Esme Chandlee
Publicist
About This Interview
In her two-hour Archive interview, Esme Chandlee (1918-2012) discusses her first job at MGM working in the fan mail department and how this lead to her role as the head of the script department on the lot. She then discusses her move to the studio's publicity department and details what lead to her becoming a junior publicist, followed by her swift rise to senior publicist at MGM. She further delves into the inner workings of the publicity department and shares her recollections of memorable moments at the studio. Chandlee also discusses her time working at Cleary, Strauss & Irvin and eventually opening her own PR office. She also speaks candidly on the effects that Blacklisting had upon her clients and others in the industry and shares her reflections on the entertainment industry and her long and successful career. Reba Merrill conducted the interview in Los Angeles, CA on February 21, 2001.
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Highlights
Esme Chandlee on the structure of the publicity department at MGM
Clip begins at: 27:41, Duration: 01m 11s
Esme Chandlee on working with columnists like Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons
Clip begins at: 15:47, Duration: 01m 45s- Esme Chandlee on Louis B. Mayer's feelings about publicity
Clip begins at: 00:19, Duration: 00m 25s - Esme Chandlee on the philosophy that MGM had regarding publicity
Clip begins at: 27:52, Duration: 00m 24s - Esme Chandlee on the control and influence the studios had over the publicity for the stars
Clip begins at: 11:23, Duration: 04m 24s
Interview
- Part 1
- On her childhood and early influences; on her first impressions of television; on her first job at MGM, working in the fan mail department; on working as the head of the script department at MGM; on her memories of working at MGM
Clip begins at: 0:55 - On her eventual move to the publicity department at MGM; on starting out doing the billings for the MGM publicity department; on working for the Special Services Department; on becoming a junior publicist and her quick rise to senior publicist; on the structure and inner workings of the publicity department at MGM; on becoming the first woman planter for the publicity department to the media
Clip begins at: 17:15 - Part 2
- On Louis B. Mayer's feelings about publicity; on the publicity for premieres on both the large and small screen; on how the business of publicity has changed over the years; on a publicist's responsibilities while accompanying a performer on interviews; on the control and influence the studios had over the publicity for the stars; on what kinds of stories were granted interviews with the press
Clip begins at: 0:19 - On working with columnists like Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons; on further detail about working as a plant; on how MGM handled situations that could lead to negative press; on the protective nature the publicists at MGM had for their stars; on dealing with the Teamster's in 1945; on further details of her work as a Senior Publicist at MGM
Clip begins at: 15:47 - Part 3
- On how a film was publicized; on how MGM handled scandals that arose; on the increase of independent publicists in the industry; the impact of television on the film studios in the 1950's; on the still photography used for film publicity; on what makes a great publicity photo
Clip begins at: 0:23 - On campaigns for new films; on press kits for films; on the Supreme Court order that Lowe's divest itself from MGM and its impact; on the MGM 25th anniversary photo for Life magazine; on the close of Judy Garland's career at MGM; on Lana Turner leaving film work to work in television; on Louis B. Mayer's resignation from MGM in 1951; on the casting of Ben Hur; on how MGM handled the publicity of romances between stars; on The Wizard of Oz being sold by MGM to CBS
Clip begins at: 16:16 - Part 4
- On her move from MGM to Cleary, Strauss & Irvin; on working in production on the TV show, Here's Hollywood; on opening her own PR office in 1961; on maintaining the same clients over time; on acquiring new clients for her PR office; on receiving the Les Mason Award from the Publicists Guild in 1984; on her involvement with the Publicists Guild; on what advice she would give someone starting out in the field of publicity
Clip begins at: 0:15 - On how the publicity field has changed over the years; on how audiences have changed over the years; on the role of women in publicity; on the highlight of her career; on any regrets in her career; on who she considers a mentor to her; on how Blacklisting affected her clients; on how she would like to be remembered; on reflections about her career and working in entertainment
Clip begins at: 10:47
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