The studio proved moderately successful, but became most famous due to its iconic Leo the Lion trademark.

Although Metro was the nominal survivor, the merged studio inherited Goldwyn's old facility in Culver City, California, where it would remain until 1986.

In August 1918, Goldwyn Pictures signed Will Rogers, at that time a Broadway Follies favorite, to star in a Rex Beach production, Laughing Bill Hyde, filmed at the Fort Lee studio for release in September.

[2][4] Goldfish then headed west to Culver City, California in 1918; opening operations there also caused an increase in film expenses.

[6] Goldwyn began looking to follow other film companies, like Loews Theaters/Metro Pictures and First National, into vertical integration.

Instead, with the Capitol Theatre soon to be opened and the owners, headed by Messmore Kendall, looking for an operator to partner with, agreed to a stock swap and board seats, the Goldwyn Picture company and Moredall Realty Corporation.

The Moredall Board, however, did not want the theater to rely only on Goldwyn films and operated The Capitol Theatre separately from the rest of the company.