MGM
Founded in 1924 by Marcus Loew, MGM quickly became the grand dame of Hollywood, boasting a lion's roar that echoed through the golden age of cinema. With stars like Greta Garbo and Clark Gable under contract, MGM defined the studio system, churning out classics that kept its stock price soaring. Yet, the glitter faded as the decades wore on. The company’s financial misadventures—too many to count—culminated in a 2010 bankruptcy that read like a tragic Hollywood script. After a series of owners, including Kirk Kerkorian and a brief fling with the Saudis, MGM was scooped up by Amazon in 2021 for $8.45 billion, proving that even in the streaming era, content is still king, even if the crown’s a bit tarnished. MGM’s legacy? A tale of opulence, downfall, and reinvention—a studio that, like its stars, shines brightest in the rearview mirror.