Irving Briskin

Briskin's film career began in 1923 as an auditor for Banner Productions, in New York City. In 1925, he moved to the Henry Ginsburg Distributing Corp.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Who's Who in Hollywood | date=May 27, 1938 | page=7 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdail73wids#page/n475/mode/2up/search/Briskin | access-date=September 7, 2020}} In 1926 he joined Sterling Pictures.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Irving J. Briskin Named Vice President | date=August 24, 1928 | page=4 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdaily4546newy#page/392/mode/2up/search/Briskin | access-date=September 7, 2020}} In July 1927, when the studio got rid of their foreign broker system and implemented their own foreign sales, Briskin was put in charge,{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Sterling Eliminates Foreign Broker System | date=July 10, 1927 | page=4 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdaily4142newy#page/72/mode/2up/search/Briskin | access-date=September 7, 2020}} becoming head of their foreign department.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Briskin Goes to Montreal | date=July 21, 1927 | page=6 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdaily4142newy#page/184/mode/2up/search/Briskin | access-date=September 7, 2020}} That year he negotiated a major sales agreement with Cinematografica Astrea in Barcelona, Spain for distributing all of Sterling's product in Spain and Portugal, as well as six of its films in Italy. {{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Sterling Makes Foreign Sales | date=September 9, 1927 | page=2 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdaily4142newy#page/610/mode/2up/search/Briskin | access-date=September 7, 2020}} And later that same year he negotiated the sale of all 18 Sterling pictures in Hungary.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Sterling Sells 18 in Hungary | date=October 26, 1927 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdaily4546newy#page/732/mode/2up/search/Briskin | access-date=September 7, 2020}} In August 1928, he was named vice president of Sterling and given control over all of the company's operations. By September 1928, Briskin had his own company, Briskin Pictures Corp., headquartered in New York City.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Mata Hari advertisement | date=September 18, 1928 | page=6 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdaily4546newy#page/732/mode/2up/search/Briskin | access-date=September 7, 2020}}

In April 1931, Briskin became president of the newly formed Meteor Pictures, in New York.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Two Series of Features Planned by Meteor Corp. | date=April 28, 1931 | page=2 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume555newy#page/1052/mode/2up/search/Briskin | access-date=September 7, 2020}}{{cite news|title=Sally M'Gowan Sues Film Director for Heart Balm |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/608488209/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=Los Angeles Evening Express |date=July 27, 1931 |page=3 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 7, 2020}} The new company had been formed from the former Briskin Distributing Company, which Briskin began in the late 1920s.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=The Book of Books | date=February 10, 1929 | page=9 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdaily4748newy#page/n345/mode/2up/search/Briskin | access-date=September 7, 2020}}{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=New Incorporations | date=May 7, 1931 | page=2 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume555newy#page/1154/mode/2up/search/Briskin | access-date=September 7, 2020}} In 1932 he moved over to Columbia Pictures, where the first film he produced was Fighting for Justice, starring Tim McCoy.{{cite web | url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/5767-FIGHTING-FOR-JUSTICE?cxt=filmography| title=Fighting for Justice | publisher=American Film Institute | access-date= September 7, 2020}} He was put in charge of all films starring McCoy, and spearheaded the transition of McCoy from Westerns to other types of films.{{cite news|title=Amusements |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50766302/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=Warren Times Mirror |date=August 10, 1934 |page=2 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 7, 2020}} In 1936, Columbia renewed his contract.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Irving Briskin Renews | date=February 17, 1936 | page=2 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume669newy#page/350/mode/2up/search/Briskin | access-date=September 7, 2020}} Briskin's contract to run his own production unit at Columbia was renewed in 1942,{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Col. Renews Briskin Pact | date=June 16, 1942 | page=5 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdail81wids#page/n483/mode/2up/search/Briskin | access-date=September 8, 2020}} and again for three years in 1944.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=I. Briskin gets new Col. Pact | date=March 8, 1944 | page=10 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdaily85wids#page/n597/mode/2up/search/Briskin | access-date=September 8, 2020}} 1945 saw Briskin become the executive assistant to Harry Cohn at Columbia.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Riding Herd on the Hollywood News Range | date=August 28, 1945 | page=7 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdaily88wids#page/n405/mode/2up/search/Briskin | access-date=September 8, 2020}} In 1951, Briskin re-signed a seven-year contract with Columbia, to continue on as vice-president of the studio.{{cite news|title=Amusements |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/23862296/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=The Brownsville Herald |date=April 8, 1951 |page=25 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 7, 2020}}{{cite news|title=Amusements |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/386038812/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=January 5, 1954 |page=28 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 7, 2020}} In 1952, Briskin announced that he had an signed a deal with Ford Motors for Columbia to produce 39 half-hour films to be shown on television.{{cite news|title=Hollywood |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/31056691/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |author=Gene Hunsaker |newspaper=The Blizzard (Oil City, Pennsylvania) |date=July 2, 1952 |page=6 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 7, 2020}}

