In the glittering world of Hollywood, few careers have been as colorful or as transformative as that of Jennings Lang. From his beginnings as a New York lawyer to becoming one of Universal’s most ambitious producers, Lang’s story reads like a script from one of his own movies – complete with scandal, innovation, and spectacular successes.
Getting Started
When Lang arrived in Hollywood in 1938, he wasn’t carrying a producer’s portfolio but a lawyer’s briefcase. Within a year, however, he had pivoted to become a talent agent, partnering with Flora Pam, who would later become his first wife. His sharp legal mind and keen eye for talent quickly made him one of Hollywood’s most formidable agents, rising to become president of the Jaffe agency before joining the powerhouse MCA.
Personal Drama
In December 1951, Lang’s career nearly came to a dramatic end in a parking lot. Film producer Walter Wanger, convinced Lang was having an affair with his wife, actress Joan Bennett, shot Lang in the left thigh. The incident became front-page news, with Wanger serving four months in prison after pleading insanity. In a tragic twist, Lang’s wife Flora, who had publicly stood by him during the scandal, passed away shortly afterward.
The Television Pioneer
Rather than let the scandal define him, Lang reinvented himself at MCA TV Limited. As vice president, he became a crucial figure in television’s golden age, developing iconic series like “Wagon Train,” “The Bob Cummings Show,” and “McHale’s Navy.” His understanding of audience tastes and ability to shepherd projects from concept to screen proved invaluable in the burgeoning television industry.
Master of the Disaster Epic
By the 1970s, Lang had found his true calling as a theatrical film producer. He developed a particular flair for disaster epics, understanding that audiences craved spectacle on a massive scale. His crowning achievements included “Airport 1975” and “Earthquake,” the latter featuring the innovative Sensurround technology that literally shook theaters during dramatic sequences.
The Dirty Harry Connection
One of Lang’s most interesting, though lesser-known, contributions to cinema history came through his involvement with “Dirty Harry.” In 1969, Lang was the first to bring the original screenplay (then titled “Dead Right”) to Clint Eastwood’s attention. When other major stars passed on the project, including John Wayne and Frank Sinatra, Lang found himself unable to secure a lead actor and sold the film rights to ABC Television. However, ABC found the script too violent for television, which led to Warner Bros. acquiring the rights. This circuitous path ultimately resulted in the film landing with Clint Eastwood, who reverted the development back to the original screenplay and in the process created one of cinema’s most iconic characters, uttering some of the most memorable lines in film history. “Wel,, do ya, punk?”
Lang’s working relationship with Eastwood extended to other projects as well. He’d earlier worked with Eastwood on the actor’s directorial debut, “Play Misty for Me,” as well as the westerns, “The Beguiled,” (a critical and commercial failure) and the successful “High Plains Drifter.”
The Producer’s Touch
What set Lang apart was his comprehensive understanding of the entertainment industry from multiple angles – legal, talent management, television, and film production. He brought this unique perspective to each project, knowing how to balance creative ambition with commercial viability. His experience as an agent gave him an edge in working with talent, while his legal background helped him navigate the complex dealings of Hollywood productions.
Lang’s career was cut short by a stroke in 1983, but not before he had left an indelible mark on the industry. He passed away in 1996, leaving behind a legacy that demonstrated the evolving role of the producer in Hollywood – from mere financier to creative force.
In many ways, Jennings Lang embodied the American dream in Hollywood: a New York lawyer who transformed himself into one of the industry’s most versatile and successful producers. His career serves as a masterclass in adaptation, resilience, and the art of bringing spectacular entertainment to the masses.
His story reminds us that the best producers are more than just money managers – they’re visionaries who can spot trends, nurture talent, and push the boundaries of what’s possible in entertainment. From surviving scandal to pioneering new technologies like Sensurround, Lang’s career demonstrated that sometimes the most dramatic stories in Hollywood happen behind the camera.