Edward Muhl

Edward Muhl
Born
Edward Ellsworth Muhl

February 17, 1907
Richmond, Indiana
DiedApril 22, 2001 (age 94)
Los Angeles, California
OccupationVP Head of Production at Universal Studios from 1953–1973
Years active46 years total at Universal Studios
Known forMuhl played key roles in some of the studio's most important decisions
FamilyTaylor Muhl, Erica Muhl

Edward Ellsworth Muhl (February 17, 1907 - April 22, 2001) was an American businessman and executive best known for being head of production for Universal Pictures from 1953 until his retirement in 1973.

According to one writer, he played key roles in some of the studio's most important decisions. Muhl's contributions range from the technical (he was instrumental in persuading studio heads to shoot most of their films in Technicolor rather than the cheaper black-and-white) to the purely business (he made the deal that allowed MCA to purchase Universal in the early 1960s).[1]

Career

Muhl began his career at Universal in 1927 in the cost accounting department. He became studio business manager and remained in the role until 1934 when he became head of the legal department, despite not being a lawyer. He moved into production in 1936. When William Goetz and Leo Spitz's International Pictures merged with Universal to form Universal-International in 1947, Muhl was appointed general manager of studio operations.[2]

In 1953, Muhl was appointed general production executive under Goetz.[3] Later that year he became vice president in charge of production for the studio, replacing Goetz and Spitz, who had run Universal for seven years.[4][5]

Muhl oversaw a period of expansion for Universal.[6] The studio enjoyed a successful run of films, primarily comedies (such as those starring Doris Day) and melodramas.[7] When MCA Inc. took over Universal in 1962, other executives shared responsibility for production[2] although the phrase "Edward Muhl In Charge Of Production" appeared on the new Universal logo starting in 1963, a throwback to an industry practice that had largely faded since the 1940s. He was also credited with influential support of the films of Douglas Sirk and Ross Hunter, as well as supporting the blacklisted writer Dalton Trumbo's right to screenplay credit on Spartacus[8] albeit censoring the film diminishing the historical importance of the slave turned rebel leader.[9]

In 1970, he shifted to make independent productions for the studio. At the time, he was the longest serving production head in recent Hollywood history.[2]

Personal life

Muhl's granddaughter is Taylor Muhl. She is a singer/songwriter known as a public advocate for human Chimerism.[10]

Death

Muhl died on April 22, 2001, at the age of 94. His death took place at his Los Angeles, CA home, surrounded by his family.[8]

Selected films produced in the Muhl period

References

  1. ^ Biography at All Movie
  2. ^ a b c "After 17 Years As Studio Topper, Ed Mull Shifts To Indie Production". Variety. June 3, 1970. p. 4.
  3. ^ Pryor, Thomas M. (January 27, 1953). "Paramount Starts 3-Dimensin Movie". The New York Times. p. 22. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  4. ^ Pryor, Thomas M. (August 4, 1953). "New Screen Plum for James Mason: Briton Tapped for Mankiewicz Film, 'The Barefoot Contessa,' to Be Produced in Europe". The New York Times. p. 15.
  5. ^ Pryor, Thomas M. (August 9, 1953). "Hollywood Change: No Qualms at Universal as Edward Muhl Takes Production Reins -- Other Items". The New York Times. p. X3.
  6. ^ Pryor, Thomas M. (October 27, 1953). "U-I Will Continue Heavy Film Output: Studio Plan 34 Features for New Year in Contrast With Rivals' Cutback Program". The New York Times. p. 32.
  7. ^ Bart, Peter (February 22, 1965). "Reign of Comedy as King in Hollywood Nears End". The New York Times. p. 14. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c Staggs, Sam (2009). Born to Be Hurt: The Untold Story of Imitation of Life. Macmillan Publishers. pp. 213ff. ISBN 978-1429942089 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ Kirk Douglas, I am Spartacus! Making A Film, Breaking the Blacklist, Open Road Integrated Media New York, 2012 ISBN 978-1-4532-5480-6 page 178
  10. ^ "I Absorbed My Twin Before Birth". The Doctors. 2017-03-24. Archived from the original on 2018-12-14. Retrieved 2018-12-18.