Sam Katzman

Sam Katzman
Born (1901-07-07)July 7, 1901
New York City, New York
Died August 4, 1973(1973-08-04) (aged 72)
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
Occupation Film producer and director
Years active 1933–1973

Sam Katzman (July 7, 1901 – August 4, 1973) was an American film producer and director. Katzman produced low-budget genre films, including serials, which had proportionally high returns for the studios and his financial backers.[1]

Biography

Born to a Jewish family,[2] Katzman went to work as a stage laborer at the age of 13 in the fledgling East Coast film industry and moved from prop boy to assistant director at Fox Films.[3] He would learn all aspects of filmmaking and was a Hollywood producer for more than 40 years.[1]

After working as a producer of Bob Steele westerns at A. W. Hackel's Supreme Pictures, Katzman started his own studios, Victory Pictures and Puritan Pictures, in 1935. From 1935 to 1940 Victory produced two serials and 30 features, including Western film series starring Tom Tyler and Tim McCoy.[4] Puritan ceased production in 1937.

Monogram Pictures

In 1940, Katzman moved to Monogram Pictures and produced, under the names Banner Productions, Clover Productions and Four Leaf Productions, the East Side Kids features of the 1940s and several films starring Bela Lugosi.

Columbia Pictures

In 1945 he moved to Columbia Pictures, where he made Superman serial of 1948, the Jungle Jim series of the late 1940s to mid-1950s – acquiring the nickname "Jungle Sam" – a variety of second features, including many filmed in 3D, and a string of rock-'n'-roll musicals in the 1950s. His best known films are probably Earth vs. the Flying Saucers and The Werewolf (1956).

In 1947 he signed a $4 million contract to make six films and four features through his Esskay Pictures.[5] He specialised in making musicals shot over 9 days with a budget around $140,000 a film. For Prince of Thieves however he secured a budget of $400,000.[6]

In 1948 Katzman signed a seven-year contract to make four films a year through his Kay Pictures corporation, four serials a year via his Eskay Productions, as well as the Jungle Jim series.[7]

In 1953 he was to make at least 15 films a year.[8]

In 1955 it was announced Clover Productions would make 15 films for Columbia.[9][10]

MGM

At MGM in the 1960s, Katzman produced several Elvis Presley films, as well as the Herman's Hermits film Hold On! and singer Roy Orbison's only film, The Fastest Guitar Alive.[11]

In 1967 he signed a new contract with MGM to make at least two films a year.[12]

Personal life

He was the uncle of television producer Leonard Katzman.

He was married to Hortense Katzman. They married on the set of the film The Diplomats in 1928.[13]

She sued for divorce in 1955 but the two reconciled.[14]

Sam Katzman died on August 4, 1973, in Hollywood. He is interred in the Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California.

Quotation

“ Twist Around the Clock only cost $250,000 to make, but in less than six months it grossed six million - so of course I'm gonna make more 'Twist' movies! ”

NME - February 1962[15]

Selected filmography

As producer unless otherwise mentioned.

Unmade films

Bibliography

References

  1. 1 2 "Sam Katzman: He Makes The Serials.". The Sunday Herald (Sydney, NSW : 1949 - 1953). Sydney, NSW: National Library of Australia. 20 September 1953. p. 15. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
  2. ↑ Jewish Virtual Library: "Katzman, Sam" 2008
  3. ↑ p.48 Dixon, Wheeler W Lost in the Fifties: Recovering Phantom Hollywood Southern Illinois University Press; 1st edition (September 1, 2005)
  4. ↑ p. 438 Pitts, Michael R. Poverty Row Studios, 1929-1940: An Illustrated History of 53 Independent Film Companies, with a Filmography for Each McFarland & Company, 1 Jan 1997
  5. ↑ https://archive.org/stream/variety165-1947-01#page/n80/mode/1up
  6. ↑ Hollywood Survey: Sharp Drop in Production Noted -- Still Another Dumas Exploit -- Other Items By Thomas F. Brady. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 11 May 1947: X5.
  7. ↑ Italian-Made Feature Stars Patricia Medina; Prison Musical Readied Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 26 Oct 1948: A6.
  8. ↑ Drama: Garson in 'Interrupted Melody;' Bacon-Bergman and Bjork Deals on Fire Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 11 July 1952: B9.
  9. ↑ 'Can Can' Buy Inspires Cast Conjectures; 'Atom Brain Creature' On Way Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 28 July 1954: 15.
  10. ↑ Sinatra to Star in Musical Film: He Will Appear in Lasky's Salute to Young America, 'The Big Brass Band' By Thomas M. Pryor Special to The New York Times.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 17 Dec 1954: 36.
  11. ↑ Filmland Events: Sam Katzman Begins Busy Year at MGM Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 26 Dec 1964: 19.
  12. ↑ CBS Film Unit Signs Producer Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 18 Sep 1967: d27.
  13. ↑ Lasky Signs Well Known Actor: Comedienne and Assistant Director Wed at Studio; Sally O'Neill Will Star in New Circus Story; Youthful Player Signs With M.-G.-M. Kingsley, Grace. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 30 Nov 1928: 14.
  14. ↑ Film Producer Sam Katzman Sued by Wife Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 07 Dec 1955: 38.
  15. ↑ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 103. CN 5585.
  16. ↑ Fox Movie Studio Suspends Grable: Actress' Refusal to Appear in 'Girl Next Door' Leads to Action--Film Starts July 1 By Thomas F. Brady Special to The New York Times.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 02 May 1951: 49.
  17. ↑ Philip Barry Jr. Lists Film New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 07 Jan 1958: 30
  18. ↑ Thalberg Award to Jack Warner: Studio President Cited for High Quality of Movies -Ladd's Co-Stars Named Special to The New York Times.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 26 Mar 1959: 27.
  19. ↑ Role for Catherine Spaak Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 15 Apr 1967: 19.
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