In 1956, Briskin began his own production company, Briskin Productions, to release television material through Screen Gems, Columbia's television subsidiary. At the same time, he continued as V.P. at Columbia, and was put in charge of all production at Screen Gems.{{cite journal|date=June 11, 1956 |title=Briskin to Form Company |journal=Broadcasting|page=52}}{{cite news|title=Grants Offered by Screen Gems |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/623683045/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=The Pomona Progress-Bulletin |date=April 17, 1956 |page=16 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 7, 2020}} In doing so, Briskin resigned from his duties as the studio manager for Columbia's film division, to focus on television production.{{cite news|title=Brando Eyed For Role as 1st Envoy to Japan |author=Louella O. Parsons |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/458434531/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner |date=June 4, 1956 |page=27 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 7, 2020}} In April 1956, Briskin initiated a series of writing scholarships to encourage young talent. This was the first time in history this had been done. Six schools were to participate, with the first three selected being Fordham University, University of Chicago, and Iowa State University.{{cite news|title=Scholarships To Go To Video Writers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/23481740/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=The Amarillo Globe-Times |date=April 26, 1956 |page=23 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 7, 2020}}{{cite news|title=KING Launches Two New Shows |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/491046363/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=The Vancouver Sun |date=April 23, 1956 |page=25 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 7, 2020}} In May 1946 he hired Mickey Rooney to produce a new series, Calamity Jane, although the show never seems to have been aired.{{cite news|title=Rooney Becomes TV Producer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/618439323/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=The Miami Herald |date=May 27, 1956 |page=10 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 7, 2020}} Later in 1956, Briskin negotiated with Sam Cohn for a $1 million budget for television production for Screen Gems.{{cite news|title=Big Budget for Screen Gems Set |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/580646471/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=Valley Times |date=July 4, 1956 |page=5 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 7, 2020}} His production produced several series for Screen Gems for the 1957 season, including Casey Jones.{{cite news|title=Telefilm Firm Offers Cash To Producers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/397568233/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution |date=October 23, 1956 |page=14 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 7, 2020}} Also in 1956, Briskin set up a $2.5 million fund to entice independent producers to create product to be distributed through Screen Gems. The caveat was that the production either had to have a star attached, or be a very "powerful idea". Briskin said, "there are many producers seeking not only financing, but affiliation with an organization which can give their potential programs everything needed from production facilities to distribution and sales."{{cite news|title=Finance Fund Of $2,500,000 For TV Ideas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/421024177/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=The Gazette (Montreal, Quebec) |date=October 27, 1956 |page=32 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 7, 2020}}

One of the productions Briskin was in charge of was Playhouse 90, which was broadcast on CBS-TV.{{cite news|title=Army of Production Workers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/319216861 |newspaper=Tampa Bay Times |date=April 14, 1957 |page=179 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 8, 2020}} By August 1957, Briskin had turned Screen Gems into the leading producer of content for television in Hollywood.{{cite news|title=On The Air |author=Erskine Johnson |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/4714426/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=The Sandusky Register |date=August 19, 1957 |page=16 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 8, 2020}} One of the projects which Briskin created, but was never released was a television series based on The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, which he created a pilot for, but the three networks passed on due to it being "too adult for popular appeal".{{cite news|title=Everybody's Getting Into Act |author=Mike Connolly |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/238533852/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, California) |date=July 4, 1959 |page=4 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 8, 2020}} In 1959 Briskin was promoted at Columbia, and left the Screen Gems subsidiary, where he was replaced by William Dozier.{{cite news|title=William Dozier Quits CBS-TV |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/380887992/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=September 25, 1959 |page=28 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 8, 2020}} In 1962, Briskin resigned from Columbia Pictures. However, he came back as an independent producer late in the year.{{cite news|title=Briskin To Make Movie From Unpublished Novel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/491034130/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=The Record (Hackensack, New Jersey) |date=October 2, 1962 |page=44 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 8, 2020}} In November, he joined with Debbie Reynolds and formed Harmon Enterprises. Reynolds was the president, with Briskin serving as vice-president. The company was to shoot on MGM lot.{{cite news|title=Natalie Wood Wants To Do Comedy Next |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/105076940/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |date=November 12, 1962 |page=12 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 8, 2020}}{{cite news|title=Command Performance |author=Louella Parsons |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/458486979/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner |date=October 5, 1963 |page=13 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 8, 2020}}

