Joe Pasternak
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Joseph Herman Pasternak (born József Paszternák; September 19, 1901 – September 13, 1991) was a Hungarian-American film producer in Hollywood. Pasternak spent the Hollywood "Golden Age" of musicals at
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, commonly shortened to MGM or MGM Studios) is an American Film production, film and television production and film distribution, distribution company headquartered ...
, producing many successful musicals with female singing stars like Deanna Durbin, Kathryn Grayson and Jane Powell, as well as swimmer/bathing beauty Esther Williams' films. He produced Judy Garland's final
MGM Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, commonly shortened to MGM or MGM Studios) is an American Film production, film and television production and film distribution, distribution company headquartered ...
film, '' Summer Stock'', which was released in 1950, and some of
Gene Kelly Eugene Curran Kelly (August 23, 1912 – February 2, 1996) was an American dancer, actor, singer, director and choreographer. He was known for his energetic and athletic dancing style and sought to create a new form of American dance accessibl ...
’s early breakthrough roles. Pasternak worked in the film industry for 45 years, from the later silent era until shortly past the end of the
classical Hollywood cinema In film criticism, Classical Hollywood cinema is both a narrative and visual style of filmmaking that first developed in the 1910s to 1920s during the later years of the Silent film#Silent film era, silent film era. It then became characteristi ...
in the early 1960s.


Biography


Early life

He was born to a Jewish family in Szilágysomlyó,
Austria-Hungary Austria-Hungary, also referred to as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Dual Monarchy or the Habsburg Monarchy, was a multi-national constitutional monarchy in Central Europe#Before World War I, Central Europe between 1867 and 1918. A military ...
(now Șimleu Silvaniei, Romania). His father was a town clerk and Pasternak was one of 11 children. In 1920, he immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager and stayed with an uncle in Philadelphia. He worked in a factory, punching holes in leather belts, and did a variety of other jobs. He also studied acting in New York.


Assistant director

In 1922, Pasternak gained a job as a busboy at
Paramount Paramount (from the word ''paramount'' meaning "above all others") may refer to: Entertainment and music companies * Paramount Global, also known simply as Paramount, an American mass media company formerly known as ViacomCBS. **Paramount Picture ...
's Astoria studio in Queens, New York City at $8 a week; after a year, he was head waiter and making $120 per week, including tips. He quit in 1923 to become an assistant for director
Allan Dwan Allan Dwan (born Joseph Aloysius Dwan; April 3, 1885 – December 28, 1981) was a pioneering Canadian-born American motion picture director, producer, and screenwriter. Early life Born Joseph Aloysius Dwan in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Dwan was ...
and worked his way up from fourth assistant at $16 per week to first assistant at $75 per week. He worked as an assistant director on '' The Phantom of the Opera'' (1925) and '' It's the Old Army Game'' (1926). He tried directing, a two-reeler with El Brendel. It was seen by
Wesley Ruggles Wesley Ruggles (June 11, 1889 – January 8, 1972) was an American film director. Life and work He was born in Los Angeles, California, younger brother of actor Charlie Ruggles. He began his career in 1915 as an actor, appearing in a doz ...
who offered him a job at Universal Studios as an assistant director at $35 a week.


