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The Last Mogul

Play trailer Poster for The Last Mogul PG-13 2005 1h 43m Documentary Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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81% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 54% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Legendary Hollywood deal maker and would-be studio head Lew Wasserman oversaw Music Corporation of America's transition from talent agency to movie industry superpower, and blazed a trail in Hollywood's transition from the studio system -- where studios signed and developed in-house talent -- to the package system, where agents assembled attractive combinations of talents on a picture-by-picture basis. A divisive character who never granted interviews, Wasserman changed Hollywood forever.

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The Last Mogul

Critics Reviews

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Lou Lumenick New York Post Highly entertaining. Rated: 3/4 Nov 4, 2005 Full Review A.O. Scott New York Times Lew Wasserman, who rose from the streets of Cleveland to become the most powerful man in Hollywood, is the subject of this absorbing documentary. Rated: 3/5 Nov 4, 2005 Full Review Matt Singer Village Voice Avrich's Wasserman is less a man than a list of accomplishments, a Kane without a hint of a Rosebud and nary a whiff of significant criticism. Nov 1, 2005 Full Review Maitland McDonagh TV Guide Avrich's colorful account of Wasserman's career starts out looking like a puff piece, but quickly reveals a refreshing willingness to delve into the dirty side of a glamorous business. Rated: 3.5/4 Nov 4, 2005 Full Review Rob Thomas Capital Times (Madison, WI) The jazzy credit sequence uses Wasserman's trademark big black eyeglasses as a playful motif, but the film itself is all business Rated: 3/4 Sep 1, 2005 Full Review Oz eFilmCritic.com Does an impeccable job in documenting both the dark and light side of one of the most successful, yet secretive, celebrities North America has ever known. Rated: 5/5 Aug 27, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member At one point he was the most powerful person in Hollywood and he had a tremendous impact on the Film & Television industry. The film was a bit dry for me, but still very much worthwhile to see the behind the scenes workings of Hollywood in the Golden Era. Recommend for film lovers for sure. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member Interesting if pedestrian look at someone who was so powerful yet almost unknown outside of Hollywood. They kept tip toeing around mob connections and anything shady but if you watched closely you could see that the guy was a pretty epic crook. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Great documentary that informs and pays tribute to a humble but very powerful man. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Terrible production values and lousy storytelling almost derail the life and times of a really interesting man. You'll want to learn more about his behind the scenes wheeling and dealing. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Audience Member A real incredible journey through the beginnings of Hollywood, including Mafia involvement and enough shady deals to make Tyson blush. Wasserman was like a superhero turned washout, but things wouldn't have been the same if it were not for those thick black glasses and icy stare. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Audience Member One of the best documentaries out there on the inner workings of Hollywood. Any film lover should see what really goes on behind the scenes and this movie does exactly that. The book this film is based on is also well worth reading as well. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Last Mogul

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Cast & Crew

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Barry Avrich

Director

Peter Bart

Actor

Norman Brokaw

Actor

David Brown

Actor

Helen Gurley Brown

Actor

Jimmy Carter

Actor

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The Last Mogul

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Movie Info

Synopsis Legendary Hollywood deal maker and would-be studio head Lew Wasserman oversaw Music Corporation of America's transition from talent agency to movie industry superpower, and blazed a trail in Hollywood's transition from the studio system -- where studios signed and developed in-house talent -- to the package system, where agents assembled attractive combinations of talents on a picture-by-picture basis. A divisive character who never granted interviews, Wasserman changed Hollywood forever.
Director
Barry Avrich
Producer
Nat Brescia, Tori Hockin
Screenwriter
Barry Avrich
Production Co
20th Century Fox
Rating
PG-13 (Brief Strong Language|Some Sexual References)
Genre
Documentary, Biography
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 19, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 1, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$5.0K
Runtime
1h 43m
Sound Mix
Surround
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