1965 MGM vault fire

On August 10, 1965, an inferno engulfed Vault 7, a storage unit situated within the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio (now Sony Pictures Studios) in Culver City, California. The blaze originated from an electrical malfunction, sparking a catastrophic chain reaction with the nitrate film stored within. Tragically, the initial blast claimed the life of at least one individual. Subsequently, the intense flames ravaged the entirety of the vault, consuming a treasure trove of cinematic history. Among the casualties were irreplaceable prints of silent and early sound films crafted by MGM and its precursor entities. This calamity forever erased the sole existing copies of numerous cinematic gems, leaving a profound void in the annals of film history.

Background

The storage vaults, situated on Lot 3, were strategically spaced apart to mitigate the risk of fire spread. Studio manager Roger Mayer likened these vaults to "concrete bunk houses," emphasizing their role in safeguarding films from theft. Despite lacking sprinkler systems, each vault featured only a modest roof fan for ventilation. Mayer downplayed the significance of sprinklers, asserting that their absence didn't significantly contribute to the minimal losses suffered due to fire.

In contrast to prevailing industry practices, MGM prioritized the preservation of its early productions, along with those of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures, and Louis B. Mayer Productions. The studio refrained from the widespread destruction of its catalog, even going as far as conserving films of seemingly limited commercial appeal. Starting in the 1930s, MGM initiated the donation of prints and negatives of its silent films to film archives, primarily the George Eastman House. Furthermore, in the early 1960s, under Mayer's leadership, the studio embarked on a preservation endeavor, transferring nitrate film prints onto safer mediums.

Fire

Shortly before 10:00 p.m. on August 10, 1965, an electrical malfunction ignited the nitrate film stored in Vault 7 on Lot 3, leading to a powerful explosion and subsequent fire. The force of the blast caused the vault's ceiling to collapse onto the film canisters within. Witnesses, including film historian Rudy Behlmer, heard the explosion from adjacent Lots 1 and 2. While executive Roger Mayer claimed there was at least one fatality, contemporary newspaper reports suggested no lives were lost. Despite efforts to extinguish the flames, none of the films stored in the vault could be salvaged.

Thanks to MGM's dedication to preserving its silent and early sound film catalog, the fire did not result in significant losses. Remarkably, 68% of MGM's silent films survived, the highest survival rate among major studios. Nonetheless, the fire obliterated the sole existing copies of numerous silent films, including Lon Chaney's "A Blind Bargain" (1922), "London After Midnight" (1927), and Greta Garbo's "The Divine Woman" (1928).

List of the last known film copies are completely destroyed

Pre-Merger

Metro Pictures (1915-1924)

1916

• The Black Butterfly (December 4) [L]

Goldwyn Pictures (1916-1924)

1917

• Polly of the Circus (September 16) [R]

1918

• The Glorious Adventure (July 14) [L]

1922

• A Blind Bargain (December 10) [L]

Post-Merger

Silent films

1927

• Yale vs. Harvard (September 24) (Our Gang/Little Rascals) [L]
• The Old Wallop (October 22) (Our Gang/Little Rascals) [PL]
• London After Midnight (December 3) [L]

1928

• The Divine Woman (January 14) [I] [PF]
• Edison, Marconi & Co. (March 9) (Our Gang/Little Rascals) [L]
• The Big City (March 24) [L]
• The Actress (April 28) [L]
• Growing Pains (September 22) [L]
• The Cameraman (September 22) [R]
• School Begins (November 17) (Our Gang/Little Rascals) [L]

Sound films

1934

• Jail Birds of Paradise (March 10)

Key

• [R] = Films are now rediscovered
• [PF] = Films are now partially found
• [PL] = Films are now partially lost
• [I] = Films are now incomplete
• [L] = Films are now completely lost