Germany

In 1928, Universal sent Pasternak to Europe as an associate producer to work on German-language films for the international market. Pasternak produced a series of movies directed by, and often starring,
William Dieterle William Dieterle (July 15, 1893 – December 9, 1972) was a German-born actor and film director who emigrated to the United States in 1930 to leave a worsening political situation. He worked in Cinema of the United States, Hollywood primarily a ...
: ''
The Brandenburg Arch ''The Brandenburg Arch'' () is a 1929 German silent drama film directed by Max Knaake and William Dieterle and starring Paul Henckels, June Marlowe and Aribert Mog.Bock & Bergfelder p. 90 It was made by the German branch of Universal Pictures ...
'' in 1929 with
Paul Henckels Paul Henckels (9 September 1885 – 27 May 1967) was a German film and stage actor. He appeared in more than 230 films between 1921 and 1965. Paul Henckels had started his acting career on the stage in the 1900s. He was well known for his eccen ...
and
June Marlowe June Marlowe (born Gisela Valaria Goetten, November 6, 1903 – March 10, 1984) was an American film actress who began her career during the silent film era. She was best known for her role as "Miss Crabtree" in the ''Our Gang'' short subj ...
; '' Triumph of Love'' and '' Silence in the Forest'' also in 1929; '' Rustle of Spring'' and '' Ludwig II, King of Bavaria'', a drama, both in 1930, and '' One Hour of Happiness'' in 1931. Pasternak also produced three films directed by Edmund Heuberger and starring Eddie Polo: ''
Secret Police image:Putin-Stasi-Ausweis.png, 300px, Vladimir Putin's secret police identity card, issued by the East German Stasi while he was working as a Soviet KGB liaison officer from 1985 to 1989. Both organizations used similar forms of repression. Secre ...
'' (1929), '' Witnesses Wanted'' (1930), and '' Of Life and Death'' (1930). Other Pasternak films included '' The Daredevil Reporter'' (1929), written by
Billy Wilder Billy Wilder (; ; born Samuel Wilder; June 22, 1906 – March 27, 2002) was an American filmmaker and screenwriter. His career in Hollywood (film industry), Hollywood spanned five decades, and he is regarded as one of the most brilliant and ver ...
, starring Eddie Polo and directed by Ernst Laemmle; '' Next, Please!'' (1930) directed by Erich Schönfelder; '' Two People'' (1930) with Charlotte Susa directed by Erich Waschneck; '' The Great Longing'' (1930), directed by Steve Sekely; '' Seitensprünge'' (''Infidelity'', 1931); '' Ich geh' aus und Du bleibst da'' (''The Inconstant: I go out and you stay here'' in German and French, 1931); '' Der Storch streikt'' (''The Stork Strikes'', 1931); '' The Night Without Pause'' (1931) with Sig Arno co-directed by
Andrew Marton Andrew Marton (born Endre Marton; 26 January 1904 – 7 January 1992) was a Hungarian-American film director. In his career, he directed 39 films and television programs, and worked on 16 as a second unit director, including the chariot race in ...
; '' Bobby geht los'' (''Bobby goes off'', 1931); '' A Tremendously Rich Man'' (1932); '' Five from the Jazz Band'' (1932) directed by Erich Engel; and '' The Rebel'' (1932), a historical epic directed by Curtis Bernhardt, Edwin H. Knopf and star Luis Trenker. Pasternak shot '' Secret Agent'' (1932) and '' Johnny Steals Europe'' (1932) both with Harry Piel, then '' A Tremendously Rich Man'' (1932) with director Steve Sekely, '' Die unsichtbare Front'' (''The Invisible Secretary'', 1933) and '' Pardon, tévedtem'' (''Excuse me, I was wrong'', 1933). (Note translations are basic, not officially approved titles.)


Hungary

When Hitler came to power in Germany, Pasternak moved to Hungary. There he did a series of films starring Franciska Gaal: '' Romance in Budapest'' (1933) with Sekely (also shot in German as '' Scandal in Budapest''); '' A Precocious Girl'' (1934), directed by Max Neufeld and Richard Eichberg; '' Spring Parade'' (1934); '' Peter'' (1934) directed by
Henry Koster Henry Koster (born Hermann Kosterlitz, May 1, 1905 – September 21, 1988) was a German-born film director. He was the husband of actress Peggy Moran. Early life Koster was born to Jewish parents in Berlin, Germany. He was introduced to cin ...
; '' Little Mother'' (1934) (later remade in Hollywood as '' Bachelor Mother''); and '' Catherine the Last'' (1936).


