Robert H. O'brien; Former Head Of Mgm Made His Home Here

Robert H. O'Brien's favorite film during his tenure as president of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios was the romantic epic "Doctor Zhivago."

He was proud of "2001: A Space Odyssey," which set a benchmark for film technology and special effects. He also had enjoyed overseeing production of "The Dirty Dozen."

But "Zhivago," based on Boris Pasternak's sweeping novel set in the Russian Revolution, fully engaged Mr. O'Brien's sensibilities.

"He considered `Zhivago' his crowning achievement," said his nephew, Dee McGonigle of Seattle. "He had tremendous respect for David Lean, the director. They knew they had a real show there. The initial reviews were not good. And `The Sound of Music' won (the Academy Award for) Best Picture. But `Zhivago' stood the test of time."

Mr. O'Brien, who supported humanitarian causes while an executive in New York, was well-read and principled, said McGonigle. He knew literature; he could empathize with poets and revolutionaries.

"He was a lifelong Catholic and had a great respect and concern for the underdog and the socially disadvantaged," said McGonigle. "In 1966 he was given the Brotherhood Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews for distinguished service in human relations."

Mr. O'Brien, a Seattle resident since 1986, died Monday (Oct. 6) of a stroke. He was 93.

Born in Helena, Mont., he grew up in Butte where he played football for Butte High School. He also played football at Beloit College in Wisconsin, where he earned a business degree. After working in geology and sampling at Anaconda Copper, he attended the University of Chicago law school, graduating in 1933.

He did legal work for the Public Works Administration, then was appointed commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission's utilities division in 1942.

In 1945, on the advice of colleagues, he moved into film. He served as assistant to the president of Paramount Pictures, then became executive vice president of ABC-Paramount Theatres.

Mr. O'Brien became treasurer and vice president of MGM in 1957, and president in 1963.

"He had a great interest in film," said McGonigle. "And he had a vision for the development of television, which he didn't think ever occurred. He thought the medium could better serve (the public) in terms of education and moral values."

One of Mr. O'Brien's favorite MGM stories concerned a proxy fight by dissident stockholders in 1969, presaging the studio's 1970 buyout by Las Vegas businessman Kirk Kerkorian.

"One of the dissidents was saying how some board members had not even invested in movies," said McGonigle. "One of the board members there was (retired) Gen. Omar Bradley . . . (who) said, "You're right. When you were making money and buying real estate, we were fighting a war . . . so I didn't have a lot of time or money to invest in pictures.' "'

Mr. O'Brien retired from MGM in 1970, shortly after the deaths of his first wife Ellen and his daughter Jo Ellen. He moved to Spokane to do consulting work for colleges and other clients there.

He moved to Seattle later to be near family.

Other survivors include his second wife, to whom he was married for 22 years, Minna O'Brien of Seattle; and grandnieces and grandnephews. His first wife, to whom he was married 42 years, Ellen Ford O'Brien, died in 1969. His daughter, Jo Ellen O'Brien, died in 1970.

A requiem Mass and burial were to be held today in Butte.

Carole Beers' phone message number is 206-464-2391. Her e-mail address is: cbee-new@seatimes.com