Julius Stern (producer)

Julius Stern (March 22, 1886 – April 26, 1977) was an American film producer. He produced 541 films between 1917 and 1929. He was a co-founder of Universal Studios. He was born in Hintersteinau, Germany,[4] and died in New York City, New York.[5] He was the brother of producer Abe Stern and the brother-in-law of Universal Studios co-founder Carl Laemmle.

Julius Stern
From a 1921 magazine
Born(1886-03-22)March 22, 1886
Hintersteinau, Germany[1]
Died(1977-04-26)April 26, 1977
New York City, New York, United States
Years active1906-1935;[2][3]

Biography

Stern arrived in the United States in 1903 [6] and soon thereafter worked with Carl Laemmle at Continental Clothing (which was owned by Julius' uncle Salomon "Sam" Stern). After Laemmle left Continental in 1905,[7] Julius went to work for Laemmle as an Assistant Manager (1906), then as a Manager (1908) of Laemmle's White Front Theater (1908) and was named Carl Laemmle's personal assistant. As such, he was instrumental in the founding and operation of the Laemmle Film Exchange and the Independent Moving Picture Company (IMP), where he was General Manager, until the founding of Universal.[8] Stern was integral to Laemmle's acquisition of control at Universal. Julius was briefly a Director (1912).[9] and an officer (1912-1929) of Universal Studios and President of L-KO Studios (1916-1919).[10] and Century Comedies (1917-1926),[11] which released under Universal.

Many silent film stars were “discovered” by Julius and his brother Abe, who served as General Manager, under L-KO, Century and Rainbow, including Baby Peggy.[12] Under Julius’ leadership, Century Comedies and later Stern Brothers often featured animals in comedic roles including “Brownie”, a dog, several lions and “Joe Martin” an orangutan. In 1926, Century Comedies was dissolved and Stern Brothers Comedy was founded.[13] Stern Brothers continued to release under Universal until 1929 and introduced the world to film series featuring Tarzan, Buster Brown, Mike and Ike and Baby Snookums. In 1929, the Sterns’ relationship with Universal was abruptly discontinued[14] with a telegram from Carl Laemmle and by April 1929 Stern Brothers was laying plans to produce sound feature films as well as continuing their comedy shorts and series at their newly formed National Sound Recording Studio.[15] In 1933, Max and Arthur Alexander, nephews of Julius and Abe Stern, who had been operating National Studios, renamed the operation Alexander Brothers Studio and commenced production.[16]

Selected filmography

References
  1. Hintersteinau 1886 Birth Records Page 6, Dated March 22, 1886
  2. ""Julius Stern General Manager of IMP"". The Implet. January 27, 1912. p. 2.
  3. ""Abe, Julius Stern Here On Way Abroad"". Motion Picture Daily. June 26, 1935. p. 2.
  4. Hintersteinau 1886 Birth Records Page 6, Dated March 22, 1886
  5. City of New York, Certificate of Death #156-77-107086, April 27, 1977
  6. List or Manifest of Alien Passengers for the U.S. Immigration Officer at Port of Arrival; S.S. Kaiser Wilhelm II, Arriving Port of New York, September 16, 1903
  7. ""The Continental" Interior - P957.3 | Oshkosh Public Museum".
  8. ""Julius Stern General Manager of IMP"". "The Implet". Page 2. January 27, 1912
  9. ""Film Fraud Deals Laid to Directors"". "Motography". Page 126. February 15, 1913
  10. ""Julius Stern Posts Himself on Popular Comedy"". "The Moving Picture World". Page 1832. March 30, 1918
  11. ""Century and L-Ko Companies Expand"". "The Moving Picture World". Page 815. August 10, 1918
  12. "" Most Popular Animal Actor in Films "". " Moving Picture weekly ". Page 36. April 23, 1921
  13. ""Stern Brothers Announce Future Comedy Program"". "Exhibitors Herald". Page 49. February 20, 1926
  14. "" Not Renewing "". "Film Daily". Page 1. February 26, 1929
  15. ""Sterns Preparing to Make Sound Features and Shorts"". "Film Daily". Pages 1, 4. April 16, 1929
  16. "" Alexander Brothers Planning to Produce "". "Film Daily". Pages 1, 7. May 26, 1933
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