Universal in Hollywood

Pasternak (right) receiving his star on Johnny Grant with
Gene Kelly Eugene Curran Kelly (August 23, 1912 – February 2, 1996) was an American dancer, actor, singer, director and choreographer. He was known for his energetic and athletic dancing style and sought to create a new form of American dance accessibl ...
on the left on July 29, 1991. Universal recalled Pasternak, giving him a $500 a week contract. He brought back
Henry Koster Henry Koster (born Hermann Kosterlitz, May 1, 1905 – September 21, 1988) was a German-born film director. He was the husband of actress Peggy Moran. Early life Koster was born to Jewish parents in Berlin, Germany. He was introduced to cin ...
with him and the two men set about making the sort of movie they had in Europe. "No one's going to get sick or die in my pictures", Pasternak said at the time. "That's no form of entertainment." After seeing her in the short '' Every Sunday'' (1936), Pasternak cast 14-year-old Canadian singer Deanna Durbin in '' Three Smart Girls'' (also 1936), directed by Koster. The film became a huge hit and reputedly saved Universal from bankruptcy. He followed it with two more Durbin films, '' One Hundred Men and a Girl'' (1937), directed by Koster, and '' Mad About Music'' (1938), directed by
Norman Taurog Norman Rae Taurog (February 23, 1899 – April 7, 1981) was an American film director and screenwriter. From 1920 to 1968, Taurog directed 180 films. At the age of 32, he received the Academy Award for Best Director for ''Skippy (film), Skippy' ...
. In 1938, Pasternak did a comedy, '' Youth Takes a Fling'', then was back with Durbin for '' That Certain Age'' (1938), and '' Three Smart Girls Grow Up'' (1939). In all, Pasternak made ten films with Durbin. Pasternak soon discovered soprano Gloria Jean, who began her own series in 1939, starting with '' The Under-Pup'' (1939). He produced Durbin again in '' First Love'' (1939). He had a large hit with the comedy Western '' Destry Rides Again'' (1939), starring Marlene Dietrich and James Stewart, which helped revitalise Dietrich's career. Pasternak alternated among the three female stars. With Durbin, he did '' It's a Date'' (1940), '' Spring Parade'' (1940) (a remake of his 1934 film), '' Nice Girl?'' (1940) and '' It Started with Eve'' (1941). With Jean, he did '' A Little Bit of Heaven'' (1940), a sort of sequel to ''The Under-Pup''. With Dietrich, he did '' Seven Sinners'' (1940) (with
John Wayne Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne, was an American actor. Nicknamed "Duke", he became a Pop icon, popular icon through his starring roles in films which were produced during Hollywood' ...
) and '' The Flame of New Orleans'' (1941). In June 1941, after finishing ''Eve'', Pasterrnak left Universal. Although he still had two years to run on his contract, he had "differences of opinion" with the studio's management, and by mutual consent, the parties elected to terminate the contract.


