Rising Star: The Birth of Columbia Pictures is a 1976 American biographical drama film produced and directed by Elizabeth Burston. Set against the backdrop of post-World War I America, Rising Star chronicles the tumultuous and inspiring journey of Columbia Pictures' inception, from its humble beginnings as the CBC Film Sales Corporation in 1918 to its transformation into a Hollywood powerhouse by 1936. At its core, the story is a tale of ambition, innovation, and the struggle to create a dream factory during the birth of modern cinema.
Plot[]
The film opens in the aftermath of World War I, with Jack Cohn, a driven New York-born producer, leaving his position at Universal Pictures to start his own company. Teaming up with his ambitious brother Harry Cohn and their partner Joe Brandt, they found the CBC Film Sales Corporation in a cramped office in New York City. With little more than their savings, a passion for storytelling, and a desire to challenge the larger studios, the trio begins producing short films, focusing on slapstick comedies and low-budget Westerns. The tension between Jack's business pragmatism, Harry's brash but visionary leadership, and Brandt's cautious approach forms the emotional heart of the story. Their clashes highlight the challenges of running a fledgling studio amidst the rapidly evolving film industry.
As CBC grows, the team realizes they must relocate to Hollywood to compete with the burgeoning West Coast studios. The brothers face numerous obstacles, from securing sound stages to finding reliable talent. Harry’s temper and sharp-tongued approach alienate potential collaborators, but his relentless pursuit of success begins to pay off when the studio lands its first modest hit. Meanwhile, Jack struggles with his family obligations, torn between his responsibilities to the business and his longing to spend more time with his wife and children. The relationship between the Cohn brothers is strained as Harry's uncompromising nature drives Jack and Brandt to question their partnership.
Tired of being mocked as "Corned Beef and Cabbage" (CBC), Harry insists on rebranding the company. He proposes the name Columbia Pictures, inspired by the female personification of America, symbolizing their ambition to create films as iconic as their new moniker. The transition is rocky; financial struggles, cutthroat competition, and internal power dynamics threaten to unravel the business. However, the studio begins to attract emerging talent, including directors like Frank Capra, who becomes a pivotal figure in shaping Columbia’s identity. The film depicts Capra’s arrival as a turning point, with Harry gambling everything on the director’s unique vision, resulting in critical and financial breakthroughs.
With the advent of sound in film, Columbia faces new challenges. The brothers risk everything to adapt to the era of “talkies,” acquiring state-of-the-art sound equipment and securing the rights to daring scripts. The release of 1929's The Donovan Affair marks their first foray into sound films, proving Columbia's resilience and ingenuity.
The studio’s struggles culminate in the release of 1934's It Happened One Night, a romantic comedy directed by Frank Capra. Initially dismissed by the industry, the film becomes a critical and commercial success, sweeping the Oscars and cementing Columbia’s place in Hollywood history. The triumph brings a moment of reconciliation for Jack and Harry, as they acknowledge their shared dream and the sacrifices they made to achieve it.
The film concludes with a montage of Columbia’s early successes, juxtaposed with the personal toll of their journey. Jack and Harry stand outside the studio gates, reflecting on their rise from obscurity to industry prominence. Their conversation, tinged with both pride and regret, underscores the cost of their ambition but celebrates the empire they built together. As the screen fades to black, the iconic Columbia logo shines brightly, symbolizing the enduring legacy of the studio.