''
The Night Without Pause'' (1931)
* ''
I Go Out and You Stay Here
''I Go Out and You Stay Here'' (german: Ich geh' aus und Du bleibst da) is a 1931 German comedy film directed by Hans Behrendt and starring Camilla Horn, Berthe Ostyn, and Hermine Sterler. A separate French-language film was also produced.
The ...
'' (1931)
* ''
Bobby Gets Going
''Bobby Gets Going'' (German: ''Bobby geht los'') is a 1931 German comedy action film directed by and starring Harry Piel and also featuring Annie Markart, Hilde Hildebrand and Kurt Lilien. It was shot at the EFA Studios in Halensee and on locat ...
'' (1931)
* ''
Five from the Jazz Band
''Five from the Jazz Band'' (german: Fünf von der Jazzband) is a 1932 German musical comedy film directed by Erich Engel and starring Jenny Jugo, Rolf von Goth, and Fritz Klippel. It is based on a 1927 play of the same name by Felix Jackson, ...
'' (1932)
* ''
The Rebel'' (1932)
* ''
A Tremendously Rich Man
''A Tremendously Rich Man'' (German: ''Ein steinreicher Mann'') is a 1932 German comedy film directed by Steve Sekely and starring Curt Bois, Dolly Haas and Adele Sandrock. It premiered on 13 February 1932. The film was a co-production betwee ...
'' (1932)
* ''
Secret Agent'' (1932)
* ''
The Invisible Front'' (1932)
* ''
Scandal in Budapest
''Scandal in Budapest'' (german: Skandal in Budapest) is a 1933 German-Hungarian comedy film, filmed in Hungary in the German language and directed by Géza von Bolváry and Istvan Szekely and starring Franciska Gaal, Werner Pledath, and Lotte ...
'' (1933)
* ''
Peter'' (1934)
* ''
Spring Parade'' (1934)
* ''
A Precocious Girl
''A Precocious Girl'' (German title: ''Csibi, der Fratz'' aka ''Früchtchen'') is a 1934 Austrian comedy film directed by Max Neufeld and Richard Eichberg and starring Franciska Gaal, Leopoldine Konstantin and Herbert Hübner. The film's sets we ...
'' (1934)
* ''
Little Mother'' (1935)
* ''
Catherine the Last
''Catherine the Last'' (German: ''Katharina, die Letzte'') is a 1936 Austrian romantic comedy film directed by Henry Koster and starring Franciska Gaal, Hans Holt and Hans Olden.Bock & Bergfelder p.257 It was made by the Austrian subsidiary of U ...
'' (1936)
*''
Three Smart Girls'' (1936)
*''
One Hundred Men and a Girl'' (1937)
*''
Mad About Music'' (1938)
*''
Youth Takes a Fling'' (1938)
*''
That Certain Age'' (1938)
*''
Three Smart Girls Grow Up'' (1938)
*''
The Under-Pup
''The Under-Pup'' is a 1939 American feature film by Richard Wallace that introduced soprano singing star Gloria Jean to the screen.
Plot
The story, adapted by Grover Jones from a magazine story by Australian author I. A. R. Wylie, casts Gloria ...
'' (1939)
*''
First Love'' (1939)
*''
Destry Rides Again '' (1939)
*''
It's a Date
''It's a Date'' is a 1940 American musical film directed by William A. Seiter and starring Deanna Durbin, Kay Francis, and Walter Pidgeon. Based on a story by Jane Hall, Frederick Kohner, and Ralph Block, the film is about an aspiring actress ...
'' (1940)
*''
Spring Parade'' (1940)
*''
A Little Bit of Heaven'' (1940)
*''
Seven Sinners'' (1940)
*''
Nice Girl?'' (1940)
*''
The Flame of New Orleans'' (1941)
*''
It Started with Eve'' (1941)
*''
Seven Sweethearts
''Seven Sweethearts'' is a 1942 musical film directed by Frank Borzage and starring Kathryn Grayson, Marsha Hunt (actress, born 1917), Marsha Hunt and Van Heflin.
''Seven Sweethearts'' generated legal trouble seven years later. In 1949, Hungaria ...
'' (1942)
*''
Presenting Lily Mars
''Presenting Lily Mars'' is a 1943 American musical comedy film directed by Norman Taurog, produced by Joe Pasternak, starring Judy Garland and Van Heflin, and based on the novel by Booth Tarkington. The film is often cited as Garland's first film ...
