Culver City : MGM Plans to Leave Town

The famous MGM lion, pestered by poor financial health, is in search of a cheaper lair.

MGM leases office space at the Filmland Corp. Center in Culver City. It is trying to get out of the lease, forged in the high interest rates ‘80s, in favor of a recession-rate lease, probably in Santa Monica, industry sources said. MGM would not comment on the move.

MGM is negotiating with Sony Pictures Entertainment to take over the lease, a Sony spokeswoman said. Sony can use the office space as an interim step in relocating its far-flung media operations to the studio lot next door.

Culver City officials confirmed rumors of MGM’s imminent departure earlier this week. MGM has been making movies in Culver City since the 1920s. Many local residents have worked at the studio or played extras.

The “Leo the Lion” sign sitting on top of the Filmland building has stood in Culver City for more than half a century.

“It will be a sad day in Culver-town when the sign is removed that has graced this community for such a long time,” City Manager Jody Hall-Esser said. “We’re sad to see them go.”

According Esser, there was nothing the city could do to persuade MGM to stay.