Howard Strickling
Encyclopedia
Howard Strickling served as head of publicity for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
pictures from the late 1920s into the early 1950s.
He was born in West Virginia
; Strickling was in charge of the publicity surrounding MGM's films, and the studio's stars for what most film buffs consider the heyday of the company. He was also the voice-over announcer on several trailers for famous MGM films including Gone with the Wind
, and all three theatrical releases of The Wizard of Oz
(1939, 1949, and 1955).
Strickling was also well known in Hollywood as one of MGM's "fixers", along with studio vice-president, Eddie Mannix
. Strickling and Mannix are the subject of E. J. Fleming's book The Fixers: Eddie Mannix, Howard Strickling and the MGM Publicity Machine (2004). According to the book, Strickling and Mannix were responsible for covering up or working to tone down several scandals surrounding high profile MGM talent.
One of the most often discussed of these cover-ups is the death of comedian Ted Healy
, former leader of The Three Stooges. According to Fleming, Healy died of injuries suffered in a brawl with MGM star Wallace Beery
, Albert R. "Cubby" Broccoli
(later the producer of the famous series of James Bond
films), and gangster Pat DiCicco (Broccoli's cousin).
The beating took place in the parking lot of the famous Trocadero
club in Los Angeles, in 1937. MGM sent Beery to England while the "fixers" orchestrated a cover-up that blamed Healy's death on a trio of unidentified college students.
Strickling retired in the 1960s. He was married from 1930 until his wife died, in 1980.
He was portrayed by actor Joe Spano
in the 2006 film Hollywoodland
, a semi-fictional account of the death of Superman star George Reeves
. Strickling's friend, and fellow "fixer", Eddie Mannix was portrayed by the British actor, Bob Hoskins
.
He died in Chino, California; on July 16, 1982, aged 86.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is an American media company, involved primarily in the production and distribution of films and television programs. MGM was founded in 1924 when the entertainment entrepreneur Marcus Loew gained control of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures Corporation and Louis B. Mayer...
pictures from the late 1920s into the early 1950s.
He was born in West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
; Strickling was in charge of the publicity surrounding MGM's films, and the studio's stars for what most film buffs consider the heyday of the company. He was also the voice-over announcer on several trailers for famous MGM films including Gone with the Wind
Gone with the Wind (film)
Gone with the Wind is a 1939 American historical epic film adapted from Margaret Mitchell's Pulitzer-winning 1936 novel of the same name. It was produced by David O. Selznick and directed by Victor Fleming from a screenplay by Sidney Howard...
, and all three theatrical releases of The Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)
The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 American musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was directed primarily by Victor Fleming. Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson and Edgar Allan Woolf received credit for the screenplay, but there were uncredited contributions by others. The lyrics for the songs...
(1939, 1949, and 1955).
Strickling was also well known in Hollywood as one of MGM's "fixers", along with studio vice-president, Eddie Mannix
Eddie Mannix
Edgar Joseph "Eddie" Mannix was an American film studio executive....
. Strickling and Mannix are the subject of E. J. Fleming's book The Fixers: Eddie Mannix, Howard Strickling and the MGM Publicity Machine (2004). According to the book, Strickling and Mannix were responsible for covering up or working to tone down several scandals surrounding high profile MGM talent.
One of the most often discussed of these cover-ups is the death of comedian Ted Healy
Ted Healy
Ted Healy was an American vaudeville performer, comedian, and actor. He is chiefly remembered today as the original creator of the Three Stooges, but had a successful stage and film career of his own.- Early life :...
, former leader of The Three Stooges. According to Fleming, Healy died of injuries suffered in a brawl with MGM star Wallace Beery
Wallace Beery
Wallace Fitzgerald Beery was an American actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Bill in Min and Bill opposite Marie Dressler, as Long John Silver in Treasure Island, as Pancho Villa in Viva Villa!, and his titular role in The Champ, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor...
, Albert R. "Cubby" Broccoli
Albert R. Broccoli
Albert Romolo Broccoli, CBE , nicknamed "Cubby", was an American film producer, who made more than 40 motion pictures throughout his career, most of them in the United Kingdom, and often filmed at Pinewood Studios. Co-founder of Danjaq, LLC and EON Productions, Broccoli is most notable as the...
(later the producer of the famous series of James Bond
James Bond (film series)
The James Bond film series is a British series of motion pictures based on the fictional character of MI6 agent James Bond , who originally appeared in a series of books by Ian Fleming. Earlier films were based on Fleming's novels and short stories, followed later by films with original storylines...
films), and gangster Pat DiCicco (Broccoli's cousin).
The beating took place in the parking lot of the famous Trocadero
Trocadero (Los Angeles)
In West Hollywood, California, the Cafe Trocadero was the center of jitterbug in the 1930s. Today, a " new" Trocadero stands as a nightclub at 8610 Sunset Boulevard on the Sunset Strip...
club in Los Angeles, in 1937. MGM sent Beery to England while the "fixers" orchestrated a cover-up that blamed Healy's death on a trio of unidentified college students.
Strickling retired in the 1960s. He was married from 1930 until his wife died, in 1980.
He was portrayed by actor Joe Spano
Joe Spano
Joseph Peter "Joe" Spano is an American actor who came to prominence through his role as Lt. Henry Goldblume on Hill Street Blues and is now well known for his work in NCIS as FBI Special Agent Tobias Fornell....
in the 2006 film Hollywoodland
Hollywoodland
Hollywoodland is a 2006 American biographical docudrama film directed by Allen Coulter in his feature directorial debut. The film documents a fictional account of the investigation surrounding the death of actor George Reeves , the star of the 1950s television series Adventures of Superman. Adrien...
, a semi-fictional account of the death of Superman star George Reeves
George Reeves
George Reeves was an American actor best known for his role as Superman in the 1950s television program Adventures of Superman....
. Strickling's friend, and fellow "fixer", Eddie Mannix was portrayed by the British actor, Bob Hoskins
Bob Hoskins
Robert William "Bob" Hoskins, Jr. is an English actor known for playing Cockney rough diamonds, psychopaths and gangsters, in films such as The Long Good Friday , and Mona Lisa , and lighter roles in family films such as Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Hook .- Early life :Hoskins was born in Bury St...
.
He died in Chino, California; on July 16, 1982, aged 86.