Edward 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.

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

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 '60s).[1]

Career

Muhl began his career at Universal in 1927 as a secretary to Carl Laemmle. He worked in a variety of positions for the company, moving into production in 1936. When William Goetz and Leo Spitz's International Pictures merged with Universal in 1947, Muhl was appointed vice president and general manager of studio operations.

In 1953, Muhl was appointed general production executive under William Goetz.[2] Later that year he became head of production for the studio, replacing Goetz and Leo Spitz, who had run Universal for seven years.[3][4]

Muhl oversaw a period of expansion for Universal.[5] The studio enjoyed a very successful run of films, primarily comedies (notably those starring Doris Day) and melodramas. Muhl kept a very low profile during that time,[6] 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. Also, he was 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.[7]

Personal life

Muhl's granddaughter is Taylor Muhl. She is a singer/songwriter known as a public advocate for human Chimerism.[8]

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.[7]

Select films produced under the Muhl regime
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References
  1. Biography at All Movie
  2. THOMAS M. PRYOR (Jan 27, 1953). "PARAMOUNT STARTS 3-DIMENSION MOVIE: ' Sangaree,' Being Filmed 'Flat' for Two Weeks, Is Switched to Studio's Own Process". New York Times. p. 22.
  3. THOMAS M. PRYOR (Aug 4, 1953). "NEW SCREEN PLUM FOR JAMES MASON: Briton Tapped for Mankiewicz Film, 'The Barefoot Contessa,' to Be Produced in Europe". New York Times. p. 15.
  4. THOMAS M. PRYOR HOLLYWOOD. (Aug 9, 1953). "HOLLYWOOD CHANGE: No Qualms at Universal as Edward Muhl Takes Production Reins -- Other Items". New York Times. p. X3.
  5. THOMAS M. PRYOR (Oct 27, 1953). "U-I WILL CONTINUE HEAVY FILM OUTPUT: Studio Plan 34 Features for New Year in Contrast With Rivals' Cutback Program". New York Times. p. 32.
  6. PETER BART Special to The New York Times (Feb 22, 1965). "Reign of Comedy as King in Hollywood Nears End". New York Times. p. 14.
  7. Sam Staggs, Born to Be Hurt: The Untold Story of Imitation of Life (Macmillan Publishers, 2009), ISBN 978-1429942089, pp. 213ff. Excerpts available at Google Books.
  8. PDT, The Doctors Staff on 7:00 AM; March 24; 2017 (2017-03-24). "I Absorbed My Twin Before Birth". The Doctors. Retrieved 2018-12-18.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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