MGM

In June 1941, Pasternak announced he had joined
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, commonly shortened to MGM or MGM Studios) is an American Film production, film and television production and film distribution, distribution company headquartered ...
as a producer for a reported $3,500 per week. Several studios had been interested in placing him under contract, but Louis B. Mayer wanted Pasternak and allowed the producer several concessions. Mayer assigned young soprano Kathryn Grayson, who had only made one film for MGM, to Pasternak's unit so that he might make her into a star like Durbin. Pasternak later sat on the executive committee and came to be regarded as one of the three most important persons in the company, alongside Louis B. Mayer and Vice President Sam Katz. At MGM, he continued to produce operetta films, starting with '' Seven Sweethearts'' (1942) starring Grayson, and '' Presenting Lily Mars'' (1943) starring Judy Garland. Both films were successful at the box-office.. Pasternak followed these with '' Thousands Cheer'' (1943) with Grayson and
Gene Kelly Eugene Curran Kelly (August 23, 1912 – February 2, 1996) was an American dancer, actor, singer, director and choreographer. He was known for his energetic and athletic dancing style and sought to create a new form of American dance accessibl ...
, which was a huge hit; '' Song of Russia'' (1944), a musical which later became problematic because of its pro-Russian viewpoint; '' Two Girls and a Sailor'' (1944) with June Allyson, Van Johnson and Gloria DeHaven, and '' Music for Millions'' (1944) with Allyson and Margaret O'Brien. All these films were hits. Pasternak was responsible for Esther Williams' first vehicle '' Thrill of a Romance'' (1945); it made over $3 million in profits. Similarly well received by audiences was '' Anchors Aweigh'' (1945) with Grayson,
Gene Kelly Eugene Curran Kelly (August 23, 1912 – February 2, 1996) was an American dancer, actor, singer, director and choreographer. He was known for his energetic and athletic dancing style and sought to create a new form of American dance accessibl ...
and
Frank Sinatra Francis Albert Sinatra (; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Honorific nicknames in popular music, Nicknamed the "Chairman of the Board" and "Ol' Blue Eyes", he is regarded as one of the Time 100: The Most I ...
. Pasternak also made several non-musical romantic comedy hits, including '' Her Highness and the Bellboy'' (1945) with Hedy Lamarr and Robert Walker, and '' No Leave, No Love'' (1946) with Johnson. However, around this time Pasternak mostly specialized in musicals: '' Two Sisters from Boston'' (1946) with Grayson and Allyson was a box-office success, as was, '' Holiday in Mexico'' (1946) with Walter Pidgeon and Jane Powell in her debut for MGM. However, '' The Unfinished Dance'' (1947) with O'Brien and Cyd Charisse lost over a million dollars – the first Pasternak MGM film to do so. '' This Time for Keeps'' (1947) with Esther Williams, was profitable. In 1948, Pasternak had mixed results. '' Three Daring Daughters'' in 1948 with Powell and
Jeanette MacDonald Jeanette Anna MacDonald (June 18, 1903 – January 14, 1965) was an American soprano and actress best remembered for her musical films of the 1930s with Maurice Chevalier (''The Love Parade'', ''Love Me Tonight'', ''The Merry Widow (1934 film) ...
, while popular, lost money. Pasternak also tried his first drama in the U.S. with '' Big City'' (1948), starring O'Brien, which was a big money loser. More popular were the 1948 musicals '' On an Island with You'' with Williams; '' A Date with Judy'' with Jane Powell, Wallace Beery and
Elizabeth Taylor Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor (February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011) was an English and American actress. She began her career as a child actress in the early 1940s and was one of the most popular stars of classical Hollywood cinema in the 19 ...
; and '' Luxury Liner'' again with Powell. Pasternak unfortunately had a big flop with the Sinatra-Grayson musical '' The Kissing Bandit'' that same year, which lost MGM over $2 million. Pasternak bounced back with '' In the Good Old Summertime'' (1949) with Garland and Johnson, and introduced Mario Lanza in '' That Midnight Kiss'' with Kathryn Grayson, which was a solid hit. '' Nancy Goes to Rio'' with Powell, a remake of ''It's a Date'', made a minor loss. In 1950, '' The Toast of New Orleans'' with Grayson was a solid hit, as was '' Duchess of Idaho'' with Williams. Pasternak produced the final Judy Garland film at MGM, '' Summer Stock'' in 1950, co-starring Gene Kelly, and then had the biggest hit of his career to date with '' The Great Caruso'' (1951), a vehicle for Mario Lanza which made almost $4 million in profit for the studio. After the popular '' Rich, Young and Pretty'' (1951) with Powell, Pasternak made a film noir with
Mickey Rooney Mickey Rooney (born Ninnian Joseph Yule Jr.; other pseudonym Mickey Maguire; September 23, 1920 – April 6, 2014) was an American actor. In a career spanning nearly nine decades, he appeared in more than 300 films and was among the last survivi ...
, '' The Strip'' (1951) which flopped. Typical was '' Skirts Ahoy!'' (1952) with Esther Williams; '' The Merry Widow'' (1952) with
Lana Turner Julia Jean "Lana" Turner ( ; February 8, 1921June 29, 1995) was an American actress. Over a career spanning nearly five decades, she achieved fame as both a pin-up model and a film actress, as well as for her highly publicized personal life. ...
and Fernando Lamas; and '' Because You're Mine'' (1952) with Lanza. '' Small Town Girl'' (1953) with Powell lost money, as did '' Latin Lovers'' (1953) with Turner and Ricardo Montalbán, but '' Easy to Love'' (1953) with Williams and Johnson was another hit. Pasternak again tried a drama, this time with Turner, '' Flame and the Flesh'' (1954), but it was not a notable success. However, ''
The Student Prince ''The Student Prince'' is an operetta in a prologue and four acts with music by Sigmund Romberg and book and lyrics by Dorothy Donnelly. It is based on Wilhelm Meyer-Förster's play ''Old Heidelberg (play), Old Heidelberg''. The piece has a scor ...
'' (1954) with Ann Blyth and
Edmund Purdom Edmund Cutlar Purdom (19 December 19261 January 2009)
miming to Mario Lanza singing, was a huge success. Pasternak did '' Hit the Deck'' (1955) with Powell,
Vic Damone Vic Damone (born Vito Rocco Farinola; June 12, 1928 – February 11, 2018) was an American traditional pop music, pop and big band singer and actor. He was best known for his performances of songs such as the number one hit "You're Breaking My ...
and
Debbie Reynolds Mary Frances "Debbie" Reynolds (April 1, 1932 – December 28, 2016) was an American actress, singer and entrepreneur. Her acting career spanned almost 70 years. Reynolds performed on stage and television and in films into her 80s. She was nom ...
, which was popular but failed to recoup its cost. ''
Athena Athena or Athene, often given the epithet Pallas, is an ancient Greek religion, ancient Greek goddess associated with wisdom, warfare, and handicraft who was later syncretism, syncretized with the Roman goddess Minerva. Athena was regarde ...
'' in 1955 with Powell, Reynolds, Damone and Purdom, was a straight out flop. '' Meet Me in Las Vegas'' (1955) with Charisse was well received, but failed to recoup its cost. The industry was changing, and musicals were becoming increasingly unprofitable for MGM. Conversely, a tough biopic Pasternak produced about Ruth Etting, '' Love Me or Leave Me'' (1955), starring
Doris Day Doris Day (born Doris Mary Kappelhoff; April 3, 1922 – May 13, 2019) was an American actress and singer. She began her career as a big band singer in 1937, achieving commercial success in 1945 with two No. 1 recordings, "Sentimental Journey ...
and James Cagney, was a hit. In 1956, Pasternak published his memoir ''Easy the Hard Way''. Pasternak had two big flop musicals, '' The Opposite Sex'' (1956), a remake of ''The Women'' with Allyson, and '' Ten Thousand Bedrooms'' (1957) with
Dean Martin Dean Martin (born Dino Paul Crocetti; June 7, 1917 – December 25, 1995) was an American singer, actor, and comedian. Nicknamed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, King of Cool", he is regarded as one of the most popular entertainers of ...
. Also unsuccessful was the Jean Simmons comedy '' This Could Be the Night'' (also 1957). It was then time for a change.


