Charles R. Rogers
Charles R. Rogers | |
---|---|
Born | New York City, New York United States | July 15, 1892
Died | March 29, 1957 Hollywood, California, United States | (aged 64)
Occupation | Producer |
Years active | 1924–1947 |
Charles R. Rogers (July 15, 1892 – March 29, 1957), was an American film producer whose career spanned both the silent and sound film eras. Rogers began his career on the 1924 silent film, A Cafe in Cairo, produced by the short-lived Hunt Stromberg Productions. After Stromberg ceased productions in 1925, Rogers would found his own independent company, Charles R. Rogers Productions. He would also produce for major studios such as RKO Radio Pictures, Universal, and United Artists. The pinnacle of his career would be from 1936 to 1938 when he was chosen as the vice-president in charge of production for Universal Pictures. He died as the result of injuries sustained in a car accident in 1957.
Personal life
Rogers was born in New York City on July 15, 1892, he had six siblings: three brothers and three sisters.[1] He went to high school in Boston, before beginning in the film industry in Buffalo, New York, running the Star Theatre.[2] He was married on June 17, 1913.[3] In February 1957 Rogers was in a serious car accident in California. He remained in the hospital until March 29, when he would die due to his injuries.[1]
Career
In the early 1920s, he was a partner in the Burr-Rogers Producing Corporation, along with
First National, RKO and Paramount
Rogers deal with First National expired in 1929, after which he signed an agreement with RKO. When there was a management shake-up at the studio in the beginning of 1931, Rogers was named head of production for the studio in January of that year.
Universal years
In January 1935, rumors began to circulate that Carl Laemmle, the president of Universal, was considering offers for the sale of the studio. Apparently, these were nothing new.[16] However, by the end of February, the rumors were still persisting, despite vehement denials by Laemmle; Warner Bros. also issued a denial that they were interested in buying the studio.[17] Just two weeks later it was being reported that a sale of the studio had been consummated, however, once again Laemmle issued strident denials.[18] By June it was confirmed that there had been several offers made, but they were declined due to Laemmle's insistence that key personnel at the studio be guaranteed to remain in their positions.[19] In July 1935 it was reported that Rogers was acting as an intermediary on Warner Bros.' behalf in an attempt to purchase Universal. Although Laemmle acknowledged the offer, the latest of five such, Rogers denied that he was in any way involved, although it was reported that Rogers was promised a major position at the acquired studio if the negotiations were successful.[20] On November 2 it was reported that Rogers, in conjunction with Standard Capital, had reached an agreement with Laemmle to provide financing for the studio, which included a three-month option to purchase Universal. As part of the deal, Laemmle received assurances that key personnel would be kept, as long as they had a proven track record. Rogers would be head of the new studio, but he could not assume that mantle immediately, since his commitment to Paramount still had two more films remaining on it.[21] After a 6-week extension was granted on the option at the end of January,[22] and control passed to Standard Capital on March 14, with Rogers being put in charge of production.[23]
Shortly taking over control of the studio, Rogers announced that the unit system would remain in place, and that he was going to schedule 36 films for production during the 1936–37 production season; there would also be another eight
In 1936 Rogers was named as a co-defendant in a lawsuit alleging copyright infringement. The case involved the 1933 film,
Despite his success at changing the failing studio around, rumors began to circulate in early 1937 that Rogers might be replaced at Universal.
Post-Universal years
After his departure from Universal, Rogers and his wife took an extended vacation.
In December 1941 it was announced that Rogers had entered into a deal with United Artists, who would distribute his independent films.[45] From 1943 through 1947 he would produce a film per year for the studio, including 1946's classic Angel on My Shoulder starring Paul Muni, Anne Baxter and Claude Rains. In 1944 Rogers signed a long-term agreement with United Artists to produce a further six films for the studio.[46] In January 1945 Rogers announced that his productions for UA would increase from one to four films per year, with a budget of $5.25M for the four.[47] However, he continued to produce at one film annually in 1946–47. After the release of The Fabulous Dorseys in 1947, starring Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Rogers was away from production for three years. In 1950 it was announced that he was returning to producing, with the film, The Son of Dr. Jekyll, which he was producing for Columbia.[48][49] The film was released in October 1951, but the film did not include any producer credit. In 1957, Rogers produced a six-episode series of fifteen-minute shorts for television, entitled Men, Women and Clothes.
Filmography
References
- ^ a b "Auto Accident Fatal to Charles R. Rogers". Motion Picture Daily. April 2, 1957. p. 1.
- ^ a b ""U" Transfer Completed; To Produce 36 Features". Motion Picture Daily. April 3, 1936. pp. 1, 6.
- ^ "Among "U" Men". Motion Picture Daily. June 18, 1936. p. 5.
- ^ "Burr Pictures Inc., New Firm Title". Motion Picture News. February 16, 1924. p. 734.
