The movie mogul Louis B. Mayer emigrated as a child with his parents from Russia. He began his road to success when he purchased a house, refurbished it as a nickelodeon, and opened one of the earliest custom-designed cinemas. He established theaters throughout New England, which led him to Metro Films and the formation of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1924. He helped create the Hollywood star system and hatched the idea for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.