Selznick

Selznick is a surname of Ashkenazi Jewish origin. In popular reference it is associated with a family prominent in American cinema, particularly the producer David O. Selznick and his father, Lewis J. Selznick, a theater owner and financier.

David O. Selznick (1902–1965) founded Selznick International Pictures in 1935. The label produced several high-profile films, including A Tale of Two Cities (1935), Gone with the Wind (1939), and Rebecca (1940). Gone with the Wind, distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, became one of the most awarded films in history, winning ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Rebecca, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, won Best Picture as well. Selznick’s production approach emphasized control over development, script work, casting, and marketing, contributing to the era’s emphasis on distinctive, auteur-driven productions.

After Selznick’s death in 1965, the company’s operations gradually dissolved, and the Selznick name became primarily a historical reference to one of Hollywood’s most influential producers. The elder Lewis J. Selznick had earlier built a theater and film financing background that helped launch the family’s involvement in entertainment. The Selznick legacy is strongly associated with landmark American cinema and the late 1930s film production model.