Chicago and the Motion Picture Production Industry
Volume Four in the Quest for World-Class Series
The American motion picture production industry started as a flickering image in a box called a peepshow but quickly became a monopoly based on camera patents. It was a Chicago businessman who put the Patent Trust Company together and it was Chicago businessmen who led the revolt that ended the Patent Trust Company. When it was over both groups of Chicago businessmen were gone.
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The first Hollywood movie studio was founded by a Chicago motion picture production company
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The first great special effects movie was done by a Chicago movie maker
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The cowboy movie, or the sagebrush opera, was a Chicago specialty
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The serial melodramas were conceived and financed in Chicago
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In the first decade of the silent film era more New York movie production studios were owned and operated by Chicago businessmen than New York businessmen
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In the 1930’s three of the five largest motion picture companies were headed by Chicago-based businessmen