Benedict Bogeaus

Benedict Bogeaus (May 4, 1904, in Chicago – August 23, 1968, in Hollywood), was an independent film producer and former owner of General Service Studios.

Biography and filmography

After careers in real estate, zipper manufacture, and inventing a portable film developing unit, Bogeaus arrived in Hollywood in 1940.

When AT&T's Western Electric unit that manufactured sound equipment for film was forced by an antitrust action to divest itself of the General Service Studio complex, Bogeaus outbid producer Edward Small to acquire the studio. He allowed the United States Government to use his complex for film work and leased it out to various independent film producers, keeping his eye on their progress.

Forming Benedict Bogeaus Productions in 1944, his first films were The Bridge of San Luis Rey followed by Dark Waters, Diary of a Chambermaid and Captain Kidd.

Though these films were critically acclaimed, they didn't set the box office on fire. Realising the public's attraction to low and middle budget films with star power, Bogeaus signed George Raft on for a few films, beginning with Mr. Ace.

In 1950 Bogeaus formed a partnership with director Allan Dwan making several films including Silver Lode and Slightly Scarlet both starring John Payne.

Bogeaus was married from 1939–1944 to actress Mimi Forsythe and from 1944 to 1962 to actress Dolores Moran.

His last production was Most Dangerous Man Alive directed by Dwan that was filmed in 1958 but not released until 1961. Dwan and Bogeaus cooperated in three unfilmed projects, a remake of The Bridge at San Luis Rey, Will You Marry Me, written by Dwan, and The Glass Wall.

Quotes

"All independent producers go broke sooner or later. It's because they try and make artistic pictures. I make good commercial ones. It pays off".