Joseph M. Schenck

Recognizing the potential, in 1909 the Schenck brothers purchased Palisades Amusement Park and afterward became participants in the fledgling motion picture industry in partnership with Marcus Loew, operating a chain of movie theaters.

In 1916, through his involvement in the film business, Joseph Schenck met and married Norma Talmadge, a top young star with Vitagraph Studios.

[4][5] After parting ways with his brother, Joseph Schenck moved to the West Coast where the future of the film industry seemed to lie.

Caught in a payoff scheme to buy peace with the militant unions, he was convicted of income tax evasion and spent time in prison.

[7] Following his release, he returned to 20th Century Fox where he became infatuated with the then unknown Marilyn Monroe, and played a key role in launching her career.