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Joseph M. Schenck

Joseph M. Schenck

Producer · Died October 22, 1961, aged 84 · Yaroslav, Russian Empire

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Joseph Michael Schenck (/ˈskɛŋk/; December 25, 1876 – October 22, 1961) was a Russian-born American film studio executive. Schenck was born to a Jewish family in Rybinsk, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia. He and his family – including younger brother Nicholas – emigrated to New York City in July 1892 under the name Ossip Schenker. Recognizing the potential, in 1909 the Schenck brothers purchased Palisades Amusement Park and afterward became participants in the fledgling motion picture industry in partnership with Marcus Loew, operating a chain of movie theaters. In 1916, through his involvement in the film business, Joseph Schenck met and married Norma Talmadge, a top young star with Vitagraph Studios. He would be the first of her three husbands, but she was his only wife. Schenck supervised, controlled and nurtured her career in alliance with her mother. In 1917 the couple formed the Norma Talmadge Film Corporation, which became a lucrative enterprise. They divorced in 1934; Schenck then built a home in Palm Springs, California. After parting ways with his brother, Joseph Schenck moved to the West Coast where the future of the film industry seemed to lie. Within a few years Schenck was made the second president of the new United Artists. In 1933 he partnered with Darryl F. Zanuck to create Twentieth Century Pictures that merged with Fox Film Corporation in 1935. As chairman of the new 20th Century Fox, he was one of the most powerful and influential people in the film business. Caught in a payoff scheme to buy peace with the militant unions, he was convicted of income tax evasion and spent time in prison before being granted a presidential pardon. Following his release, he returned to 20th Century Fox where he became infatuated with the unknown Marilyn Monroe, and played a key role in launching her career. One of the founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, in 1952 he was given a special Academy Award in recognition of his contribution to the development of the film industry. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6757 Hollywood Blvd. Schenck retired in 1957 and shortly afterward suffered a stroke, from which he never fully recovered. He died in Los Angeles in 1961 at the age of 84, and was interred in Maimonides Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 25, 1876
Died
October 22, 1961 (aged 84)
From
Yaroslav, Russian Empire
Works as
Producer
Titles
20 on MovieCove · 102 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 12% in 30 days

What are Joseph M. Schenck's films like?

Across their 15 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 80th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 97th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 57th percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
40%
Self
29%
Morality
17%
Society
10%
Power
4%
Romantic love8 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themePower2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 15 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 13 · Serious 1 · Dark 1

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 2 · Stylized 10 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 6 · Charged 9 · Intense 0

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 7 · Shifting 6 · Whiplash 2

Funny: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their funny movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 2 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 9

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 6 · Relentless 3

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 9 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 12 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 0

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
10
Romantic
8
Thrilling
5
Absurd
6
Tense
2
Other
9

How their films linger

Fun12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy12
  • Bittersweet2
  • Tragic1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Joseph M. Schenck's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 19 of their 20 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Joseph M. Schenck's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

102 credits, 20 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • As You Like It(1936)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Prisoner of Shark Island(1936)

    Presenter

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Folies Bergère (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    Producer

  • The Affairs of Cellini(1934)

    Presenter

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Born to Be Bad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    Executive Producer

  • The Last Gentleman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    Producer

  • Ye Olden Days(1933)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Mickey's Mellerdrammer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Producer

  • Mickey's Pal Pluto (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Producer

  • Hallelujah, I'm a Bum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Executive Producer

  • The Mad Doctor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Producer

  • Building a Building(1933)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Rain(1932)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • The Bat Whispers(1930)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Abraham Lincoln(1930)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Du Barry, Woman of Passion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    Producer

  • The Bad One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    Producer

  • One Romantic Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    Producer

  • Be Yourself! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    Executive Producer

  • The Wizard's Apprentice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    Presenter

  • Reaching for the Moon(1930)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • New York Nights (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    Producer

  • Eternal Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    Producer

  • Alibi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    Presenter

  • Lady of the Pavements (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    Producer

  • The Woman Disputed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    Producer

  • Tempest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    Executive Producer

  • Steamboat Bill, Jr.(1928)

    Executive Producer · Presenter

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • College(1927)