Euterpe

In April 1956, Pasternak left MGM after 14 years. He set up the independent production company Euterpe with Sam Katz. They made an agreement with Columbia to finance their films, and announced several projects: ''The Chiselers'' starring Alan Ladd; ''Three Blondes''; ''Gidget'', based on the novel by Frederick Kohner; and ''Nora'', an original screenplay by Felix Jackson. However Euterpe and Columbia could not come to terms and dissolved their agreement in November 1957. Pasternak set up Euterpe back at MGM. He was an immediate success, turning out four hits in a row: a highly regarded thriller, '' Party Girl'' (1958), with Robert Taylor and Cyd Charisse; two comedies with David Niven: '' Ask Any Girl'' (1959) with Shirley MacLaine and '' Please Don't Eat the Daisies'' (1960) with Day; and a teen comedy, '' Where the Boys Are'' (1960), which introduced a group of new stars: George Hamilton, Dolores Hart, Yvette Mimieux,
Connie Francis Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero ( ; born December 12, 1937), known as Connie Francis, is a retired American Pop music, pop singer, actress, and top-charting female vocalist of the late 1950s and early 1960s. She is estimated to have sold more th ...
, Jim Hutton, and Paula Prentiss. In the 1960s, Pasternak produced a mix of hits and misses. He reunited Hutton and Prentiss in '' The Horizontal Lieutenant'' (1962), but it was not as popular as ''Boys''. Then he had a failure with '' Billy Rose's Jumbo'' (1962) starring Day, which lost almost $4 million. However, Pasternak responded with a comedy starring Glenn Ford, '' The Courtship of Eddie's Father'' (1963) that was a hit; the film featured Ronny Howard (later known as
Ron Howard Ronald William Howard (born March 1, 1954) is an American filmmaker and actor. Howard started his career as a child actor before transitioning to directing films. Over his six-decade career, Howard has received List of awards and nominations r ...
), showing the producer still retained an ability to discover young performers. Less successful was '' A Ticklish Affair'' (1963) with
Shirley Jones Shirley Mae Jones (born March 31, 1934) is an American actress and singer. In her six decades in show business, she has starred as wholesome characters in a number of musical films, such as ''Oklahoma! (film), Oklahoma!'' (1955), ''Carousel (fi ...
and '' Looking for Love'' (1964) with Francis and Hutton. He did a poorly-received musical with Ann-Margret (in a part turned down by Doris Day), '' Made in Paris'' (1966), then made two
Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one of the most significant cultural figures of the ...
films co-starring Shelley Fabares, '' Girl Happy'' (1965) and '' Spinout'' (1966), both of which made money. He also did a Natalie Wood comedy '' Penelope'' (1966), which was a box-office disappointment. Pasternak produced the 1965, 1966 and 1967 Academy Awards. In 1966 he was honored with a retrospective of his work.