'' (1943)
*''
Thousands Cheer
''Thousands Cheer'' is a 1943 American musical comedy film directed by George Sidney and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Produced at the height of the Second World War, the film was intended as a morale booster for American troops and their fam ...
'' (1943)
*''
Song of Russia'' (1944)
*''
Two Girls and a Sailor'' (1944)
*''
Music for Millions'' (1944)
*''
Thrill of a Romance
''Thrill of a Romance'' (also known as ''Thrill of a New Romance'') is an American Technicolor romance film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1945, starring Van Johnson, Esther Williams and Carleton G. Young, with musical performances by Tommy ...
'' (1945)
*''
Anchors Aweigh
"Anchors Aweigh" is the fight song of the United States Naval Academy and unofficial march song of the United States Navy. It was composed in 1906 by Charles A. Zimmermann with lyrics by Alfred Hart Miles. When he composed "Anchors Aweigh", Zim ...
'' (1945)
*''
Her Highness and the Bellboy'' (1945)
*''
Two Sisters from Boston'' (1946)
*''
Holiday in Mexico
''Holiday in Mexico'' is a 1946 Technicolor musical directed by George Sidney and starring Walter Pidgeon, Jane Powell, and Ilona Massey.
Plot
The film starts with a brief cartoon of telephone wires from Washington, DC trying to call Mexico. Jef ...
'' (1946)
*''
No Leave, No Love
''No Leave, No Love '' is a 1946 American musical film directed by Charles Martin and starring Van Johnson, Keenan Wynn and Pat Kirkwood.
Plot
The story concerns Mike, a Marine and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, who returns wit ...
'' (1946)
*''
The Unfinished Dance'' (1947)
*''
This Time for Keeps'' (1947)
*''
Three Daring Daughters
''Three Daring Daughters'' (UK title: ''The Birds and the Bees'') is a 1948 musical Technicolor film directed by Fred M. Wilcox and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The screenplay was written by Albert Mannheimer, Frederick Kohner, Sonya Levien ...
'' (1948)
*''
Big City'' (1948)
*''
On an Island with You'' (1948)
*''
A Date with Judy'' (1948)
*''
Luxury Liner'' (1948)
*''
The Kissing Bandit'' (1948)
*''
In the Good Old Summertime'' (1949)
*''
That Midnight Kiss'' (1949)
*''
Nancy Goes to Rio
''Nancy Goes to Rio'' is a Technicolor musical comedy film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1950. It was directed by Robert Z. Leonard and produced by Joe Pasternak from a screenplay by Sidney Sheldon, based on a story by Ralph Block, Fred ...
'' (1950)
*''
Duchess of Idaho
Duke is a male title either of a monarch ruling over a duchy, or of a member of royalty, or nobility. As rulers, dukes are ranked below emperors, kings, grand princes, grand dukes, and sovereign princes. As royalty or nobility, they are ranke ...
'' (1950)
*''
The Toast of New Orleans'' (1950)
*''
Summer Stock
In American theater, summer-stock theater is a theater that presents stage productions only in the summer. The name combines the season with the tradition of staging shows by a resident company, reusing stock scenery and costumes. Summer stock th ...
'' (1950)
*''
The Great Caruso
''The Great Caruso'' is a 1951 biographical film made by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and starring Mario Lanza as Enrico Caruso. It was directed by Richard Thorpe and produced by Joe Pasternak with Jesse L. Lasky as associate producer from a screenpla ...
'' (1951)
*''
Rich, Young and Pretty'' (1951)
*''
The Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is a stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard South in Clark County, Nevada, that is known for its concentration of resort hotels and casinos. The Strip, as it is known, is about long, and is immediately south of the Las Vegas city ...
'' (1951)
*''
Skirts Ahoy!
''Skirts Ahoy!'' is a 1952 MGM musical film directed by Sidney Lanfield and starring Esther Williams, Vivian Blaine and Joan Evans. It was shot in Technicolor. The film follows the adventures of several women who join the WAVES with sequences fi ...
'' (1952)
*''
The Merry Widow
''The Merry Widow'' (german: Die lustige Witwe, links=no ) is an operetta by the Austro-Hungarian composer Franz Lehár. The librettists, Viktor Léon and Leo Stein, based the story – concerning a rich widow, and her countrymen's attempt ...