    Presenter · Producer

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Camille (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    Producer

  • The General(1926)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • The Duchess of Buffalo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    Producer

  • Battling Butler(1926)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Kiki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    Presenter

  • Go West(1925)

    Presenter · Producer

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Her Sister from Paris (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    Producer

  • Seven Chances(1925)

    Presenter · Producer

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Eagle(1925)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Navigator(1924)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Sherlock Jr.(1924)

    Presenter · Producer

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Our Hospitality(1923)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Dangerous Maid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    Producer

  • Three Ages(1923)

    Presenter · Producer

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Ashes of Vengeance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    Producer

  • The Love Nest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    Producer

  • The Voice from the Minaret (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    Executive Producer

  • The Balloonatic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    Producer

  • Day Dreams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    Producer

  • The Electric House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    Producer

  • The Eternal Flame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    Producer

  • The Frozen North (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    Producer

  • The Blacksmith (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    Producer

  • My Wife's Relations (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    Producer

  • Cops (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    Producer

  • Smilin' Through (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    Executive Producer

  • The Paleface (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    Producer

  • The Boat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1921)

    Producer

  • The Play House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1921)

    Producer

  • The Goat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1921)

    Presenter · Producer

  • Lessons in Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1921)

    Presenter

  • The High Sign (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1921)

    Producer

  • The Haunted House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1921)

    Producer

  • Mama's Affair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1921)

    Producer

  • Neighbors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    Presenter · Producer

  • The Scarecrow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    Presenter

  • Convict 13 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    Producer

  • The Branded Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    Producer

  • One Week (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    Presenter · Producer

  • The Woman Gives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    Producer

  • The Garage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    Producer

  • A Daughter of Two Worlds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    Producer

  • She Loves and Lies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    Producer

  • The Hayseed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1919)

    Producer

  • The Isle of Conquest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1919)

    Producer

  • A Temperamental Wife (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1919)

    Presenter

  • Back Stage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1919)

    Producer

  • The Probation Wife (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1919)

    Producer

  • The New Moon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1919)

    Producer

  • The Bank Clerk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1919)

    Producer

  • The Heart of Wetona (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1919)

    Producer

  • The Forbidden City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    Producer

  • The Cook (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    Producer

  • Her Only Way (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    Producer

  • Good Night, Nurse! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    Producer

  • De Luxe Annie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    Producer

  • Moonshine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    Producer

  • Just a Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    Presenter

  • The Bell Boy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    Producer

  • Out West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    Producer

  • The Ghosts of Yesterday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    Producer

  • A Country Hero (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    Producer

  • The Secret of the Storm Country (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    Producer

  • Coney Island (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    Producer

  • The Moth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    Producer

  • Oh, Doctor! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    Producer

  • His Wedding Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    Producer

  • The Rough House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    Producer

  • A Reckless Romeo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    Producer

  • Poppy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    Producer

  • The Butcher Boy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    Producer

  • The Law of Compensation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    Producer

  • Panthea (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    Producer

Career shape

A full career of 100 titles from 1917 to 1936.

Biggest box office

Rain (1932)

$1.5M worldwide

Highest rated

Sherlock Jr. (1924)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

The General (1926)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Producing91 of 100: 82 only producing, 9 with another role · typical Midcredits score80thOther crew18 of 100: 9 only other crew, 9 with another role · typical Midcredits score86th

100 titles, 9 with more than one role — producing and other crew overlap on 9 of them.

By decade

1910s30 · crew1920s50 · crew1930s20 · crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Joseph M. Schenck's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 80th percentile, the median of all 20; across their 15 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 76th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

76thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Approval · how many liked their films

79thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Reach · how many have seen their films

65thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Midcredits score across 20 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th3
  • 25th to 49th3
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

None of their 20 titles divides audiences: 10 are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Crowd Pleaser10
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed3

Most loved · producer

Sherlock Jr. (1924)

Midcredits 98th · 86% liked

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Joseph M. Schenck's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 27 · mildMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 5 · minimalMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 0 · minimalMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 22 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 27 · mildMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Joseph M. Schenck work with?

People who share at least 2 of Joseph M. Schenck's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Buster Keaton shares the most, 9.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Mixed roles