With the climax approaching for Culver City’s year-long Centennial celebration, a time capsule will be stocked when the countdown to closing ceremonies and ceremonial bash reaches Wednesday, Sept. 20.
That was the date of incorporation by founder Harry Culver in 1917.
As a lasting commemorative of the 100th, the time capsule will be a centerpiece of closing events.
A magical name in the Heart of Screenland will hover into view.
Alicia Mayer, great-grandniece of Louis B. Mayer, and the keeper of the MGM and Mayer flames and legacies, is donating MGM memorabilia and photos for the time capsule.
On Sunday, Aug. 6, the Mayer donations will be announced and on public display at the Vets Auditorium.
At 2 o’clock, Ms. Mayer will give a special Q&A presentation o in the Rotunda Room.
Everyone who has any connection to Culver City or who has seen a movie, knows the name Mayer.
Louis B. Mayer, the legendary head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, used to say the studio has “more stars than there are in heaven.”
He gave the world stars like Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, Jean Harlow, and Norma Shearer, along with fabled actors, producers, directors, and designers, while making MGM home to some of history’s favorite films, “Gone With the Wind,” “Wizard of Oz,” and “Singin’ in the Rain.”
He did all of this in Culver City.
Mr. Mayer’s sister, Ida Mayer Cummings, devoted her life to Jewish causes. She was such a powerhouse fundraiser that Bob Hope once quipped she was “the only woman I know who can grab a man by the lapels through the telephone.”
As the family historian, Alicia Mayer has taken on the responsibility of maintaining the Louis B. Mayer legacy. She is custodian of hundreds of photos and documents relating to the Cummings and Mayer families and MGM. In this special Culver City Centennial event, Alicia will share never before seen photos, memorabilia and insights into MGM.
Photos, a slideshow, and a giveaway of 10 prints of one of the rarest photos in the family collection will be featured
For one day, Ms. Mayer, a resident of Australia, will be standing on a piece of family history. The Vets Auditorium land, at the intersection of Culver Boulevard and Overland Avenue, long was a part of MGM.
For tickets or information, see http://culvercity100.org
Ms. Elias may be contacted at Elias Entertainment, 310-612-1518, @moviesharkd, @BTLRadioShow, www.BehindTheLensOnline.net