Goldwyn

Born in a Polish ghetto, Samuel Gelbfisz (later "Goldfish") came to America and worked as a factory apprentice before forming a film company. Taking the name “Goldwyn,” the soon-to-be movie mogul earned a reputation for making quality motion pictures. Based on author A. Scott Berg's Goldwyn: A Biography, this interesting rags-to-riches story is told through revealing film clips, interviews, and narration (supplied by Dustin Hoffman). Famous for his unintentionally funny “Goldwynisms” (“Include me out,” “Anybody who goes to a psychiatrist ought to have his head examined”), the semi-literate magnate was not the most articulate fellow but he cared about his craft--eventually winning a best picture Oscar for The Best Years of Our Lives. Recommended. (T. Rich)