A history of the movies (1931)

Record Details:

Title:
A history of the movies
Date:
1931
Publisher:
New York : Covici, Friede Inc.
Volume:
A history of the movies
Leaf #:
00095
Language:
English
Collection:
Books
Format:
Books
Contributor:
Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum
Sponsor:
Media History Digital Library
Coordinator:
Media History Digital Library
Description:
Date Added:
March 28, 2024
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CHAPTER FIVE THE STAR SYSTEM I HE independents, lacking at the start the effective organization and large revenues of the trust, and handicapped constantly by the fierce litigation and smashing tactics of their opponents, nevertheless had one great advantage over the ten licensed manufacturers of the patents company — the "outlaws" were free to try all experiments that promised to please the public, while the trust producers were restricted by the footage-royalty system under which they operated. The men at the head of the patents company had organized their enterprise in accordance with the best practices of mass production. Their conception of the desires and needs of the film-consuming public was good merchandise, of standard, reliable quality, manufactured in large quantities, and retailed at low prices. Confident they had assured the production of reliable quality, by the inclusion in the corporation of all capable manufacturers, they expected regularity and stability in their business. "Novel and ingenious films" would come regularly from the factories, and would be delivered promptly and in good condition to the exhibitors, who would pay reasonable, standardized rentals; audiences would see good shows for a nickel (later the trust modified its viewpoint to embrace a dime, but never more than a dime); the public would be pleased, exhibitors would 83