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The sensational true story of brothers Nicholas and Joseph Schenck, who shaped Hollywood into the cinema powerhouse it is today, is filled with glamour, scandals, mobsters, and a legendary blond bombshell. As groundbreaking pioneers, the Schencks, Russian immigrants with grand ambitions, transformed a small nickelodeon business in New York’s Bowery into a formidable partnership with Loew’s theaters and controlling interests in MGM, 20th Century Fox, and United Artists. They established the studio system and ruled a global movie empire from their lavish mansions on both coasts. Their legacy is legendary, yet their scandals remain largely untold. This riveting account reveals surprising truths, including Joe Schenck's four-year federal prison sentence for tax evasion linked to a scandalous deduction, the ruthless political tactics of Hollywood studio heads, and the murder charges against silent film star “Fatty” Arbuckle, whose defense was funded by Joe. It also touches on Joe's secret infatuation with Marilyn Monroe and the brothers' creation of the Academy of Motion Pictures and the Oscars. Spanning the silent film era to the Red Scare, the Schencks’ story encapsulates the essence of Hollywood and the enduring American Dream, making it a must-read for film enthusiasts and history buffs alike.