- ^ a b "Charles R. Rogers, SIMPP Member (1945–1957)". The Society of Independent Motion Picture Producers. Archived from the original on June 3, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
- ^ "Driftin' Thru: Detail View". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on April 2, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
- ^ "West Coast Studios". Variety. December 16, 1925. p. 30.
- ^ "1st Natl.'s "Westerns"". Variety. February 17, 1926. p. 30.
- ^ "1st Nat'l's New Studio Taking Co.'s From East". Variety. March 10, 1926. p. 35.
- ^ ISBN 0-517-546566.
- ^ "Carnival Boat: Detail View". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
- ^ "Helping Paramount To Make This Paramount's Paramount Year!". Variety. September 13, 1932. p. 48.
- ^ "Film Reviews: 70,000 Witnesses". Variety. September 6, 1932. p. 21.
- ^ "Para. To Build Big Vault". Motion Picture Daily. September 24, 1935. p. 12.
- ^ "Motion Picture Daily's Hollywood Preview: "The Virginia Judge"". Motion Picture Daily. September 16, 1935. p. 11.
- ^ Kann, Red (January 25, 1935). "Insider's Outlook". Motion Picture Daily. p. 2.
- ^ "Reports Persist On Deal for "U" Sale". Motion Picture Daily. February 27, 1935. pp. 1–2.
- ^ ""U" Not Sold, Not Even To Huey: Laemmle". Motion Picture Daily. March 13, 1935. p. 1.
- ^ ""'U' Still Owns Self - Body, Soul, Breeches" - Cochrane". Motion Picture Daily. June 7, 1935. pp. 1, 10.
- ^ "Laemmle Again Denies Any Move To Sell His Control Of Universal". Motion Picture Daily. August 1, 1935. p. 1.
- ^ ""U" Gives An Option to Buy in Financing Deal". Motion Picture Daily. November 2, 1935. p. 1.
- ^ "Laemmle Extends Option". Motion Picture Daily. January 29, 1936. p. 11.
- ^ "Universal Control Goes to Standard Group Today". Motion Picture Daily. March 14, 1936. p. 1.
- ^ "Write-Off of Weak Assets In "U" Plan". Motion Picture Daily. October 17, 2014. pp. 1, 4.
- ^ ""U" Stockholders Elect 9 Directors". Motion Picture Daily. May 2, 1936. p. 1.
- ^ ""U" to Expand Feature List, States Cowdin". Motion Picture Daily. September 17, 1936. pp. 1, 5.
- ^ ""U" Will Have 52 Next Year, Says Cochrane". Motion Picture Daily. October 6, 1936. pp. 1, 4.
- ^ "May Team Durbin-Breen". Motion Picture Daily. October 27, 1936. p. 2.
- ^ "Modify Bruce Grant Suit". Motion Picture Daily. January 28, 1937. p. 5.
- ^ "Girl Without a Room: Detail View". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
- ^ ""B" Label on Film Hit by C.R. Rogers". Motion Picture Daily. January 27, 1937. pp. 1, 10.
- ^ "Rogers Succeeds Schenck". Motion Picture Daily. February 6, 1937. p. 2.
- ^ "No "U" Change". Motion Picture Daily. April 17, 1937. p. 1.
- ^ "Cowdin Denies Change Likely At the Studio". Motion Picture Daily. May 11, 1937. pp. 1, 9.
- ^ "All Smiles". Motion Picture Daily. September 25, 1937. p. 1.
- ^ "Nate Blumberg "U" Head; W. A. Scully Sales Chief". Motion Picture Daily. November 30, 1937. p. 1.
- ^ "Rogers Leaves "U" Post; Name Work Studio Head". Motion Picture Daily. May 20, 1938. p. 1.
- ^ "Purely Personal". Motion Picture Daily. May 27, 1938. p. 2.
- ^ "Paramount Signs Rogers". Motion Picture Daily. November 10, 1938. p. 4.
- ^ "The Star Maker: Detail View". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on April 2, 2014. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
- ^ "Columbia, Rogers Close 3-Year Deal". Motion Picture Daily. December 18, 1939. p. 1.
- ^ "Coast Flashes". Motion Picture Daily. July 30, 1941. p. 1.
- ^ "Rogers Plans Musical". Motion Picture Daily. September 11, 1941. p. 2.
- ^ "The Lady Comes Across". imdb.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
- ^ "Report U.A. Talks Milestone, Hitchcock Deal; Rogers Signed". Motion Picture Daily. December 8, 1941. p. 47.
- ^ "U.A. Directors Approve 15 More Pictures". Motion Picture Daily. July 12, 1944. pp. 1, 7.
- ^ "Rogers to Make 4 At $5,250,000". Motion Picture Daily. January 9, 1945. p. 1.
- ^ "Charles R. Rogers to Return to Production". Motion Picture Daily. September 6, 1950. p. 2.
- ^ "Charles R. Rogers in Deal With Columbia". Motion Picture Daily. October 18, 1950. p. 1.
External links
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