The Last Tycoon (1976)

In the bustling and glitzy backdrop of 1930's Hollywood, the tale of "The Last Tycoon" unfolds, weaving a complex narrative of passion, power, and the price of dreams. Monroe Stahr, revered as a film production prodigy, navigates the treacherous tides of International World Films. Known for his uncanny ability to extract the raw truth and emotional essence from his projects, Stahr is the industry's 'wonder boy'. However, beneath the glamour, the specter of his tragic past haunts him - the loss of his beloved, the legendary movie star Mina Davis. Stahr's relentless devotion to his craft, a tribute to Mina's memory, has left him with a deteriorating health. His days are spent wrestling with temperamental stars, placating disgruntled directors and writers who resent his firm methods, and dealing with the studio's Board, led by his old associate Pat Brady. Brady is as cold as the bottom line of costs and revenues that he represents. Simultaneously, the youthful Cecilia Brady, coming into her own sexuality, is hopelessly smitten with Stahr, who remains oblivious to her affections. Stahr's heart, instead, is captivated by a distant figure - an Irish immigrant named Kathleen Moore, whose uncanny resemblance to Mina is undeniable. Yet, Kathleen's life is a labyrinth of complications that may not have room for Stahr. Meanwhile, the winds of change sweep through Hollywood as guilds and unions begin to form. Stahr's arch-nemesis, union organizer Brimmer, emerges. Undeterred, Stahr clings to his old ways, outmaneuvering Brimmer at every turn. Yet, his single-minded pursuit of Kathleen and neglect of Cecilia incenses Pat Brady, leading to a dangerous game of power and retaliation. With mounting pressures and a failing health, Stahr's world teeters on the brink of collapse. "The Last Tycoon," based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's unfinished final novel, is a poignant exploration of the human spirit. Monroe Stahr, inspired by Irving Thalberg, MGM's famed production chief, and Pat Brady, modeled after the legendary MGM co-founder Louis B. Mayer, embody the tumultuous dynamics of Hollywood's golden era. The movie promises a riveting journey into a world where dreams are crafted, and the dreamers pay the price.

The Last Tycoon is a drama movie featuring Robert De Niro and directed by Elia Kazan.

The Last Tycoon is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on DIRECTV, Hoopla and Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel .

It is also possible to buy The Last Tycoon on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Vudu and YouTube or rent it on Spectrum On Demand.