MGM’s formula for success was to produce as many films as possible, using the studio’s vast resources. MGM had its own police force, wardrobe department, prop warehouse, lake and other amenities. In order to keep costs down, Louis B. Mayer had to keep his staff and actors as busy as possible, so there was always something being filmed on the lot.
The studio lot was the envy of Hollywood and other studios often jockeyed to reserve time to film on its premises. While MGM Productions got first dibs on using the studio’s facilities, the company would rent out available sound stages or backlot buildings to earn extra cash and keep its employees busy.
Sadly, the backlot would fall victim to corporate greed. As the studio that depended most on the studio system to keep things running smoothly, MGM was the least prepared to deal with the fallout from the destruction of the studio system and television. In 1969, corporate raider Kirk Kerkorian bought the studio and pretty much sold off anything not nailed down. This included much of the studio’s vast Culver City acreage. Urban sprawl would spring up on land that once hosted the productions of numerous film classics. What was left of the studio grounds was eventually sold off and is now owned by Sony Pictures.
