Eight programmes presented by Orson Welles
Written by Benny Green
'They were an extraordinary contrast. Mayer the ruthless brigand, Thalberg the artistic creator of films.'
'He knocked out Charlie Chaplin. He wanted to use Chaplin's name and Chaplin didn't want him to The upshot was that Charlie was on the floor and Mayer rubbing his fist.'
'Thalberg was very quiet, businesslike. A workoholic, and he knew exactly what made films tick and how to deal with artists in a way that brought out the best in them. I think everyone liked Thalberg. He could be a bit cold at times but never abusive or tyrannical as Mayer could be.'
'His greatest find was Greta Garbo.'
(John Douglas Eames)
with the voices of Jackie Cooper, John Douglas Eames, Jack Haley Jr., Joseph Mankiewicz, Rouben Malmoulian, Groucho Marx, Mickey Rooney, George Sidney, Leonard Spiegelgass, King Vidor and Billy Wilder
Research JANE MERCER and BILL SULLIVAN
Reporters BARBRA PASKIN and BILL SULLIVAN
Producer DAVID RAYVERN ALLEN
(Revised repeat) long wave only