20th Century Fox

In 1967, Pasternak left MGM and became affiliated with
20th Century Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc., formerly 20th Century Fox, is an American film studio, film production and Film distributor, distribution company owned by the Walt Disney Studios (division), Walt Disney Studios, the film studios division of the ...
, but made only one film for Fox, '' The Sweet Ride'' (1968). Pasternak had a stroke before filming, and ''Sweet Ride'' would turn out to be his last film. In 1968, he was also stricken with
Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease (PD), or simply Parkinson's, is a neurodegenerative disease primarily of the central nervous system, affecting both motor system, motor and non-motor systems. Symptoms typically develop gradually and non-motor issues become ...
. He recovered slightly two years later but made no more films. He said at the time: "I am proud that I have produced 105 pictures and not one of them is adults only." In 1980, he estimated his films had earned $400 million. "If I had a percentage I'd be the richest man in town", he said. His career as a film producer spanned 40 years and earned him two
Oscar Oscar, OSCAR, or The Oscar may refer to: People and fictional and mythical characters * Oscar (given name), including lists of people and fictional characters named Oscar, Óscar or Oskar * Oscar (footballer, born 1954), Brazilian footballer ...
nominations and three
Golden Globe Award The Golden Globe Awards are awards presented for excellence in both international film and television. It is an annual award ceremony held since 1944 to honor artists and professionals and their work. The ceremony is normally held every Janua ...
nominations. He retired in 1968.


Personal

Pasternak is the father of Michael Joseph Pasternak, the radio disk jockey known as Emperor Rosko; Jeff Pasternak, a playwright and songwriter; and Peter Pasternak, a music industry professional. He was married to Dorothy. Pasternak also wrote a cookbook titled ''Cooking with Love and Paprika'', published by Bernard Geis Associates in 1966. The book includes stories of dinner parties, entertaining tips, his life history, and Hungarian recipes.


Death and tribute

Joe Pasternak died in
Beverly Hills, California Beverly Hills is a city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. A notable and historic suburb of Los Angeles, it is located just southwest of the Hollywood Hills, approximately northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Beverly Hills ...
from complications arising from Parkinson's disease six days before his 90th birthday. He is interred in the
Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery The Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery is a Jewish cemetery in Culver City, California, United States. Many Jewish people from the entertainment industry are buried there. The cemetery is known for Al Jolson's elaborate tomb (designed by Los Angeles ...
in
Culver City, California Culver City is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,779. It is mostly surrounded by Los Angeles, but also shares a border with the unincorporated area of Ladera Heights, Californi ...
. For his contribution to the motion picture industry, Joe Pasternak has a star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a landmark which consists of 2,813 five-pointed terrazzo-and-brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in the Hollywood, Los Angeles, Hollywood dist ...
at 1541 N. Vine Street. David Chandler (writer) recorded and wrote the autobiography of Joe Pasternak, ''Easy the Hard Way'', published by G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York 1956.


