Louis Lewyn (1891-1969) was a producer and director, and occasional writer, who worked on MGM’s short films during the 1930s.
In 1920-21, Lewyn produced 24 short documentaries called Screen Snapshots, establishing his area of specialism as Hollywood itself. He would shoot in the places film stars went to hang out.
He established Louis Lewyn Productions, which released short films predominantly through MGM. Notable series included The Voice of Hollywood (1929-32) and Hollywood on Parade (1932-34). In the mid-30s, Lewyn produced pictures in early Technicolor. One of these, La Fiesta de Santa Barbara (1935), was produced and directed by Lewyn, and was nominated for the Oscar for best colour short film.
Lewyn’s involvement in MGM’s musical feature Hollywood Party is an outlier in his career, though the title and subject place it very much in his wheelhouse.
