MGM Records was a record label started by major Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film studios in 1946, initially only for the purpose of releasing soundtrack albums. It transitioned into a pop and country music label in the 1950s and became one of the major record labels in the United States with a huge output of both singles and albums.
The 1950s labels show MGM Records as a division of Loew's Incorporated, which was the oldest chain of movie theatres in the USA, founded in 1904 by Marcus Loew, who would then launch Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1924 when he gained control of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures and Louis B. Mayer Pictures. Loew's Incorporated served as distribution arm and parent company for the studio (and also MGM Records) until the two were forced to separate by a court ruling. The two companies officially split in 1959, and record labels after that split show the label as a division of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.
MGM operated their own record manufacturing plant at Bloomfield, New Jersey from 1947 until 1972, pressing not only their own records but a great deal of sub-contract work for other record companies, including Atlantic Records. Subsidiary Cub Records was launched in the late 1950s and Verve Records was acquired from Norman Granz in December 1960. Other MGM subsidiaries and distributed labels included: Kama Sutra (from 1965 until Kama Sutra's sister label Buddah Records took over distribution in 1969), Ava, Lion, the budget label Metro, children's label Leo, Hickory, MGM South, Pride and Lionel.
MGM Records was sold to PolyGram in 1972. As part of the deal, PolyGram received perpetual rights to the "MGM Records" name and a ten year license to use the MGM trademark and logo. In 1976, MGM Records, including its artists, was absorbed into PolyGram's Polydor Records. However, PolyGram continued releasing MGM soundtrack albums and reissues using the MGM Records imprint until 1982.