Fade Out : The Calamitous Final Days of MGM [Paperback]

Peter Bart (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Poor top-management appointments by MGM owner Kirk Kerkorian dealt the fatal blow to the declining, once magnificent studio. "Readers may find this highly detailed expose difficult to digest" because of its "disjointed and unchronological" format, said PW . Still, Variety editor Bart remains "one of the most qualified insiders to aim a pen at major league moviemakers." Photos.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Bart, currently editor of Variety, was a senior vice-president at MGM/UA from 1983 until 1985. This experience forms the basis for an examination of financier Kirk Kerkorian's 20-year ownership of MGM. (The book's subtitle is a bit premature, as MGM is not dead: Kerkorian is still trying to sell the eviscerated company.) Most of the book focuses on the period when Bart was at the company and Frank Yablans was president. During this time the studio produced Yentl, Mrs. Soffel, and 2010 , among other films. As is usual in books of this sort, the author admits to few if any mistakes, but the book appears fair, and it is well written. A good choice for larger libraries and special collections.
- John Smothers, Monmouth Cty. Lib., Manalapan, N.J.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: Anchor (September 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385418922
• ISBN-13: 978-0385418928
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,951,239 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating insider's look at MGM's decline, December 24, 1998

By 

David Roberts (Llandudno, North Wales) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fade Out: The Calamitous Final Days of MGM (Hardcover)

For anyone interested in the business machinations of the Hollywood film studios, this is a must. The absorbing story of how the film studio that once boasted 'more stars than there are in heaven' ended up a 1980's corporate wreck. Starts out in 1969 when billionaire Kirk Kerkorian bought MGM, chronicles the few ups (and many downs), finishing up with the studio's sale to Giancarlo Paretti and Mr. Bart's assertion that 'an era ends when its dreams are exhausted. MGM's era has clearly ended'. I quite agree with this but MGM seems determined to cling to life,feeding on the fading memories of its glorious past. Excellent stuff! If you read this, Mr. Bart, it's a great book but how about an updated version, to take account of the new period of Kerkorian's ownership?

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Curious about the origins of "Rain Man"?, July 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Fade Out : The Calamitous Final Days of MGM (Paperback)

If you are, or you enjoy getting a glimpse of how Hollywood really works, then this little gem is a must read. Bart's straighforward style and insider's viewpoint keeps this book going, and your interest level up. While it may be a little dated, the realities in the book continue to ring true today in what is going on in the film industry.