Samuel Goldwyn was a true pioneer in the motion picture industry. From his first film in 1914 (THE SQUAW MAN) to his last in 1959 (PORGY AND BESS), Goldwyn enjoyed the longest and most successful career of any American studio mogul. Goldwyn was known for his ability to assemble superlative production teams that turned out films of consistently high quality. Such films as THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES (RKO, 1946), DODSWORTH (United Artists, 1936), THE PRIDE OF THE YANKEES (RKO, 1942), THE WESTERNER (United Artists, 1940), and WUTHERING HEIGHTS (United Artists, 1939) can be counted among his most notable achievements. Born Schmuel Gelbfisz (later anglicized to Sam Goldfish) in Warsaw, Poland, in 1879 (not in 1882 as stated in his studio biographies), Gelbfisz left his homeland in 1895 and made his way across Europe and the Atlantic. In 1899 he found work in a glove factory in Gloversville, New York and eventually became one of the best glove salesmen in the business. In 1913 he persuaded vaudeville producer Jesse Lasky (his brother-in-law by his first marriage) to enter the film business and, along with Cecil B. DeMille, formed the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Co. Their first production, THE SQUAW MAN (generally considered the first feature film produced in Hollywood), was a huge success and catapulted the fledgling company to the forefront of the new industry. In 1916 the company merged with its nearest competitor, Adolph Zukor's Famous Players, but the ensuing power struggle between Zukor and Goldfish proved too acrimonious and later that year Zukor bought him out for $900,000. Goldfish formed a new partnership with actor Edgar and his brother Arch Selwyn to create Goldwyn Pictures. (Two years later Goldfish would legally adopt the name as his own.) Despite several successes, the company barely broke even and, in 1922, Goldwyn was ousted from the corporation. Vowing never again to associate himself with partners, he formed Samuel Goldwyn Productions in 1923. In 1924 the foundering Goldwyn Pictures merged with Metro Pictures and Louis B. Mayer Productions. Goldwyn, who still owned stock in his former company, sold out for $1,000,000. Goldwyn's first two productions, POTASH AND PERLMUTTER (First National, 1923) and THE ETERNAL CITY (First National, 1923), were critical and financial successes and set the standard for the years to come. Goldwyn's films reflected his passion for quality and production value. He spared no expense in acquiring the best talent and the best screenwriters in the business. Ronald Colman, Barbara Stanwyck, David Niven, and Merle Oberon were among the stars who owed their careers and popularity to Goldwyn. Writers with whom he worked included Robert Sherwood, Lillian Hellman, Sinclair Lewis, and Ben Hecht. Directors John Ford, Howard Hawks, and William Wyler all worked for Goldwyn.