26 Facts About Benny Thau

Benny Thau was known for his quiet and calming influence with often temperamental stars.

Benny Thau became assistant to Frank Vincent, chief booker for the Orpheum.

In 1927, following the merger of Keiths and Orpheum, Benny Thau joined Loews as a head booker for their theatres, his duties including booking talent for Capital Theatre.

Benny Thau had a pleasant nature and was regarded with affection by many of the workers at MGM, but wielded considerable power.

The director and producer Gottfried Reinhardt recalled that at one time Benny Thau explained to Garbo that if she accepted a sizable salary reduction she would move into a lower tax bracket and receive the same net pay.

Benny Thau understood the logic and agreed to the cut on a handshake.

Benny Thau was a strong supporter of Garson, who received an Oscar nomination in 1941 for Blossoms in the Dust.

However, in 1953 she was surprised to get a call from Benny Thau offering her a starring role in Torch Song.

Benny Thau chose MGM because "the people there had been nicer to her when she went to audition", Taylor recalled.

Benny Thau was to remain the "only MGM executive" she fully trusted during subsequent years, because, according to Alexander Walker, "he had, out of kindly habit, made the gesture that showed her she was loved".

Benny Thau played a key role in Taylor's career, managing her contracts and helping her get what she wanted on each of her films.

Benny Thau said she saw Thau as her surrogate father, and went to him "for help and advice".

In December 1956, Benny Thau was appointed as chief of executive staff.

In January 1957, Benny Thau bought the screenrights to Some Come Running.

In October 1957 these attempts were defeated, although as a result Benny Thau lost his seat on the Loews Board.

Benny Thau took charge of MGM at a point when the studio was in decline and inherited poorly-conceived projects from Schary.

In September 1958 Benny Thau sold his entire block of Loew's stock - 11,300 shares - leading to speculation he might leave the company.

Benny Thau signed a new long term contact with MGM as head of administration in March 1959.

Benny Thau was paid $182,000 a year, making him one of the highest paid executives in Hollywood.

Benny Thau left MGM when his contract expired on 1 June 1962.

Benny Thau was not replaced, his responsibilities going to others.

In December 1962 Benny Thau went to work for the William Morris Agency as a top executive.

Benny Thau and his wife Elizabeth Jane White had a son, Michael, born in May 1957.

Benny Thau died in the Motion Picture Home, Los Angeles, in July 1983, after a crippling heart attack.

Benny Thau had been a patient there for two years and been treated for a series of strokes.

NB Some films were released after Benny Thau had been replaced by Sol Siegel.