The Schenck Brothers, FIlm Pioneers & ”Moguls” with Mike Benson & Craig Singer

The Schencks were responsible for metamorphosizing film, from its production and distribution to its star power, distribution via glitzy movie theatres, manipulating the headlines and celebrity narratives, and
even how films were sourced, shot, and regarded by the public. They infused mystique, money, glamour,danger, sex, and romance into film and were there at the fledging start of “talkies.” Responsible for growing the celluloid industry into a multi-million dollar empire right through the GreatDepression, one can draw a straight line from the efforts of the Schencks to today’s mega movie stars (hi,Tom Cruise!)
MOGULS features incredible movie morsels:
• The Schenck brothers created the Motion Picture Academy and the invention of The Oscars, and were involved in the launches of United Artists, MGM, and Twentieth Century Fox;
• They helped to launch the mammoth Loew’s chain and its opulent theatres around the country;
• They halted a Nazi takeover of the movie industry and a shakedown by the Mob in the 1930s;
• Marilyn Monroe was Joe’s “special friend,” responsible for her fantastic rise to stardom:
• Joe did four months in the fed pen for tax evasion (one of his deductions involved a menage a trois);
• Their pals included William Randolph Hearst, Lillian Gish, Jacob Paley, John Huston, Fatty Arbuckle, Douglas Fairbanks, Irving Thalberg, Irving Berlin, and TV’s Superman George Reeves (whose mysterious suicide is linked to the brothers )
MOGULS is a rollicking, entertaining romp through Hollywood’s unstoppable trajectory and its glitzy,sordid highs and lows, seen through the exploits of two brothers who made cinema history.
Michael Benson (Brooklyn, NY) is the author of more than sixty books, including the nonfiction history and crime titles Gangsters vs Nazis, Betrayal in Blood, Killer Twins, Mommy Deadliest, Who’s Who in the
JFK Assassination, and The Devil at Genesee Junction. He is the co-author, along with Frank Dimatteo, ofthe acclaimed American Mafia history books.  He regularly appears on ID: Investigation Discovery channel and is the recipient of the Academy of American Poets Award. Benson can be found on Facebook  @authorMichaelBenson.
Craig Singer  is an Emmy-nominated director, producer, writer and filmmaker. A Former Disney executive, he directed and produced the films A Good Night to Die (2003), Dark Ride (2006), Perkins' 14 (2009) and Animal Room (1995). His latest film, 6:45, earned multiple awards,
including Best Feature, Paris Independent Film Festival; Best Feature, Hollywood on the Tiber Film Awards; Best Horror Feature, Hong Kong Indie Film Festival; and Best Director, Catalina Film Festival. He was nominated for an Emmy in the interactive fiction category in 2008 and his series have been honored many times by the Telly’s and Webby’s.