Partial filmography

* '' Ludwig II, King of Bavaria'' (1929) * '' Rustle of Spring'' (1929) * ''
Secret Police image:Putin-Stasi-Ausweis.png, 300px, Vladimir Putin's secret police identity card, issued by the East German Stasi while he was working as a Soviet KGB liaison officer from 1985 to 1989. Both organizations used similar forms of repression. Secre ...
'' (1929) * '' The Daredevil Reporter'' (1929) * '' Two People'' (1930) * '' Witnesses Wanted'' (1930) * '' Of Life and Death'' (1930) * '' Next, Please!'' (1930) * '' The Night Without Pause'' (1931) * '' I Go Out and You Stay Here'' (1931) * '' Bobby Gets Going'' (1931) * '' Five from the Jazz Band'' (1932) * '' The Rebel'' (1932) * '' A Tremendously Rich Man'' (1932) * '' Secret Agent'' (1932) * '' The Invisible Front'' (1932) * '' Romance in Budapest'' (1933) * '' Scandal in Budapest'' (1933) * '' Peter'' (1934) * '' Spring Parade'' (1934) * '' A Precocious Girl'' (1934) * '' Little Mother'' (1935) * '' Catherine the Last'' (1936) *'' Three Smart Girls'' (1936) *'' One Hundred Men and a Girl'' (1937) *'' Mad About Music'' (1938) *'' Youth Takes a Fling'' (1938) *'' That Certain Age'' (1938) *'' Three Smart Girls Grow Up'' (1938) *'' The Under-Pup'' (1939) *'' First Love'' (1939) *'' Destry Rides Again '' (1939) *'' It's a Date'' (1940) *'' Spring Parade'' (1940) *'' A Little Bit of Heaven'' (1940) *'' Seven Sinners'' (1940) *'' Nice Girl?'' (1940) *'' The Flame of New Orleans'' (1941) *'' It Started with Eve'' (1941) *'' Seven Sweethearts'' (1942) *'' Presenting Lily Mars'' (1943) *'' Thousands Cheer'' (1943) *'' Song of Russia'' (1944) *'' Two Girls and a Sailor'' (1944) *'' Music for Millions'' (1944) *'' Thrill of a Romance'' (1945) *'' Anchors Aweigh'' (1945) *'' Her Highness and the Bellboy'' (1945) *'' Two Sisters from Boston'' (1946) *'' Holiday in Mexico'' (1946) *'' No Leave, No Love'' (1946) *'' The Unfinished Dance'' (1947) *'' This Time for Keeps'' (1947) *'' Three Daring Daughters'' (1948) *'' Big City'' (1948) *'' On an Island with You'' (1948) *'' A Date with Judy'' (1948) *'' Luxury Liner'' (1948) *'' The Kissing Bandit'' (1948) *'' In the Good Old Summertime'' (1949) *'' That Midnight Kiss'' (1949) *'' Nancy Goes to Rio'' (1950) *'' Duchess of Idaho'' (1950) *'' The Toast of New Orleans'' (1950) *'' Summer Stock'' (1950) *'' The Great Caruso'' (1951) *'' Rich, Young and Pretty'' (1951) *'' The Strip'' (1951) *'' Skirts Ahoy!'' (1952) *'' The Merry Widow'' (1952) *'' Because You're Mine'' (1952) *'' Small Town Girl'' (1953) *'' Latin Lovers'' (1953) *'' Easy to Love'' (1953) *'' Flame and the Flesh'' (1954) *''
The Student Prince ''The Student Prince'' is an operetta in a prologue and four acts with music by Sigmund Romberg and book and lyrics by Dorothy Donnelly. It is based on Wilhelm Meyer-Förster's play ''Old Heidelberg (play), Old Heidelberg''. The piece has a scor ...
'' (1954) *''
Athena Athena or Athene, often given the epithet Pallas, is an ancient Greek religion, ancient Greek goddess associated with wisdom, warfare, and handicraft who was later syncretism, syncretized with the Roman goddess Minerva. Athena was regarde ...
'' (1954) *'' Hit the Deck'' (1955) *'' Love Me or Leave Me'' (1955) *'' Meet Me in Las Vegas'' (1956) *'' The Opposite Sex'' (1956) *'' Ten Thousand Bedrooms'' (1957) *'' This Could Be the Night'' (1957) *'' Party Girl'' (1958) *'' Ask Any Girl'' (1959) *'' Please Don't Eat the Daisies'' (1960) *'' Where the Boys Are'' (1960) *'' The Horizontal Lieutenant'' (1962) *'' Billy Rose's Jumbo'' (1962) *'' The Courtship of Eddie's Father'' (1963) *'' A Ticklish Affair'' (1963) *'' Looking for Love'' (1964) *'' Girl Happy'' (1965) *'' Spinout'' (1966) *'' Made in Paris'' (1966) *'' Penelope'' (1966) *'' The Sweet Ride'' (1968)


References


External links

* *
Obituary
at
New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

Obituary
at Los Angeles Times {{DEFAULTSORT:Pasternak, Joe 1901 births 1991 deaths People from Șimleu Silvaniei People from the Kingdom of Hungary Hungarian Jews American people of Hungarian-Jewish descent American film producers Burials at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery Hungarian film producers Deaths from Parkinson's disease in California 20th-century American businesspeople Hungarian emigrants to the United States