Peter Levathes Explained

Peter Levathes (28 July 1911 – 9 January 2002) was an American film and advertising executive, best known for briefly running 20th Century Fox.

Biography

Levathes was born in Pittsburgh and grew up in Washington. He attended Harvard University and studied law at Georgetown University. joined Fox in 1937 as legal assistant to Spyros Skouras, president of the company. During World War II he was a special agent with the FBI in Brazil, helping survey German military operations in Latin American.

From 1945–52 he led the Fox news and television production departments. He helped put together the documentary Crusade in Europe, worked as a television consultant to Citizens for Eisenhower in 1952, then as vice president in change of media and television for advertising agency Young & Rubicam for eight years.

Production Chief at Fox

He left advertising in 1959 to run Fox's television division.^[1] In May 1961 he was appointed head of production, replacing Robert Goldstein, who had been doing the job since the death of Buddy Adler.^{[2] [3]}

Among Levathes main actions at Fox were:

• signing Irwin Allen to a three-picture contract^[4]
• signing Rod Taylor to a deal for films and television^[5]
• purchasing the rights to Doctor Dolittle^[6]

In March 1962 Levathes announced Fox would make 14 films from a possible 17 including:^[7]

• two unnamed productions from Darryl F. Zanuck
• Gideon Goes to War from Mark Robson
• Something's Got to Give starring Marilyn Monroe
• The Story of General Patton
• The Jungle from the novel by James Michener
• First Love from the play based on the Romain Gary novel
• The Enemy Within based on the book by Robert F. Kennedy produced by Jerry Wald
• Celebration based on the play by William Inge produced by Wald
• Ulysses based on the novel by James Joyce produced by Wald
• Take Her She's Mine based on the hit play
• The Battle of Leyte Gulf
• Happily Ever After based on the story by Vera Caspry
• Drink to Me Only by Ira Wallack and Abram S. Giness
• Evil Come, Evil Go a suspense story starring Pat Boone
• Love in a Cool Climate based on novel by Frederick Kohner to star Ann-Margret and Pamela Tiffin
• Five Weeks in a Balloon based on novel by Jules Verne

Levathes cancelled Something's Got to Give during production.^[8] Later that month his champion, Spyrous Skouras, was forced to retire.^[9] Daryl F. Zanuck returned as president and Levathes resigned from his position in August, becoming head of television. Ulysses, Promise at Dawn and Take Her, She's Mine were all postponed.^[10]

He was fired from Fox in 1962, then returned to advertising.^[11]

Films made/developed under Levathes at Fox

• Five Weeks in a Balloon (1962)
• Tender Is the Night (1962)
• Cleopatra (1963)
• Something's Got to Give (1963) (abandoned)

Films purchased but made under different regime

• The Sound of Music (1965)^[12]

Films announced but not made

• A Summer World (1962) – postponed^[13]
• The Greatest Story Ever Told – studio passed on project, which was made by United Artists^[14]
• Big River, Big Man^[15]

External links

• • Ilias Chrissochoidis (ed.), The Cleopatra Files: Selected Documents from the Spyros P. Skouras Archive (Stanford, 2013).

Notes and References

1. News: Advertising: Monsanto Is Consolidating Its Marketing Activities. CARL SPIELVOGEL. Oct 6, 1959. New York Times. 61.
2. News: USTINOV TO BEGIN 'BILLY BUDD' FILM: Will Adapt, Produce, Direct and Act in Movie in Spain. HOWARD THOMPSON. May 3, 1961. New York Times. 32.
3. News: GOLDSTEIN IS OUT AS STUDIO CHIEF: Fox Executive Returning to London -- Levathes in Post. EUGENE ARCHER. June 16, 1961. New York Times. 29.
4. News: Irwin Allen Signs Multiple Film Deal. June 28, 1961. Los Angeles Times. C11.
5. News: Looking at Hollywood: 20th Signs Rod Taylor to Film, TV Pact. Hopper, Hedda. Dec 1, 1961. Chicago Daily Tribune. b11.
6. News: Woman Producer Gets Doolittle Story. Hopper, Hedda. Aug 7, 1962. Chicago Daily Tribune. a3.
7. News: 14 Films Planned This Year by Fox Studios: Multi-Million Dollar Productions Set for Release in 1963, Executives Announce. Mar 1, 1962. Los Angeles Times. C15.
8. News: Marilyn Monroe Film is Scrapped by Studio. June 12, 1962. Chicago Daily Tribune. a2.
9. News: A chapter in the decline and fall of Hollywood: HUMILIATION OF MR SKOURAS. Cooke, Alistair. The Guardian. London (UK). 29 June 1962. 11.
10. News: 4 Officials Leave Fox Posts; 3 Films Delayed: Levathes Will Take Over TV Division; Bergman, Stewart Movies Called Off. Aug 28, 1962. Los Angeles Times. A2.
11. https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/17/business/peter-levathes-90-movie-tv-and-ad-executive.html Obituary
12. News: Biggest Money-Making Movie Of All Time--How Come?: In some cities, attendance at the movie exceeds the population Biggest Money-Making Movie of All Time At its Minneapolis preview, people stood up and applauded Julie Andrews was paid a flat $225,000 for her part. JOAN BARTHEL. Nov 20, 1966. New York Times. SM13.
13. News: Entertainment: Dillman to Star in 'Summer World' Jocelyn Brando Gets Lead Role in 'The Ugly American'. Hopper, Hedda. July 3, 1961. Los Angeles Times. 11.
14. News: FILM ABOUT JESUS POSTPONED BY FOX: Multimillion Dollar 'Greatest Story' Is Off Indefinitely. EUGENE ARCHER. Sep 1, 1961. New York Times. 11.
15. News: Powell Producing 'Big Man' at 20th: Churchill Son Asked to Leave; Burr Gallery Benefits Culture. Hopper, Hedda. Oct 23, 1961. Los Angeles Times. C10.