Pandro S. Berman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pandro S. Berman
Berman in 1953
Born	Pandro Samuel Berman (1905-03-28)March 28, 1905 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	July 13, 1996(1996-07-13) (aged 91) Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Resting place	Hillside Memorial Park Culver City, California
Years active	1923–1970
Spouse(s)	Viola V. Newman (divorced) Kathryn Hereford ​ ​ (m. 1960; died 1993)​
Children	3
Relatives	Henry Berman (brother)

Pandro Samuel Berman (born March 28, 1905 – died July 13, 1996) was an important American film producer. He was also known as Pan Berman. He helped create many famous movies during Hollywood's "Golden Age."

Early Life and Family

Pandro Berman was born in Pittsburgh in 1905. His father, Henry Berman, was a general manager at Universal Pictures. This meant Pandro grew up around the movie business during its early days in Hollywood. His brother, Henry Berman, also became involved in films as an editor.

Starting His Career in Movies

Berman began working in movies in the 1920s. He started as an assistant director. In 1930, he joined RKO Radio Pictures as a film editor. Soon after, he became an assistant producer.

When the main producer at RKO left in 1931, Berman took over. He stayed in this important role until 1939.

Working with David O. Selznick

In October 1931, a new production chief named David O. Selznick came to RKO. Many staff members were fired, but Berman kept his job. Selznick chose Berman to produce a movie called Symphony of Six Million. This film was about a Jewish doctor's journey from a poor neighborhood to a successful life. It was a big success, and Berman later said it was the "first good movie" he produced.

Famous Films at RKO

During Berman's time at RKO, many classic films were made. He helped produce the popular musicals starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Famous actress Katharine Hepburn also became very well-known during this period. Some other RKO classics he worked on include The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Gunga Din, both from 1939. His brother, Henry, worked as his assistant at RKO.

Moving to MGM

In 1940, Berman left RKO and moved to another major film studio, MGM. He oversaw many successful movies there, such as:

• Ziegfeld Girl (1941)
• National Velvet (1944)
• Father of the Bride (1950)
• Blackboard Jungle (1955)
• BUtterfield 8 (1960)

His brother Henry also joined him at MGM.

Working with Director Richard Thorpe

In the 1950s, Berman often worked with director Richard Thorpe. Together, they made several adventure films, including:

• Ivanhoe (1952)
• The Prisoner of Zenda (1952)
• Knights of the Round Table (1953)

Berman stayed at MGM until 1963. After that, he worked as an independent producer for a few more years before retiring.

Awards and Recognition

Pandro Berman received the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award in 1976. This is a very special award given to producers who have made consistently high-quality films.

Six of the films he produced were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture:

• The Gay Divorcee (1934)
• Alice Adams (1935)
• Top Hat (1935)
• Stage Door (1937)
• Father of the Bride (1950)
• Ivanhoe (1952)

Personal Life

Pandro Berman had three children with his first wife, Viola. Later, in 1960, he married Kathryn Hereford.

Berman passed away on July 13, 1996, at the age of 91, in his home in Beverly Hills, California.

Selected Filmography

Here are some of the many films Pandro Berman produced:

• Symphony of Six Million (1932)
• Morning Glory (1933)
• The Little Minister (1934)
• The Gay Divorcee (1934)
• Of Human Bondage (1934)
• Alice Adams (1935)
• Top Hat (1935)
• Roberta (1935)
• Swing Time (1936)
• Mary of Scotland (1936)
• Stage Door (1937)
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)
• Ziegfeld Girl (1941)
• National Velvet (1944)
• The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)
• The Three Musketeers (1948)
• The Bribe (1949)
• Father of the Bride (1950)
• Ivanhoe (1952)
• The Prisoner of Zenda (1952)
• Knights of the Round Table (1953)
• Blackboard Jungle (1955)
• Jailhouse Rock (1957)
• BUtterfield 8 (1960)
• Sweet Bird of Youth (1962)
• A Patch of Blue (1965)

Images for kids

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  Pandro S. Berman in 1953