Producer John William Considine Jr (1898–1961) had a more erudite background than most of his colleagues in the upper echelons of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, having studied at Stanford, Yale, Oxford and the University of Heidelberg. He was the son of a successful theatrical impresario.
Considine started out writing and producing at Fox, and directing one picture, Disorderly Conduct (1932). He also wrote the original story for Griffith’s Abraham Lincoln (1930). He joined MGM in 1932, and stayed at the studio for the rest of his career. He retired when he was 45, owing to health problems.
Considine’s first picture at MGM was Flesh (1932), directed by John Ford. Subsequent successes included Mad Love (1935, one of MGM’s rare stabs at the horror film), Boy’s Town (1938) and A Yank at Eton (1942).
Considine only produced two MGM musicals: Dancing Lady (in tandem with David O Selznick) and Broadway Melody of 1936.
