Cosmopolitan Productions
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion picture production |
| Founded | 1918 |
| Founder | William Randolph Hearst, Adolph Zukor |
| Defunct | 1938 |
| Headquarters | New York City (1918–1923), Hollywood (1923–1938) , United States |
Key people | William Randolph Hearst, Adolph Zukor, Marion Davies, Robert G. Vignola |
| Products | Films |
Cosmopolitan Productions, alternatively known as Cosmopolitan Pictures, was an American motion picture company operating out of New York City from 1918 until 1923, before relocating to Hollywood where it continued until 1938.
History
The film company was established by newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst in partnership with Adolph Zukor of Paramount after Hearst was declined by United Artists. Paramount gained access to cinematic rights for stories from Hearst's publications such as Cosmopolitan, Harpers Bazaar, and Good Housekeeping, enabling the studio to produce films based on well-known material. These magazines also served as promotional platforms for the movies.
Cosmopolitan's initial notable achievement came with the 1920 release of Humoresque, which was honored as the first recipient of the Photoplay Medal of Honor.
Hearst purchased Sulzer's Harlem River Park and Casino located at 126th Street and Second Avenue to develop the studio complex. Unfortunately, on February 18, 1923, a fire destroyed the facilities during the making of Little Old New York, featuring Marion Davies and directed by Sidney Olcott. The production's sets were crafted by designer Joseph Urban.
The studio extensively showcased Hearst’s companion, actress Marion Davies, who appeared in a total of 29 silent films and 17 talkies produced by Cosmopolitan.
After encountering disagreements with Paramount concerning distribution practices and block booking, Hearst redirected Cosmopolitan’s film releases through Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer between 1923 and 1934. Subsequently, following a dispute with Louis B. Mayer over the film Marie Antoinette, distribution shifted to Warner Bros..
Legacy
Director Robert G. Vignola played a significant role at Cosmopolitan Productions, overseeing multiple projects including the extravagant When Knighthood Was in Flower (1922), which held the record as the most costly film at $1.8 million at that time. Filmmaker King Vidor directed three comedies featuring Marion Davies: Show People (1928), The Patsy (1928), and Not So Dumb (1930). It is important to note that The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932, MGM) was produced without Davies’ involvement.
Other notable directors who briefly collaborated with Cosmopolitan include John Ford, who directed Young Mr. Lincoln (1939); Michael Curtiz with Captain Blood (1936); and Howard Hawks, responsible for Ceiling Zero (1936).