'' (1952)
*''
Because You're Mine
''Because You're Mine'' is a 1952 musical comedy film starring Mario Lanza. Directed by Alexander Hall, the film also stars Doretta Morrow, James Whitmore, and Dean Miller.
Plot
Opera singer superstar Renato Rossano (Mario Lanza) is drafted i ...
'' (1952)
*''
Small Town Girl'' (1953)
*''
Latin Lovers'' (1953)
*''
Easy to Love'' (1953)
*''
Flame and the Flesh'' (1954)
*''
The Student Prince'' (1954)
*''
Athena
Athena or Athene, often given the epithet Pallas, is an ancient Greek goddess associated with wisdom, warfare, and handicraft who was later syncretized with the Roman goddess Minerva. Athena was regarded as the patron and protectress of v ...
'' (1954)
*''
Hit the Deck'' (1955)
*''
Love Me or Leave Me'' (1955)
*''
Meet Me in Las Vegas'' (1956)
*''
The Opposite Sex
''The Opposite Sex'' is a 1956 American musical romantic comedy film shot in Metrocolor and CinemaScope. The film was directed by David Miller and stars June Allyson, Joan Collins, Dolores Gray, Ann Sheridan, and Ann Miller, with Leslie Nielsen ...
'' (1956)
*''
Ten Thousand Bedrooms'' (1957)
*''
This Could Be the Night'' (1957)
*''
Party Girl
A party is a gathering of people who have been invited by a host for the purposes of socializing, conversation, recreation, or as part of a festival or other commemoration or celebration of a special occasion. A party will often feature fo ...
'' (1958)
*''
Ask Any Girl'' (1959)
*''
Please Don't Eat the Daisies
''Please Don't Eat the Daisies'' (New York: Doubleday, 1957) is a best-selling collection of humorous essays by American humorist and playwright Jean Kerr about suburban living and raising four boys. The essays do not have a plot or through-sto ...
'' (1960)
*''
Where the Boys Are
''Where the Boys Are'' is a 1960 American CinemaScope comedy film directed by Henry Levin and starring Connie Francis, Dolores Hart, Paula Prentiss, George Hamilton, Yvette Mimieux, Jim Hutton, and Frank Gorshin. It was written by George ...
'' (1960)
*''
The Horizontal Lieutenant
''The Horizontal Lieutenant'' is a 1962 American romantic comedy war film, based on the 1961 novel ''The Bottletop Affair'' by Gordon Cotler who was a Japanese interpreter for US Army Intelligence during World War II. It is a military comedy abou ...
'' (1962)
*''
Billy Rose's Jumbo'' (1962)
*''
The Courtship of Eddie's Father
''The Courtship of Eddie's Father'' is an American sitcom based on the 1963 film of the same name, which was based on a novel by Mark Toby (edited by Dorothy Wilson).
The series is about a widower, Tom Corbett (played by Bill Bixby), who is a ...
'' (1963)
*''
A Ticklish Affair'' (1963)
*''
Looking for Love'' (1964)
*''
Girl Happy'' (1965)
*''
Spinout
Spinout or Spin Out may refer to:
* Corporate spin-off, also known as a spin-out, a type of corporate action where a company turns a portion of itself into a separate business
*Spinout (driving), failure when braking
Entertainment
* ''Spinout (fi ...
'' (1966)
*''
Made in Paris
''Made in Paris'' is a 1966 American romantic comedy film starring Louis Jourdan, Ann-Margret, Richard Crenna, Edie Adams, and Chad Everett. The film was written by Stanley Roberts and directed by Boris Sagal.
Plot
A redheaded American girl fr ...
'' (1966)
*''
Penelope
Penelope ( ; Ancient Greek: Πηνελόπεια, ''Pēnelópeia'', or el, Πηνελόπη, ''Pēnelópē'') is a character in Homer's ''Odyssey.'' She was the queen of Ithaca and was the daughter of Spartan king Icarius and naiad Periboea. Pe ...
'' (1966)
*''
The Sweet Ride'' (1968)
References
External links
*
*
Obituaryat
New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
Obituaryat Los Angeles Times
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pasternak, Joe
1901 births
1991 deaths
People from Șimleu Silvaniei
People from the Kingdom of Hungary
Hungarian Jews
American people of Hungarian-Jewish descent
American film producers
Burials at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery
Hungarian film producers
Neurological disease deaths in California
Deaths from Parkinson's disease
20th-century American businesspeople
Hungarian emigrants to the United States