In October 1940, Briskin purchased the Pepper Lane Farm, one of the oldest residences in southern California, dating from the 1850s. The farm was the estate of Alan O. Stearns and was located in Reseda, California, and consisted of seven acres.{{cite news|title=Motion Picture Man Buys Historic Estate |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/385505756/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=October 20, 1940 |page=71 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 7, 2020}} Briskin sold the estate for $65,000 in 1946 to a non-profit group, Field Photo Homes, Inc., who intended to develop the property into a memorial for the 13 men of the O.S.S.' Field Photo Unit during World War II. The purchase price had been donated by John Ford.{{cite news|title=Notable Farm Transferred to Renowned Wartime Unit |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/380830675/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=January 20, 1946 |page=13 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 7, 2020}} The memorial ranch opened in July 1946.{{cite news|title=Memorial to O.S.S. Dead Opens in Reseda |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/579827509/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=Valley Times |date=July 8, 1946 |page=2 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 7, 2020}}

His son, Frederick Briskin, was an assistant director at Columbia,{{cite news|title=Los Angeles City Briefs |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/380843831/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=March 12, 1947 |page=7 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 7, 2020}} and he also had a daughter, Joyce.{{cite news|title='Baby Doctor' Scheduled to Be Next Jerry Lewis Production |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/356069568/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=The Courier (Waterloo, Iowa) |date=May 23, 1957 |page=22 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 8, 2020}}

He was elected the head of Temple Israel of Hollywood twice, in 1947 and 1950.{{cite news|title=Ground Broken in Hollywood for Synagogue |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/381261588/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=May 19, 1947 |page=5 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 7, 2020}}{{cite news|title=Temple Group Will Install Film Official |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/381238560/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=January 21, 1950 |page=17 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 7, 2020}} In 1950, he served as one of the pallbearers at the funeral of Al Jolson.{{cite news|title=Thousand Bid Adieu to Al Jolson at Hollywood Funeral |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/385601263/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=October 27, 1950 |page=3 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 7, 2020}} In June 1955, he suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital.{{cite news|title=Little Old New York |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/454796170/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=New York Daily News |author=Ed Sullivan |date=June 13, 1955 |page=42 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 7, 2020}} He was also a pall-bearer for Harry Cohn in 1958.{{cite news|title=Film Leaders Gather For Harry Cohn Rites |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/177953104/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=March 2, 1958 |page=22 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 8, 2020}} Briskin was one of the founding members of the Friar's Club of California.{{cite news|title=Briskin Honored |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/580382135/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=Valley Times (North Hollywood, California) |date=January 30, 1961 |page=44 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 8, 2020}}

In 1961, Briskin purchased a 2.5 percent share of the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada for $62,500.{{cite news|title=Las Vegas Licenses to Two |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/658833188/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=The Kansas City Times |date=July 20, 1961 |page=2 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 8, 2020}} In December 1962, Briskin sold his 2.5 percent interest back to hotel corporation, for exactly what he paid for it the year before.{{cite news|title=Gaming Commission Approves New License Bids |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/148301370/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=December 18, 1962 |page=17 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 8, 2020}}

Briskin died on May 29, 1981.{{cite news|title=Obituaries: Irving Briskin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/542971153/?terms=%22Irving%2BBriskin%22 |newspaper=The Muscatine Journal (Muscatine, Iowa)|date=July 1, 1981 |page=70 |via = Newspapers.com|access-date = September 8, 2020}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{IMDb name|0109855}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Briskin, Irving}}

Category:Film producers from New York (state)

Category:1903 births

Category:1981 deaths