The Ankler bracket is underway, and thanks to all of you who participated in the first round of the Old Hollywood bracket. Your self-esteem is likely in good shape, with lower seeds winning six of the eight matchups. The biggest upset to my mind: William Paley defeating Adolph Zukor, which is either a statement on how people are feeling about Paramount these days or maybe you’re merely nostalgic for your youth (or that of your parents or grandparents) watching the so-called “hick-coms” like The Andy Griffith Show and Green Acres.
Perhaps less surprising? Lew Wasserman’s win over Abe Lastfogel in the 6-11 matchup. But let me ask you this: Lastfogel, founder of the William Morris Agency, may have lost, but has he ever had this kind of spike in Google search interest?
That first peak is me checking the spelling of his name over and over. The rest is all you, dear readers.
Here’s what the Old Hollywood bracket looks like heading into round two (which will be next week):
(Photo illustration by The Ankler)
Coming up this week:
Wednesday, March 27: Big IP Hollywood
Thursday, March 28: Streaming Era
And with that, here are today’s matchups — the names that defined a certain golden era of Hollywood creativity as its young guns:
The 1970s and 1980s in Hollywood witnessed a dynamic shift marked by innovative filmmaking, blockbuster hits and powerful studio executives navigating the industry amidst cultural upheavals and technological advancements. No MBAs, no cowards — and finally, not all men. Let’s vote:
