Matinee Classics - Nat Levine Biography & Filmography

Nat Levine DIRECTOR

NAT LEVINE BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

Nathaniel Levine was born July 26, 1899 in New York, New York. He got his start in show business as an office boy for the Loew’s theatre chain, eventually working his way up to becoming the personal secretary for Marcus Loew. Levine stayed with Loew until 1920, when he decided to venture out and create his own independent film distribution company. The pictures he helped put out where the ones that major film studios refused to promote. In 1921 he served as executive producer for one of the films he helped distribute, “Every Woman’s Problem”.

Six years after founding his company, Levine, as well as a few investors, produced a serial entitled “The Silent Flyer” (1926), which they sold to Universal Pictures. Vitalized by the success of his first picture, Levine formed Mascot Pictures to continue doing what he enjoyed. The producer put out a number of silent films like “Isle of Sunken Gold” (1927) and “The King of the Congo” (1929) before releasing the studio’s first all-talking feature, “The Phantom of the West” (1931). Additionally, while the studio did aid in the production of feature films, its specialty was in low budget serials. Many up and coming stars also found places in these pictures; celebrities like Gene Autry, Harry Carey, Tom Tyler, and John Wayne.

In 1935, the producer released one of his most notable successes, the Tom Mix serial “The Miracle Rider”. As well, many of Levine’s other sci-fi, action, and western serials also fared well, and in 1935 he struck up a deal with Herbert J. Yates to merge Mascot Pictures, Monogram Pictures, Victory Pictures, and a few other independent production companies to become Republic Pictures.

After this, Levine was put in charge of producing Republic’s serials and westerners. As well, he was asked to produce some comedies and actions. He did as he was told, producing such works as “The House of a Thousand Candles” (1936), “Robinson Crusoe of Clipper Island” (1936), “The Riders of the Whistling Skull” (1937), and “Dick Tracy” (1937), even though Yates was a difficult man to work with. Other producers quickly left due to these difficulties and formed their own studio. Levine stuck it out until 1937, where he agreed to a buyout of over $1 million.

The producer then had a short stint at MGM in the 'B' unit before sticking with a job managing a movie theater in Redondo Beach, California. He remained there for twenty years, only retiring after his health started to deteriorate somewhere in the late 1960's or early 1970's. Levine was then admitted to the Motion Picture Country Home in Woodland Hills, California where he spent the remainder of his life. The producer died on August 6, 1989. For his contributions in western film, Levine was awarded a Golden Boot.

Filmography

1946 Desert Command

1940 Men with Steel Faces

1939 Four Girls in White

1937 Dick Tracy

1937 Rootin' Tootin' Rhythm

1937 Hit Parade of 1937

1937 Hit the Saddle

1937 Circus Girl

1937 Round-Up Time in Texas

1937 Paradise Express

1937 Dick Tracy