M. C. Levee

Michael Charles Levee (January 18, 1891 – May 24, 1972) was an American film executive.

Beginning his career as a prop man, Levee worked his way up to an executive at several different film studios, including First National Pictures, United Artists Studios, and Paramount Pictures. Levee was one of the original 36 founding members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and served as its third president from 1931 to 1932.

Levee was also one of Hollywood's top agents until his retirement in 1956, working with such stars as Mary Pickford and Joan Crawford.

Personal life Levee was one of six children growing up in Chicago. He had four brothers named Louis, George, Eddie and Sidney and a sister named Rose Levee. He was married to Rose "Mimi" Hirschkowitz on November 11, 1914, and they had two sons. The elder, Michael Levee Jr., served as Vice-President of Radnite-Mattel Productions. His younger son, John Levee, was a painter who lived in Paris. He married Barbara Poe Levee after her 1963 divorce. He died at the age of 81 from cancer in Palm Springs, California.

In 1920, Levee organized United Studios, serving as President. While working at United Studios, Levee produced The Isle of Lost Ships (1923), The White Moth (1924), starring Barbara La Marr, and Sweet Daddies (1926). In April 1926, Levee sold United Studios to Paramount Pictures. Levee was also the founder and first President of Artists Management Guild.

In the 1930s Levee started the M.C. Levee Agency directly after working at United Artists. He ran a one-man business with no staff or organization.

Founding the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences In 1927, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was founded in order to improve the media industry without receiving government help. The founders knew they could create a stronger industry by establishing unity between all groups such as writers, directors, and technicians. With such exponential growth in American film, the industry also desperately needed a standardization of equipment and techniques. The founders saw that gathering a group of professionals together could create a positive response to the issues facing the industry and so the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was born.

Levee was considered one of the fathers of the Academy alongside Douglas Fairbanks, Conrad Nagel, Milton Sills, William C. deMille and Thalberg. Much of the work Levee did for the Academy was for little or no pay, working simply for the good of the Academy. Levee, along with the other 35 founding members had great hope for what the Academy could become for the film industry. They hoped to establish a professional society which might work toward the betterment of the motion picture industry.